Litsea cubeba (May Chang): the oil is distilled from the fruits.

Essential Oils & Aromatherapy · Essential oil

Litsea (May Chang) Oil

Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. · also called May Chang, litsea cubeba oil, litsea berry oil

Litsea oil, also called May Chang oil, is an essential oil distilled from the fruits of the Litsea cubeba tree. It contains citral, a compound that is a listed fragrance allergen. People try it for mood, as a mosquito repellent and in toothpaste. The research is small, and no benefit is proven. The main caution: do not swallow it, and do not use it undiluted on skin, because it is an irritant and a skin sensitiser.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Litsea (May Chang) Oil

Litsea oil is a citral-containing fruit oil used in perfume and aromatherapy. Safety comes first: it is not for swallowing, EFSA calls it an irritant and a skin and respiratory sensitiser, and citral is a listed fragrance allergen. Benefits are weakly supported: a small mood study, a laboratory-tested mosquito spray, a combination toothpaste trial and dish studies. The one eczema trial found no added benefit from oils.

What litsea oil is

Litsea oil comes from the fruits of Litsea cubeba, a tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae, per GBIF). It is often called May Chang oil.

The oil is a mixture. One paper found citral (neral and geranial), citronellal, limonene and linalool; another called limonene the major compound; a third said oxygenated monoterpenes dominated. So the make-up changes between oils and studies.

Different materials are studied under the same name: fruit oil, seed oil and blends or products with other ingredients. They are not the same, and results for one do not carry over to another.

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What people use it for, and how strong the evidence is

For mood, one study of 15 healthy people found better mood scores and lower saliva cortisol after inhaling the oil, but no control group was described. A Thai experiment saw lower alpha and beta brain-wave power, which the authors call a sedative pattern. Both are very-low certainty.

For mosquitoes, a 6% litsea oil spray gave median complete protection of 225 minutes (Culex) and 120 minutes (Aedes and Anopheles) in lab cage tests, and a 48-person patch test showed no visible reaction. That is one product in the laboratory, not field proof.

A toothpaste containing litsea and Bletilla striata improved gum scores in an 80-patient trial, but the two ingredients cannot be separated. In an 8-child eczema trial, oil massage with a blend that included litsea did no better than massage alone, and the oil group later worsened. Germ and cancer-cell results come from dishes only.

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How good is the research?

Most human studies are small, short and self-rated, and none is a large independent trial. The mood study had 15 people. The mosquito study used a single named product, and the eczema trial had 8 children.

Industry funding was not stated in most abstracts. We read the abstract of every paper cited, and we say where a result comes from a laboratory, an animal or a computer model instead of people.

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Litsea oil is not the same as other lemon-scented oils

Litsea cubeba is a laurel-family tree. Lemon is a citrus fruit and lemongrass is a grass. They are separate plants with separate research, so results for one should not be assumed for another.

Litsea seed fat is also a different product from the fruit oil covered here.

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How it is regulated

In the US, the FDA treats products intended only to cleanse or scent as cosmetics, which need no approval before sale. A product intended to treat or prevent disease is a drug. The FDA also notes that certain citrus oils safe in food can be harmful in cosmetics on sun-exposed skin. We found no litsea-specific FDA statement.

In the EU, EFSA assessed litsea berry oil as a feed flavouring and described its skin and respiratory hazard. We did not read an IFRA, SCCS, EMA or NCCIH statement on litsea oil.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Litsea species are used in traditional medicine, and L. cubeba is described as a fumigant plant used in cosmetics and foods as an essence (2020 paper; tradition, not proof).
A flavour in foods, cosmetics and cigarettes, and a raw material for making citral and other fragrance chemicals (2005 paper).
Used in aromatherapy by smelling or in diluted skin products.

Studied for research

Mood and stress hormone, smelling, very-low
Brain waves and mood, smelling, very-low
Mosquito repellent spray (6%), lab tests, low
Gum inflammation, two-ingredient toothpaste, very-low
Childhood eczema, blend massage, against
Killing germs in dishes, insufficient
Lung cancer cells in dishes (seed oil), insufficient

Main compounds

Citral (neral and geranial), a listed fragrance allergen
Limonene, named the major compound in one paper
Citronellal
Linalool

Common forms

Essential oil (steam-distilled from fruits)
Scent diffused or smelled
Diluted skin products
Ready-to-use repellent spray (as tested in one study)
Toothpaste with Bletilla striata (as tested in one trial)

Research links: Poison Control: Essential oils · FDA: Aromatherapy · EFSA opinion on litsea berry oil (abstract) · Skin sensitisation of essential oils in mice (abstract) · Litsea oil mosquito spray (abstract) · GBIF: Litsea cubeba · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Accepted scientific name: Litsea cubeba
Naming authority: (Lour.) Pers.
Common names: May Chang (English); Litsea cubeba oil (English); Litsea berry oil (English); Litsea (English)
Family or group: Lauraceae, the laurel family (GBIF).
Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Laurales > Lauraceae > Litsea > Litsea cubeba
Native range: Not checked in a source read for this page.
Habitat: Not described in the sources read.
What it looks like: Part used: EFSA assessed oil from the fruits (litsea berry oil). One cancer-cell paper used volatile oil from the seeds, a different material.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Litsea seed (kernel) fat or oil; Note: A fat from the seeds is a different product and is not covered here.; Name: Lemongrass oil; Note: An oil from a different plant (a grass) tested in the same skin-sensitisation study; results do not carry over.
Sustainability and conservation: Not checked (no IUCN or CITES source read).

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Traditional medicine and perfumery	One aromatherapy paper says Litsea species are used in traditional medicine and that L. cubeba is a potent fumigant plant used in cosmetics and foods as an essence. Another says the oil is a flavour in foods, cosmetics and cigarettes and a raw material for making citral and other fragrance chemicals. That is tradition and industry use, not proof of benefit.	Chaiyasut et al. 2020; Luo et al. 2005 (abstracts)

Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Citral (neral and geranial) PubChem 638011	monoterpene aldehyde	Fruit oil No typical value given in the abstracts read.	Described as a fragrance compound that is a listed EU fragrance allergen, and as a likely contributor to the oil's skin sensitisation (mouse test: citral EC3 6.3% against 8.4% for the oil). ^{3 8 4 19}	In vivo animal
Limonene PubChem 22311	monoterpene	Fruit oil One paper called it the major compound; no percentage in the abstract.	Acted on bacteria, fungi and yeast in dishes. Oxidised limonene (hydroperoxides) is a major fragrance allergen. ^{13 15}	Laboratory research
Citronellal	monoterpene aldehyde	Fruit oil Listed, no figure given.	Listed among compounds detected by GC-MS in the oil used for the mood study; no activity claimed in the abstract. ⁴	Not assessed
Linalool	monoterpene alcohol	Fruit oil Listed, no figure given.	Detected in the mood-study oil; hydroperoxides of linalool are named as major fragrance allergens in a general review. ^{4 15}	Not assessed

