Litsea essential oil: a soft lemon scent for winding down

At first glance it goes unnoticed: an unassuming shrub bearing small berries that look like peppercorns. Crush one of those fruits between your fingers, though, and a remarkably pure lemon scent is released. That is the scent you find in litsea essential oil, one of the most pleasant oils to diffuse at home.

What is litsea?

Litsea, Litsea cubeba, is a small tree in the laurel family, alongside bay laurel and the cinnamon tree. It grows in Asia, particularly in China, where it is known as «may chang». Its species name, cubeba, refers to the appearance of its fruits, which resemble cubeb pepper. These small fruits are distilled to produce the essential oil.

According to the product sheet, our litsea essential oil has a fresh, lemony scent described as relaxing and refreshing. The organic version, in a 10 ml bottle, is presented as fresh, relaxing and balancing. To understand how essential oils are grouped according to their composition, read our guide to essential oil families.

How to use it

Our druggist recommends it for diffusion, to create a relaxing, lemon-scented atmosphere. Softer than some lemony grass oils, it often appeals to people who find lemongrass too sharp.

Step by step

• Pick your moment: litsea works well at the end of the day, to mark the shift from work to the evening.
• Go easy on the dose: a few drops in a suitable diffuser, following the device's instructions.
• Keep it short: fifteen to twenty minutes is enough; then switch off and air the room.
• Try some blends: with lavender it becomes gentler; with a woody oil such as cedar it takes on a warmer character.

An idea for the home

Place a drop on a porous stone or a small piece of untreated wood in your hallway: the scent spreads gently, without any device. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Precautions

A few simple rules. Litsea essential oil must not be swallowed or applied neat to the skin; if you would like to use it in a cosmetic preparation, ask us first about the right dilution. Avoid contact with the eyes. Do not diffuse it continuously or in a young child's bedroom. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you are under medical care, seek advice before use. Keep the bottle tightly closed, away from light and out of children's reach.

Our products

• Litsea EO – fresh, lemony scent.
• Organic litsea EO, 10 ml – from organic farming, fresh and balancing.

In short

With its soft, clear lemon scent, litsea is a safe bet for anyone new to diffusion. It works well on its own but is just as happy in a blend. To find out which of our two versions suits you, or which oil to pair it with, drop in at Droguerie Perusset in Yverdon-les-Bains: we will let you smell the difference for yourself.