May Chang

Springfields May Chang is a steam-distilled essential oil from China with a strong, sweet lemon fragrance. The aroma is similar to lemongrass but without the sharp edge, and it is a popular choice for a vaporiser. It is the 10 mL bottle from the Springfields 100% Pure Essential Oils range.

Product Strengths

• May chang is traditionally used in aromatherapy as a bright, refreshing lemon scent for a room.
• A single-species essential oil, not a blend and not a synthetic fragrance oil.
• Strong, sweet, complex lemon aroma; softer and rounder than lemongrass.
• Steam distilled from the small berry-like fruits, so it is not a cold-pressed citrus oil and carries no citrus phototoxicity concern.
• Country of origin: China.
• Part of the Springfields Australian aromatherapy range.

Suitable For / Not Suitable For

Suitable for: General household use.

Not suitable for: Pregnant or breastfeeding women, unless advised by a health professional.

Botanical Source

Botanical name Litsea cubeba, of the laurel family, which is why the oil smells of lemon without being a citrus at all. Plant part: the small ripe berry-like fruits. Extraction: steam distillation. Country of origin: China. The store's older label transcription mentions leaves as well as berries; the aromatherapy references and the Australian supplier we checked both give the fruit alone, so only the fruit is stated here.

How to Use

Add a few drops to a diffuser or vaporiser to scent a room. For any skin contact, dilute the oil first in a carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba or grapeseed, and keep the dilution at the low end of the usual 1 to 3 per cent adult range, because this oil is more sensitising than most. Read the Safety section below before using it on skin at all.

Safety

May Chang needs more care than its gentle aroma suggests. Both references consulted describe it as sensitising, and one advises against using it in the bath at all, even diluted, because of the irritation risk. Tisserand and Young, as summarised by AromaWeb, set a notably low maximum for leave-on skin use, advise against topical use in children under two and on hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin, and note a risk of teratogenicity, which is a reason to avoid it in pregnancy. Both the International Federation of Aromatherapists and AromaWeb flag a possible interaction with medicines metabolised by the liver enzyme CYP2B6, so if you take prescription medication, check with your pharmacist or doctor before using this oil on skin.

• Not for internal use unless under qualified supervision.
• Always dilute in a carrier oil before skin contact, at the low end of the usual 1 to 3 per cent adult range. Never apply the neat oil.
• Patch test on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours before wider use.
• Not recommended in the bath, even diluted.
• Avoid on the skin of children under two years, and on damaged or sensitive skin.
• Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless a qualified practitioner advises otherwise.
• Keep away from the eyes and mucous membranes.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Keep away from open flame, sparks and heat sources. Essential oils are flammable.

Storage

Store tightly capped in the original bottle, upright, away from heat and out of direct sunlight. An oxidised oil is more likely to irritate skin, so replace the bottle once the aroma has dulled.

Disclaimer

This is an aromatherapy product for external and environmental use. It is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Confirm directions and cautions from the product label. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

Leaves and berries