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Cell survival signal Akt (lung cancer cells in dishes)	Akt, mTOR, p53	Vapour of litsea seed oil switched off Akt and triggered cell death in A549 cells in dishes. ¹²	Laboratory research
Brain rhythms at rest (people)	EEG alpha and beta waves	Smelling the oil lowered alpha and beta power in volunteers. The route by which a smell does this was not studied. ¹¹	Human correlational

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: A laboratory skin set-up studied release of citral through skin from a litsea-based blend, finding an oil-in-water emulsion released the compounds quickly and that semi-occluded (partly covered) conditions prevented evaporation. Human absorption of the pure oil was not found.
Distribution: Not established.
Metabolism: Not established.
Elimination: Not established.
Bioavailability: Not established.

Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Litsea oil is a mixture. In a mouse skin test the whole oil acted much like its main component citral, and the study found potency of each oil did not differ significantly from that of its main component. Results for the oil should not be assumed for pure citral or limonene, or the reverse.

Nutritional composition

Litsea oil is not a nutrient and not a food to take for health.

7benefits and uses looked at

19studies and sources checked

Low certaintybest evidence rating found

6lab markers tracked in trials

1 low certainty3 very low certainty2 not enough evidence1 evidence against

What is Litsea (May Chang) Oil good for?

The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. Read the certainty label first: none is better than low, and one small trial points the other way.

Mood and stress hormone (smelling litsea oil)Very low certaintyIn one small study of 15 healthy people, breathing in litsea oil was followed by a better mood score and lower saliva cortisol. The abstract describes no placebo group, so we cannot tell how much was the oil. Brain waves and mood (smelling litsea oil)Very low certaintyIn a Thai experiment, smelling litsea oil lowered alpha and beta brain-wave power, which the authors call a sedative pattern. Litsea and turmeric oils gave better moods than garlic oil. Mosquito repellent (a 6% litsea oil spray, on skin in lab tests)Low certaintyA ready-to-use spray with 6% litsea oil protected arms in the lab for a median 225 minutes against Culex mosquitoes and 120 minutes against Aedes and Anopheles. A skin patch test in 48 people showed no visible reaction up to 96 hours. Gum inflammation (a two-ingredient toothpaste)Very low certaintyIn an 80-patient trial, a toothpaste made with Bletilla striata and litsea oil improved plaque and gum-bleeding scores at 8 and 12 weeks more than a plain toothpaste. Litsea cannot be credited alone. Childhood eczema (massage with a blend that included litsea)Evidence againstIn a tiny trial of 8 children, massage with essential oils (litsea was one of several) helped eczema no more than massage alone. Later the oil group worsened, and the authors suspected allergy to the oils. Killing germs (laboratory dishes)Not enough evidenceIn dishes, litsea fruit oil acted against many bacteria, two moulds and a yeast, and with the antibiotic ampicillin it sometimes helped. None of this was tested in people. Lung cancer cells (laboratory dishes, seed oil vapour)Not enough evidenceA 2012 dish study found that vapour from litsea SEED oils killed human lung cancer cells. It was not tested in animals or people, and the seed oil is not the same as the fruit oil sold for aromatherapy.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Mood and stress hormone (smelling litsea oil)

Very low certainty

In one small study of 15 healthy people, breathing in litsea oil was followed by a better mood score and lower saliva cortisol. The abstract describes no placebo group, so we cannot tell how much was the oil.

1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One small human inhalation study: 15 healthy volunteers, using a mood questionnaire and saliva samples.

Results

Total mood disturbance improved and confusion fell. Salivary cortisol fell at a notable level. Heart rate and blood pressure were not significantly affected. The abstract gives no figures.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

Fifteen people, no placebo or control group described, self-rated mood, and no figures in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Who was studied

Healthy adult volunteers.

Limits

Tiny sample; no control described; one-off exposure; healthy people only.

Why researchers looked

Litsea oil is used in aromatherapy and perfumery, so researchers asked whether smelling it changes mood or stress hormones.

Traditional use

Litsea species are used in traditional medicine, and the authors call L. cubeba oil a known treatment for thinking-related discomfort. That is tradition, not proof.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Skin, swallowing and breathing cautions apply (see Safety).

⁴

Brain waves and mood (smelling litsea oil)

Very low certainty

In a Thai experiment, smelling litsea oil lowered alpha and beta brain-wave power, which the authors call a sedative pattern. Litsea and turmeric oils gave better moods than garlic oil.

1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One human EEG and mood experiment in healthy volunteers. The abstract does not give the number of people.

Results

Litsea cubeba oil inhalation showed a sedative effect, seen as lower alpha and beta wave power, mainly in the frontal and temporal regions. Litsea cubeba and turmeric oils produced better positive moods than garlic oil.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

The comparison was with other smelly oils, not a neutral placebo. Brain-wave change is a lab measure, not a health outcome. The group size is not stated in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Who was studied

Healthy volunteers in Thailand.

Limits

Small experiment, short exposure, self-rated mood, outcome is a laboratory measure.

Why researchers looked

Researchers wanted to know how food-related plant smells affect the brain and mood.

Traditional use

None specific in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not established. The study measured brain activity at rest; it did not show how the smell acts.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A calmer brain-wave pattern is not a reason to use oil near people who take sedating medicines (see Safety).

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Mosquito repellent (a 6% litsea oil spray, on skin in lab tests)

Low certainty

A ready-to-use spray with 6% litsea oil protected arms in the lab for a median 225 minutes against Culex mosquitoes and 120 minutes against Aedes and Anopheles. A skin patch test in 48 people showed no visible reaction up to 96 hours.

1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One laboratory study (arm-in-cage method) and a 48-person patch test of one named spray. No field trial.

Results

Median complete protection time was 225 minutes against Culex quinquefasciatus and 120 minutes against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles dirus. No visible skin reactions up to 96 hours in 48 volunteers.

Effect sizes as reported

225 min and 120 min median complete protection time.

Why this rating

One study, one product, cage tests in a laboratory, no field testing, and no standard repellent comparison in the abstract. Authors report no competing interests.

