Why is it worth using May Chang essential oil?

Essential oils are increasingly being used in the comfort of one’s own home. This is due to the fact that they possess extremely pleasant aromas and offer health-promoting and therapeutic properties. One such oil, which is only just gaining popularity in our country, is May chang essential oil, characterised by a sweet citrus scent. As well as being ideal for aromatherapy, it is also perfect for daily skincare, massages or baths. If you’re looking for information on May chang essential oil, which is extracted from a tree native to Asia, you’ve come to the right place. In the article below, you’ll find out why it’s worth having May chang essential oil and how to use it to get the very best out of it.

What is May chang?

Before we focus on the most interesting aspect of May chang essential oil – namely its valuable properties – it’s worth finding out what May chang actually is. This oil is also known as Litsea cubeba. May chang is a tropical tree native to Asia, specifically the south-eastern part of the continent, and is most commonly found in China.

What sets the pale yellow may chang essential oil apart from others is its unique, light yet sweet scent with a hint of citrus. Some people confuse its scent with that of another, much more expensive oil extracted from lemon verbena, or withthecommonly used lemongrassoil, though it is actually more delicate than the latter.

How is May chang oil extracted?

Essential oils extracted from the Litsea cubeba tree can be divided into two types – those derived from the leaves and those from the fruit. May chang is an essential oil obtained through steam distillation of ripe fruit. The oil derived from the fruit has significantly stronger properties, particularly when it comes to aromatherapy. This is due to its higher citral content, which influences the intensity of the oil’s scent. In addition, May chang oil contains limonene, a chemical compound with strong antibacterial properties.

May Chang – an essential oil with exceptional aromatherapeutic properties

Although May Chang essential oil is exotic, it is affordable. For this reason, it is well worth having it at home to enjoy its benefits on a daily basis. May Chang essential oil can be used not only for aromatherapy but also on the skin all over the body, including the face. Its sweet and fresh scent makes it a pleasure to use.

The oil has a positive effect on the whole body, acting as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial agent. It is therefore ideal for use when suffering from colds or feeling run down, particularly as part of natural home aromatherapy. May chang essential oil is also said to help slow down the ageing process of the body, including the skin.

The valuable properties of may chang oil are also appreciated in cases of depression and severe nervousness, as it has a calming and soothing effect. It has antispasmodic properties, which are particularly important for menstrual cramps.

Another use for may chang essential oil is applying it to the skin to repel mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. It has long been known that natural repellents designed to protect us from bites are less irritating to our respiratory tracts and gentler on the skin. This does not mean, however, that they are any less effective! Homemade repellents based on natural essential oils can also be used by children. Simply combine may chang with another essential oil that has insect-repelling properties. Eucalyptus or amyris oil, for example, work well for this purpose.

Interestingly, in herbal medicine, all parts of the Litsea cubeba tree are used – the leaves, the fruit and even the bark. Asians use may chang fruit as a substitute for cubeb pepper, which resemblescardamomin appearance. Both may chang and the aforementioned pepper have the ability to lift the spirits and alleviate the symptoms of stress. Meanwhile, the ripe fruits, which are extremely aromatic and have a slightly bitter taste, are used in Chinese medicine as a raw material with pain-relieving and warming properties.

May chang for the face and body

All enthusiasts of mindful skincare should try may chang essential oil as part of their daily routines. Those with combination or oily skin in particular will appreciate the properties of this oil derived from the Asian tree. May chang has antibacterial and soothing effects, so it helps reduce skin redness, soothe acne-related blemishes and prevent new breakouts. It also has astringent properties, which can reduce the amount of sebum produced on the face.

How should you use may chang oil on your skin? First and foremost, the oil must be diluted by mixing it with another mild oil. If applied directly to the skin, it can dry it out and cause irritation, so it is recommended that you always use it in combination with another product. Borage oil or camelina oil are excellent choices, as they have soothing and calming effects. Oily products are best applied at the very end of your skincare routine, as they form an excellent barrier that allows lighter cosmetics and active ingredients to be absorbed deep into the skin. Skincare with oils also helps maintain the right level of hydration, which is particularly important for those with dry and sensitive skin.

In addition, may chang oil can also be successfully used on other parts of the body. A massage with this oil is effective in combating cellulite, especially when performed with a special body massage brush. Regular treatment of this kind improves blood circulation in the skin and, what is more, helps to smooth and firm it. Many beauty and massage salons offer a service involving body massage using this precious essential oil.

May Chang oil blends best with the following oils:

• eucalyptus,
• cinnamon,
• orange,
• ginger,
• fennel,
• tea tree.

Aromatherapy with May Chang oil – how can you make the most of its properties?

Aromatherapy using the right type of essential oil can significantly help with certain ailments, such as sleep disorders or breathing difficulties. This is no different with May Chang oil, which is recommended for regular aromatherapy to promote relaxation and calm. It is also helpful in repelling insects, so adding a few drops to the water in a diffuser can minimise the risk of being bitten to virtually zero. What’s more, the sweet and pleasant scent of the oil lifts your mood, whilst filling the room with an incredible citrus aroma that is far more pleasant than traditional air fresheners.

May chang essential oil: a closer look

Thanks to the sweet yet non-irritating scent of May Chang essential oil, it is frequently found in the fragrance compositions of branded perfumes. It is also used to scent other cosmetic products, such as natural soaps and lotions. Another interesting fact about May chang is its wide range of uses around the home. Just a few drops of the oil, combined with other natural ingredients, can help keep your home clean and fragrant. It neutralises kitchen odours, purifies the air and prevents the growth of bacteria.

It is also worth mentioning that May Chang essential oil can be used for relaxing full-body or foot baths. It reduces perspiration and has rejuvenating and detoxifying properties. Depending on personal preference, the oil can be blended with other natural oils each time to create the perfect bath blend.

The precious properties and beautiful scent of May Chang oil are sure to take the cosmetics market by storm before long. As you can see, it works well for body care, bathing, aromatherapy and many other uses, so it’s well worth making a place for it in our make-up bags. Natural essential oils are indispensable in repelling insects, particularly mosquitoes, and can also be applied to children’s delicate skin.

“Possibilities for the use of aromatherapy in a beauty salon”,J. Pal, A. Piotrowska, Research Society at the Department of Biochemistry and Fundamentals of Cosmetology, Academy of Physical Education in Kraków, al. Jana Pawła II 78

“Analysis of chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of essential oils in three species from the May Chang tree”,X. Wang, X. Liang, M. Gao, L. Wu, Y. Wang, Y. Chen, Natural Product Research and Development

“Herbal Medicine – Expanded Commission E Monographs”,M. Blumenthal, A. Goldberg, J. Brinckmann, American Botanical Council