Form and dose studied

Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Who was studied

Healthy adult volunteers and laboratory mosquitoes.

Limits

Not tested in real outdoor conditions. A short patch test does not rule out allergy. Results belong to this one spray, not to any litsea oil.

Why researchers looked

Insects are building resistance to insecticides, so researchers look for plant-based personal protection.

Traditional use

The plant is also called a fumigant plant in one paper. That is tradition, not proof.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Putting oil on skin raises the allergy cautions in the Safety tab. This is not a replacement for tested repellents.

¹⁴

Gum inflammation (a two-ingredient toothpaste)

Very low certainty

In an 80-patient trial, a toothpaste made with Bletilla striata and litsea oil improved plaque and gum-bleeding scores at 8 and 12 weeks more than a plain toothpaste. Litsea cannot be credited alone.

1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised controlled trial of 80 patients with plaque-induced gingivitis, 12 weeks.

Results

Plaque (TmQHI) and bleeding (SBI) scores fell significantly at 8 and 12 weeks versus control. IL-1 beta fell at 8 and 12 weeks and was lower than control; TNF-alpha fell about the same in both groups.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

Two ingredients tested together, abstract describes it as preliminary, and no numbers are given.

Form and dose studied

Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Who was studied

Adults with plaque-induced gingivitis.

Limits

Combination product; no way to separate litsea from Bletilla; one trial.

Why researchers looked

Gum disease starts with plaque and inflammation, and plant ingredients are tested as helpers.

Traditional use

None specific in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Toothpaste is not a way to swallow essential oil; see Safety.

¹⁰

Childhood eczema (massage with a blend that included litsea)

Evidence against

In a tiny trial of 8 children, massage with essential oils (litsea was one of several) helped eczema no more than massage alone. Later the oil group worsened, and the authors suspected allergy to the oils.

1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One small randomised single-case design with 8 children, from the year 2000.

Results

Both groups improved. There was no significant difference between massage with oils and massage alone. After two further 8-week periods, the oil group got worse, which the authors say strongly suggests possible allergic contact dermatitis.

Effect sizes as reported

No difference between groups.

Why this rating

The only skin trial found showed no added benefit from the oils and a possible allergy signal, though it was tiny and used a mixed blend.

Form and dose studied

Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Who was studied

Children with atopic eczema.

Limits

Eight children; blend of up to 8 oils chosen by mothers; allergy was suspected, not confirmed.

Why researchers looked

Mothers wanted a gentle extra treatment for eczema, and oil massage is a popular idea.

Traditional use

None specific in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

This study raised a possible allergy signal (see Safety).

Killing germs (laboratory dishes)

Not enough evidence

In dishes, litsea fruit oil acted against many bacteria, two moulds and a yeast, and with the antibiotic ampicillin it sometimes helped. None of this was tested in people.

2 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None. Laboratory and computer work only.

Results

The oil and limonene worked against bacteria, fungi and yeast in dishes, with more effect on fungi and yeast than on bacteria. With ampicillin, litsea oil gave moderate or strain-dependent enhancement.

Effect sizes as reported

Not applicable to people.

Why this rating

Laboratory dish studies only.

Form and dose studied

Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Who was studied

Laboratory bacteria, moulds and yeast.

Limits

No animal or human data in these papers.

Why researchers looked

Antibiotic resistance is a problem, so plant oils are screened for germ-killing power.

Traditional use

None specific in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

The oil is a mixture. Limonene was tested alone in one study and also acted on germs; citral came up in a computer model. Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Lab results do not mean it is safe or useful to use the oil on an infection.

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Lung cancer cells (laboratory dishes, seed oil vapour)

Not enough evidence

A 2012 dish study found that vapour from litsea SEED oils killed human lung cancer cells. It was not tested in animals or people, and the seed oil is not the same as the fruit oil sold for aromatherapy.

1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None.

Results

The vapour killed A549 lung cancer cells in dishes through apoptosis and a block in the cell cycle.

Effect sizes as reported

Not applicable to people.

Why this rating

One cell-line study, from 2012, on seed oil.

Form and dose studied

Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.

Who was studied

A human cancer cell line.

Limits

Cells in dishes; seed oil; no safe-exposure information.

Why researchers looked

Researchers screen plant oils for effects on cancer cells.

Traditional use

None specific in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

In the dish study, the vapour switched off Akt, a cell survival signal, and set off cell death (apoptosis).

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

This is not cancer treatment and must not replace medical care.

¹²

Connections to the rest of health

How Litsea (May Chang) Oil connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Stress Reduction	Very low certainty	Mood and stress hormone (smelling litsea oil): In one small study of 15 healthy people, breathing in litsea oil was followed by a better mood score and lower saliva cortisol. The abstract describes no placebo group, so we cannot tell how much was the oil. Brain waves and mood (smelling litsea oil): In a Thai experiment, smelling litsea oil lowered alpha and beta brain-wave power, which the authors call a sedative pattern. Litsea and turmeric oils gave better moods than garlic oil.	^{4 11}
Calm Relaxation	Very low certainty	Mood and stress hormone (smelling litsea oil): In one small study of 15 healthy people, breathing in litsea oil was followed by a better mood score and lower saliva cortisol. The abstract describes no placebo group, so we cannot tell how much was the oil. Brain waves and mood (smelling litsea oil): In a Thai experiment, smelling litsea oil lowered alpha and beta brain-wave power, which the authors call a sedative pattern. Litsea and turmeric oils gave better moods than garlic oil.	^{4 11}
Seasonal Wellness	Low certainty	Mosquito repellent (a 6% litsea oil spray, on skin in lab tests): A ready-to-use spray with 6% litsea oil protected arms in the lab for a median 225 minutes against Culex mosquitoes and 120 minutes against Aedes and Anopheles. A skin patch test in 48 people showed no visible reaction up to 96 hours.	¹⁴
Healthy Skin	Evidence against	Childhood eczema (massage with a blend that included litsea): In a tiny trial of 8 children, massage with essential oils (litsea was one of several) helped eczema no more than massage alone. Later the oil group worsened, and the authors suspected allergy to the oils.	¹
Immune Support	Not enough evidence	Killing germs (laboratory dishes): In dishes, litsea fruit oil acted against many bacteria, two moulds and a yeast, and with the antibiotic ampicillin it sometimes helped. None of this was tested in people.	^{13 6}
Longevity	Not enough evidence	Lung cancer cells (laboratory dishes, seed oil vapour): A 2012 dish study found that vapour from litsea SEED oils killed human lung cancer cells. It was not tested in animals or people, and the seed oil is not the same as the fruit oil sold for aromatherapy.	¹²

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nervous System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Mood and stress hormone (smelling litsea oil) Studied for: Brain waves and mood (smelling litsea oil)	^{4 11}
Integumentary System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Mosquito repellent (a 6% litsea oil spray, on skin in lab tests) Studied for: Childhood eczema (massage with a blend that included litsea)	^{14 1}
Digestive System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Gum inflammation (a two-ingredient toothpaste)	¹⁰
Immune System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Killing germs (laboratory dishes)	^{13 6}
Respiratory System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Lung cancer cells (laboratory dishes, seed oil vapour)	¹²

E. Health conditions

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Contact dermatitis		Documented risk	EFSA calls the oil a skin sensitiser; citral is a listed fragrance allergen; a mouse test found weak sensitisation. No human case series was found. Preparation or compound: Litsea oil and citral on the skin	^{5 3 8}

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Salivary cortisol	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁴
Profile of Mood States (total mood disturbance)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁴
Brain-wave (EEG) alpha and beta power	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹¹
Complete protection time against mosquito bites	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: increase. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁴
Plaque index and sulcus bleeding index	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁰
Skin reaction in a patch test	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: neutral. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁴

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Akt (AKT1)	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Switched off by seed-oil vapour in lung cancer cells in dishes.	¹²

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Citral (neral and geranial)	Biological association	In vivo animal	Described as a fragrance compound that is a listed EU fragrance allergen, and as a likely contributor to the oil's skin sensitisation (mouse test: citral EC3 6.3% against 8.4% for the oil). Preparation or compound: Fruit oil	^{3 8 4 19}
Limonene	Biological association	In vitro	Acted on bacteria, fungi and yeast in dishes. Oxidised limonene (hydroperoxides) is a major fragrance allergen. Preparation or compound: Fruit oil	^{13 15}
Citronellal	Biological association	Not assessed	Listed among compounds detected by GC-MS in the oil used for the mood study; no activity claimed in the abstract. Preparation or compound: Fruit oil	⁴
Linalool	Biological association	Not assessed	Detected in the mood-study oil; hydroperoxides of linalool are named as major fragrance allergens in a general review. Preparation or compound: Fruit oil	^{4 15}

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

The evidence

The research centre for Litsea (May Chang) Oil. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Mood and stress hormone (smelling litsea oil) 1 studies Very low certainty Brain waves and mood (smelling litsea oil) 1 studies Very low certainty Mosquito repellent (a 6% litsea oil spray, on skin in lab tests) 1 studies Low certainty Gum inflammation (a two-ingredient toothpaste) 1 studies Very low certainty Childhood eczema (massage with a blend that included litsea) 1 studies Evidence against Killing germs (laboratory dishes) 2 studies Not enough evidence Lung cancer cells (laboratory dishes, seed oil vapour) 1 studies Not enough evidence

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 15 PubMed papers and the Poison Control and FDA pages, checked the plant name in GBIF and the compounds in PubChem. We did not find or read an IFRA, SCCS, EMA, NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed statement.

Study library: every study we checked 19

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Anderson 2000 Evaluation of massage with essential oils on childhood atopic eczema. Phytother Res · PMID 10960901 · DOI	Randomised single case experimental design	8 8 children with atopic eczema	Massage with a mixture of oils chosen by the mothers (included Litsea cubeba among 8 oils used), versus massage alone Blend of essential oils, massage Not reported here 8 weeks, then follow-up periods · vs Counselling and massage without essential oils	Both groups improved. There was no significant difference between massage with essential oils and massage alone. Later, the oil group worsened after two further 8-week periods, which the authors say strongly suggests possible allergic contact dermatitis from the oils. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Daily itch-irritation and night-disturbance scores; general improvement ratings Limitations: Only 8 children. Litsea was one oil of several, so nothing is specific to litsea. Allergy was suspected, not tested. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Binder 2016 Adverse Phototoxic Effect of Essential Plant Oils on NIH 3T3 Cell Line after UV Light Exposure. Cent Eur J Public Health · PMID 27755863 · DOI	Laboratory cell study in vitro	Mouse fibroblast cells in dishes	Bergamot oil, Litsea cubeba oil, orange oil and citral, with and without UV light essential oils and citral Not reported here Laboratory tests · vs Non-irradiated cells	EC50 values ranged from 0.0023% v/v for bergamot oil to 0.018% v/v for citral. UV light increased oxidative stress. The authors report changes in cell survival, stress and DNA after exposure to all tested substances, and concluded orange oil was phototoxic and bergamot probably so. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cell survival, oxidative stress and DNA damage Limitations: Cells in dishes; the abstract does not give a litsea-specific phototoxicity verdict. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Capetti 2024 A New Blend of Litsea cubeba, Pinus mugo, and Cymbopogon winterianus Essential Oil Active as an Anti-tyrosinase Ingredient in Topical Formulations. Planta Med · PMID 38081308 · DOI	Laboratory formulation and skin delivery study in vitro	Laboratory skin-penetration set-up	Blend of Litsea cubeba, Pinus mugo and Cymbopogon winterianus oils essential oil blend Not reported here Laboratory tests · vs n/a	States that citral (a mixture of neral and geranial) is a fragrance compound in several essential oils and is listed as an allergen among the 26 fragrances in Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Directive. The blend was designed to lower the citral concentration to avoid potential skin reactions. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Release of citral and other compounds through the skin in the laboratory Limitations: Laboratory delivery study, not a human allergy study. The safety statement about citral comes from the authors, not from a patch test. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract
Chaiyasut 2020 Effects of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Persoon Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Mood States and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Healthy Volunteers. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 32774414 · DOI	Small human inhalation study	15 15 healthy volunteers	Litsea cubeba essential oil, inhaled essential oil (a vapour) Not reported here Not stated in the abstract · vs Not described in the abstract	Inhaling the oil improved total mood disturbance and reduced confusion. Salivary cortisol fell at a notable level. Heart rate and blood pressure were not significantly affected. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Mood (Profile of Mood States questionnaire), salivary cortisol, heart rate, blood pressure Limitations: Only 15 people. The abstract describes no placebo or control group. Mood is self-rated. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) 2021 Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the fruits of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (litsea berry oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA J · PMID 34135999 · DOI	Regulatory safety opinion (animal feed additive) regulatory	Target animal species and consumers (risk assessment)	Litsea berry oil from the fruits of Litsea cubeba fruit essential oil Not reported here n/a · vs n/a	The panel concluded the oil should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes, and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Calculated safe levels in feed differed by species; cats had the lowest of the species listed. No consumer-safety concern at the highest safe feed level. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Safety for animals, consumers and environment; skin and respiratory hazard Limitations: About oil mixed into animal feed, not skin use or diffusers. The skin and respiratory hazard statement is the part that applies to handling the oil. Funding and conflicts: Regulator opinion; requested by the European Commission, application by the feed-additive industry body (FEFANA). Read: abstract
Hulea 2026 Chemical Profiling, Ampicillin Interaction Patterns, and Exploratory Molecular Docking of Lauraceae Essential Oils. Int J Mol Sci · PMID 41683870 · DOI	Laboratory and computer study in vitro and in silico	Nine bacterial strains in the laboratory; computer docking	Litsea cubeba essential oil (with two other Lauraceae oils), alone and with ampicillin essential oil Not reported here Laboratory tests · vs Ampicillin alone	Litsea cubeba oil was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes. It showed moderate or strain-dependent enhancement of ampicillin in some bacteria; laurel oil was the strongest potentiator. In the computer part, alpha- and beta-citral scored as hit compounds. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Antibacterial growth suppression and combination effects with ampicillin Limitations: Laboratory and computer modelling only. Nothing was tested in people or animals. Funding and conflicts: Declares no conflicts of interest. Funded by University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" Timisoara. Read: abstract
Kejlova 2010 Phototoxicity of essential oils intended for cosmetic use. Toxicol In Vitro · PMID 20688147 · DOI	Laboratory skin model tests plus a small human photopatch test human and in vitro	Skin models; a limited group of human volunteers	Orange, lemon and Litsea cubeba essential oils essential oils Not reported here Laboratory tests · vs n/a	Phototoxicity depended on the content of photoactive components and the solvent. 3 of 8 tested oils evoked a phototoxic reaction in the human photopatch test. The abstract does not say which oils. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Phototoxic potential (skin reaction to light after exposure) Limitations: The abstract gives no result specific to litsea oil, so it cannot be said whether litsea oil was phototoxic. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Lalko 2006 Investigation of the dermal sensitization potential of various essential oils in the local lymph node assay. Food Chem Toxicol · PMID 16324777 · DOI	Animal skin sensitisation test (local lymph node assay) mouse	Mice	Litsea cubeba oil (among 7 oils), plus citral, eugenol and geraniol essential oil Not reported here Laboratory test · vs Other oils and pure components	Litsea cubeba oil: EC3 8.4%, classed weak. Citral alone: 6.3%. The potency of each oil did not differ significantly from that of its main component. EC3 8.4% (litsea cubeba oil), 6.3% (citral) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: EC3 value (the lowest concentration giving a positive sensitisation response; lower means stronger) Limitations: Mouse test, not a human test. Who funded it is not stated in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Luo 2005 Acute and genetic toxicity of essential oil extracted from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. J Food Prot · PMID 15771186 · DOI	Animal acute and genetic toxicity tests mouse and rat	Mice and rats	Litsea cubeba fruit essential oil fruit essential oil Not reported here Acute tests · vs n/a	Oral LD50 about 4,000 mg/kg, skin LD50 over 5,000 mg/kg, inhalation LC50 about 12,500 ppm in rodents; the authors called the oil slightly toxic. Gene-damage tests were negative in bacteria and in mice. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Oral, skin and inhalation lethal dose and concentration; gene-damage tests Limitations: Rodent tests of short-term poisoning. They do not give a safe amount for people and say nothing about allergy, children or long-term use. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Mao 2026 Effect of Bletilla striata-Litsea cubeba Toothpaste on Clinical Indicators and Inflammatory Factor Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Patients with Biofilm-Induced Gingivitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Oral Health Prev Dent · PMID 42808715 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	80 80 patients with plaque-induced gingivitis	Toothpaste containing Bletilla striata and Litsea cubeba, versus a negative control toothpaste Combination toothpaste (the litsea part of the product is not described in the abstract) Not reported here 12 weeks (checks at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks) · vs Negative control toothpaste	Plaque and bleeding scores fell significantly at 8 and 12 weeks in the toothpaste group, with earlier and greater improvement than the control. IL-1 beta fell at 8 and 12 weeks and was lower than control; IL-6 fell earlier; TNF-alpha reductions were similar in both groups. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Plaque index (TmQHI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), and gum-fluid IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha Limitations: Two-ingredient product: nothing can be credited to litsea alone. The abstract gives no numbers for the scores. Described as a preliminary evaluation. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Sattayakhom 2021 Effects of Thai Local Ingredient Odorants, Litsea cubeba and Garlic Essential Oils, on Brainwaves and Moods. Molecules · PMID 34063337 · DOI	Human brain wave (EEG) and mood experiment	Healthy volunteers (number not given in the abstract)	Litsea cubeba essential oil (several dilutions), inhaled, compared with garlic and turmeric oils essential oil (a vapour) Not reported here Not stated in the abstract · vs Garlic and turmeric oils	Litsea cubeba oil inhalation showed a sedative pattern, with alpha and beta wave power reductions in the frontal and temporal regions. Litsea cubeba and turmeric oils gave better positive moods than garlic oil. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Resting EEG (alpha and beta wave power) and self-rated mood Limitations: Number of volunteers not in the abstract. Brain-wave change is not the same as a health benefit. The comparison was with other smells, not a neutral placebo. Funding and conflicts: Declares no conflict of interest. Funded by Walailak University (Research Institute for Health Sciences) and Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund. Read: abstract
Seal 2012 Vapor of volatile oils from Litsea cubeba seed induces apoptosis and causes cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells. PLoS One · PMID 23091605 · DOI	Laboratory cell study in vitro	Human lung cancer cell line (A549) in dishes	Vapour of volatile oils from Litsea cubeba SEEDS seed volatile oils (vapour) Not reported here Laboratory tests · vs Untreated cells (implied)	The vapour killed the cancer cells in dishes by switching off a survival signal (Akt) and triggering cell death. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cell death and cell-cycle markers Limitations: Cells in dishes only, seed oil rather than the fruit oil sold for aromatherapy. It does not show any effect on cancer in a person. Funding and conflicts: One co-author is a journal editorial board member (stated by the authors); funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Sreepian 2025 Comprehensive investigation of Litsea cubeba antibacterial and antifungal activities across solid, liquid, and vapor phases against key human pathogens. Narra J · PMID 40352192 · DOI	Laboratory study (dishes and tubes) in vitro	Bacteria, filamentous fungi and a yeast grown in the laboratory	Litsea cubeba fruit essential oil and purified limonene fruit essential oil Not reported here Laboratory tests · vs Purified limonene	The oil and limonene acted against bacteria, fungi and a yeast in dishes, and more against fungi and yeast than bacteria. Trichophyton rubrum, Nannizzia gypsea and Candida albicans were highly susceptible. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration Limitations: Laboratory only. Dish results do not show that the oil treats any infection in a person. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Sutthanont 2026 Topical mosquito repellency of a Litsea cubeba essential oil spray against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles dirus, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Sci Rep · PMID 42449186 · DOI	Laboratory arm in cage repellency test plus a human skin patch test human and mosquito	48 48 healthy volunteers (patch test); laboratory mosquito colonies	A ready-to-use spray with 6% w/w Litsea cubeba essential oil essential oil in a spray Not reported here Patch test followed for up to 96 hours; cage tests timed to first protection failure · vs None described in the abstract	No visible skin reactions up to 96 hours in the patch test. Median complete protection times were 225 minutes against Culex quinquefasciatus and 120 minutes against both Aedes aegypti and Anopheles dirus. 225 min (Culex) and 120 min (Aedes and Anopheles) median complete protection in cages Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Skin reactions after a patch test; time to complete protection in arm-in-cage tests Limitations: Laboratory and short patch test of ONE named spray. No semi-field or field testing, and no comparison with a standard repellent in the abstract. A 48-person patch test cannot rule out allergy in the wider public. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Uter 2017 Contact allergy to fragrances: current clinical and regulatory trends. Allergol Select · PMID 30402616 · DOI	Narrative review review	Review of fragrance contact allergy and EU SCCS opinion (2012)	Fragrance allergens in general n/a Not reported here n/a · vs n/a	Fragrances are important contact allergens. 26 are already identified as ones to declare in cosmetics, and about 100 more substances and extracts should be considered allergens. For limonene and linalool, hydroperoxides formed by air exposure (autoxidation) are the major allergens. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Which fragrances are important contact allergens Limitations: General fragrance review, not about litsea oil specifically. Citral is not discussed in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
n/a 2026 Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center): Essential oils: Poisonous when misused (page read 2026-10-25) n/a · Source	Poison centre education page n/a	n/a	n/a n/a Not reported here n/a · vs n/a	General essential-oil page, not about litsea. Says some oils can be poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through skin; aspirating an oil can cause pneumonia; children have thin skin and immature livers and may be more susceptible; diluting pure oils in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad skin reaction; do not use oils on damaged skin; it can be hard to know the species, concentration or contaminants in a bottle; oils must be locked away from children and pets; if swallowed call a poison centre (US 1-800-222-1222). Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Safety statements for essential oils in general Limitations: Not specific to litsea oil. Read: full-text
n/a 2026 US FDA: Aromatherapy (page read 2026-10-25) n/a · Source	Regulator web page n/a	n/a	n/a n/a Not reported here n/a · vs n/a	Products intended only to cleanse or scent are cosmetics, which do not need FDA approval before sale; products intended to treat or prevent disease or affect body function are drugs. Notes that certain citrus oils used safely in food can be harmful in cosmetics, particularly on skin exposed to the sun. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: How aromatherapy and essential-oil products are regulated Limitations: General page, not about litsea oil. Read: full-text
n/a 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (match API read 2026-10-25) n/a · Source	Registry or database n/a	n/a	n/a n/a Not reported here n/a · vs n/a	Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers.: rank species, status ACCEPTED, exact match, confidence 99, species key 3033977, family Lauraceae, order Laurales. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Accepted name and family Limitations: Synonyms were not listed in the match response. Read: full-text
n/a 2026 PubChem: citral (CID 638011), neral (CID 643779) and limonene (CID 22311) (read 2026-10-25) n/a · Source	Registry or database n/a	n/a	n/a n/a Not reported here n/a · vs n/a	Citral CID 638011 (formula C10H16O, (2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal; the name geranial maps here); neral CID 643779 (C10H16O); limonene CID 22311 (C10H16). Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Compound identity Limitations: Identity only; no content figures. Read: full-text

What we do not know yet

What the evidence supports: mosquito spray is low certainty; everything else is very-low, insufficient or against.
No placebo-controlled trial of litsea oil for mood, stress or sleep was found.
No field trial of litsea oil as a mosquito repellent was found.
No human allergy data for pure litsea oil, and no study in pregnancy, breastfeeding, children or pets.
No IFRA, SCCS, EMA, NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed statement was read.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 6

●

Salivary cortisol

Decrease in trials

A stress hormone measured in spit. It rises and falls through the day and with stress.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used as a rough marker of stress in the mood study.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One small study with no control group described. A lower cortisol number is not proof of less stress.

Safety implication

Not a safety measure.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	Fell at a notable level after inhaling litsea oil in 15 healthy volunteers (no figures in the abstract).

⁴

●

Profile of Mood States (total mood disturbance)

Decrease in trials

A questionnaire where people rate feelings such as tension, confusion and tiredness. A lower total means a calmer mood.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main mood outcome of the inhalation study.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Self-rated, small, no control group described.

Safety implication

Not a safety measure.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	Total mood disturbance improved and confusion fell after inhaling litsea oil.

⁴

●

Brain-wave (EEG) alpha and beta power

Decrease in trials

The strength of two kinds of electrical rhythm recorded from the scalp. Lower alpha and beta power at rest is often described as a more sedated state.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to see how smelling the oil changes brain activity.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A laboratory measure that does not show a health benefit.

Safety implication

A sedative pattern is a reason to be careful with sedating medicines, though no interaction has been reported.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹¹	Alpha and beta power fell during litsea oil inhalation, mostly in frontal and temporal regions.

¹¹

●

Complete protection time against mosquito bites

Increase in trials

How long a treated arm stays free of mosquito landings or bites in a standard cage test.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main outcome of the repellent study.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A controlled lab result for one spray; not field proof.

Safety implication

Not a safety measure.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	Median 225 minutes against Culex quinquefasciatus; 120 minutes against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles dirus.

¹⁴

●

Plaque index and sulcus bleeding index

Decrease in trials

Dentist scores for how much plaque is on the teeth and how easily the gums bleed. Lower is better.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main outcomes of the toothpaste trial.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Combination product, preliminary trial, no numbers in the abstract.

Safety implication

Not a safety measure.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁰	Both fell significantly at 8 and 12 weeks in the Bletilla and litsea toothpaste group, with earlier and greater improvement than the control.

¹⁰

●

Skin reaction in a patch test

Neutral in trials

Whether a product left on the skin for a time causes redness or other visible reaction.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Short-term skin tolerance of the repellent spray.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Reassuring for that spray in that group, but a short test in 48 people cannot rule out allergy in others, and it does not cover pure oil.

Safety implication

Does not apply to undiluted oil, which sources treat as an irritant and sensitiser.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	No visible skin reaction up to 96 hours in 48 healthy volunteers using a 6% litsea spray.

¹⁴

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 7

Do not swallow litsea oil, or any essential oil.. Poison Control says some essential oils are poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin, and that oil getting into the lungs when someone chokes can cause pneumonia. No litsea-specific poisoning case was found, and no safe amount is established. In rodent tests the oil was called slightly toxic, but that does not give a safe amount for people. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. If someone may have swallowed it, call poison control (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number. Authoritative guidance ^{16 9}
Skin: litsea oil is an irritant and a sensitiser, and citral is a listed allergen.. The EU's feed-safety panel (EFSA) said the oil should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Citral, a compound reported in litsea oil, is on the EU list of 26 fragrance allergens. In a mouse test litsea cubeba oil was a weak sensitiser (citral on its own was also weak). In a tiny eczema trial, children given a blend that included litsea got worse, and the authors suspected allergy to the oils. Allergy can build up with repeated contact. Regulatory ^{5 3 8 1}
Do not put it on skin undiluted, and not on damaged skin.. Poison Control says pure essential oils are potent, that diluting in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad skin reaction, and that oils should not be used on damaged skin. We found no litsea-specific dilution figure and give none. If a rash, itching or burning appears, stop and wash the oil off. Authoritative guidance ¹⁶
Breathing: EFSA calls it a respiratory sensitiser.. EFSA's opinion says to treat the oil as a respiratory sensitiser. We found no study of litsea oil in people with asthma, so be cautious if you have asthma or sensitive airways. Ask a doctor or pharmacist. Regulatory ⁵
Pets, especially cats.. EFSA's animal-feed opinion gave cats the lowest calculated safe level of the species listed. That is about oil mixed into food, not skin or diffuser use, and we found no study of diffused litsea oil around pets. Keep the oil away from pets and do not put it on them. Regulatory ^{5 16}
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children: no litsea-specific safety data.. No study of litsea oil in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children was found. Poison Control says children have thin skin and immature livers and may be more susceptible to toxic effects. Safety here is not known. Ask a doctor or pharmacist. Insufficient ¹⁶
Sun sensitivity: not settled for litsea.. Litsea cubeba oil was included in two laboratory phototoxicity studies, but the abstracts do not give a litsea-specific answer. The FDA notes that certain citrus oils are harmful in cosmetics on sun-exposed skin. Litsea is not a citrus plant, but litsea oil has not been shown to be free of this risk. Be careful in strong sun. Laboratory ^{7 2 17}

Side effects 4

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Skin irritation or allergic rash (contact dermatitis) A 48-person patch test of a 6% spray showed no visible reaction up to 96 hours, which is reassuring for that spray only.	No frequency found for litsea oil.	Not stated. Poison Control advises stopping and washing the oil off.	Regulatory ^{5 3 8}
Possible worsening of eczema Authors suspected allergic contact dermatitis; not confirmed, and litsea was one of several oils.	Seen in a trial of 8 children using a blend of up to 8 oils.	Not stated. Not stated.	Clinical trial ¹
Eye irritation EFSA says the oil should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes.	Not found.	Not stated. Not stated.	Regulatory ⁵
Breathing problems in sensitised people EFSA calls the oil a respiratory sensitiser; no human data on asthma were found.	Not found.	Not stated. Not stated.	Regulatory ⁵

Liver

No liver injury linked to litsea oil was described in the sources we read. LiverTox was not checked. Poison Control notes that some essential oils are toxic to the liver when swallowed (it names pennyroyal), which is one more reason not to swallow oils. ¹⁶

How often. Not established.

Monitoring. Not applicable.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Litsea (May Chang) Oil supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 4

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Sleep aids, sedatives and anti-anxiety medicines sleep-and-sedating-medicines	Theoretical: smelling the oil gave a sedative brain-wave pattern in one small study.	No case or trial of an interaction was found. The question comes only from a brain-wave experiment.	Theoretical Not enough evidence ¹¹	Tell a pharmacist about aromatherapy if you take sleep or anxiety medicine.
Other scented products containing citral or other fragrance allergens other-fragrance-products	Allergy risk adds up across products with the same allergens (general principle from the fragrance-allergy literature).	No litsea-specific report found.	Theoretical Not enough evidence ^{15 3}	If you already react to fragranced products, ask a doctor or pharmacist before using litsea oil.
Ampicillin and other antibiotics antibiotics	In laboratory dishes litsea oil sometimes boosted ampicillin against bacteria.	Laboratory only; no human interaction is known.	Laboratory Not enough evidence ⁶	Do not use litsea oil on an infection in place of prescribed treatment.
Prescription medicines in general medicines-general	No data.	No drug-interaction studies for litsea oil were found; no LiverTox or other drug-interaction source was read.	Insufficient Not enough evidence	Tell your pharmacist you use essential oils.

Who should check first 4

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Swallowing essential oil, especially by or near children	Do not swallow. If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number.	Authoritative guidance ¹⁶
Known fragrance or citral allergy, or eczema-prone or damaged skin	Avoid. Citral is a listed fragrance allergen and the oil is a skin sensitiser.	Regulatory ^{5 3}
Asthma or sensitive airways	Be cautious and ask a doctor. The oil is called a respiratory sensitiser, and no asthma data were found.	Regulatory ⁵
Around cats and other pets	Keep away from pets. No study of diffused or skin-applied litsea oil in pets was found.	Regulatory ^{5 16}

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. In rodent tests litsea fruit oil was called slightly toxic when swallowed or applied to skin, and gene-damage tests were negative. No toxic amount for people is established and none is stated here.

Amounts. No safe amount is established, and this page gives none.

Onset and course. Not described for litsea.

Repeated use. Not described, apart from the eczema trial's suspected allergy after repeated use.

Animal data. Mice and rats: oral lethal dose about 4,000 mg/kg, skin over 5,000 mg/kg, inhalation about 12,500 ppm in one 2005 study; gene-damage tests negative. These are short-term animal figures, not human guidance.

Toxic parts. The oil is the concentrated distillate of the fruits (EFSA assessed fruit oil). A seed oil used in one cancer-cell study is a different material.

Not read. IFRA standards for litsea oil, the full SCCS opinion on citral, LiverTox, LactMed, veterinary case reports, and any poison-centre case series for litsea.

Poison Control notes it can be hard to know what is in a bottle. Studies describe fruit oil, seed oil and blends, and the main compound reported differs between papers.

Unknown species, strength and contaminants. Poison Control says it can be hard to know what species, concentration or contaminants are in an essential oil bottle. ¹⁶

Different compositions. One paper listed citral, citronellal, limonene and linalool in the oil; another named limonene as the major compound. Citral content is not the same in every oil. ^{4 13}

Oils change with air. For limonene and linalool, the main allergens in fragranced products are the hydroperoxides that form when the oil is exposed to air. Litsea oil contains limonene in some analyses, so old or air-exposed oil may be more allergenic; this is a general principle and was not tested for litsea. ^{15 13}

Body	Action	Date
EFSA FEEDAP Panel (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Opinion on litsea berry oil as a feed flavouring: the oil should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes and a skin and respiratory sensitiser; safe levels in feed set by species; no consumer concern at the highest safe feed level; recognised to flavour food. source	2021
EU Cosmetics Directive, Annex III (as described by Capetti et al. 2024) (European Union)	Citral is listed among 26 fragrance allergens in Annex III of the Cosmetics Directive 2003/15/EC. source	2003 (Directive)
US Food and Drug Administration (United States)	Aromatherapy products intended only to cleanse or scent are cosmetics and need no FDA approval before sale; products intended to treat disease are drugs. No litsea-specific statement. source	Page read 2026-10-25

When to get medical help

If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number right away.
Swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, or a spreading rash after contact with an oil needs urgent medical care.
Choking or coughing after oil is swallowed can mean it has entered the lungs: seek emergency care.
A rash, itching or burning after use: stop and wash the oil off, and see a doctor if it does not clear.

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is litsea oil safe to swallow?

No. Do not swallow essential oil. Poison Control warns that some oils are poisonous if swallowed and that oil entering the lungs can cause pneumonia. We found no litsea case and no safe amount. If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number.

¹⁶

Can I put litsea oil on my skin?

Not undiluted. EFSA says the oil should be considered a skin and eye irritant and a skin sensitiser. Poison Control says diluting pure oils in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad skin reaction, and not to use oils on damaged skin. We give no dilution figure. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.

^{5 16}

Is litsea oil an allergen?

It can be. Citral, a compound reported in the oil, is on the EU list of 26 fragrance allergens, and EFSA calls the oil a skin sensitiser. In mice, litsea oil and citral were both weak sensitisers. A tiny eczema trial raised a possible allergy signal. A 48-person patch test of a 6% spray showed no visible reaction, which only speaks for that spray.

^{3 5 8 1 14}

Does litsea oil help mood or stress?

Possibly, but this is not proven. In one study of 15 healthy people, breathing the oil was followed by better mood scores and lower saliva cortisol, but no control group was described. Another experiment saw a sedative brain-wave pattern. Both are very-low certainty.

^{4 11}

Does litsea oil repel mosquitoes?

In one laboratory study, a 6% litsea oil spray gave median complete protection of 225 minutes against Culex and 120 minutes against Aedes and Anopheles. It was one product, tested in cages, with no field trial. It is not a replacement for tested repellents.

¹⁴

Does litsea oil help gum disease?

One 80-patient trial found that a toothpaste with Bletilla striata and litsea oil improved plaque and bleeding scores at 8 and 12 weeks versus plain toothpaste. Nothing can be credited to litsea alone, and the evidence is very-low certainty.

¹⁰

Does litsea oil help eczema?

The only trial found, of 8 children, showed no added benefit from massage with a blend of oils (litsea was one) compared with massage alone, and the authors suspected allergy later. It is a tiny study, but nothing supports using it on eczema. Ask a doctor first.

Is litsea oil safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Not known. We found no study of litsea oil in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ask a doctor or midwife before using any essential oil.

¹⁶

Is litsea oil safe for children and pets?

Not known. Poison Control says children have thin skin and immature livers and may be more susceptible to toxic effects. EFSA gave cats the lowest calculated safe level of the species it listed (in feed). Keep the oil locked away and do not put it on children or pets.

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Is it safe to diffuse or breathe litsea oil?

Not shown. EFSA calls the oil a respiratory sensitiser, and we found no study of diffused litsea oil in people with asthma. In a small study healthy volunteers inhaled it with no change in heart rate or blood pressure. Be cautious if you have asthma, and keep rooms ventilated.

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Does litsea oil make skin sensitive to the sun?

Not settled. Litsea cubeba oil was included in two laboratory phototoxicity studies, but the abstracts do not give a litsea-specific answer. The FDA warns that some citrus oils are harmful on sun-exposed skin. Be careful in strong sun.

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Does litsea oil interact with medicines?

No interaction has been reported, but little has been studied. A sedative brain-wave pattern is a theoretical reason to tell a pharmacist if you take sleep or anxiety medicine. In dishes it boosted ampicillin against some bacteria, which is not a human finding.

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We read the abstracts of 15 PubMed papers and the Poison Control and FDA pages, checked the plant name in GBIF and the compounds in PubChem. We did not find or read an IFRA, SCCS, EMA, NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed statement.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Funding was not stated in most abstracts and is flagged where unknown.

Sources 19

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Anderson C, Lis-Balchin M, Kirk-Smith M. Evaluation of massage with essential oils on childhood atopic eczema.. Phytother Res. 2000. PMID 10960901. DOI 10.1002/1099-1573(200009)14:6<452::aid-ptr952>3.0.co;2-4. (abstract)
Binder S, Hanakova A, Tomankova K, et al. Adverse Phototoxic Effect of Essential Plant Oils on NIH 3T3 Cell Line after UV Light Exposure.. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2016. PMID 27755863. DOI 10.21101/cejph.a4354. (abstract)
Capetti F, Cagliero C, Argenziano M, et al. A New Blend of Litsea cubeba, Pinus mugo, and Cymbopogon winterianus Essential Oil Active as an Anti-tyrosinase Ingredient in Topical Formulations.. Planta Med. 2024. PMID 38081308. DOI 10.1055/a-2225-7603. (abstract)
Chaiyasut C, Sivamaruthi BS, Wongwan J, et al. Effects of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Persoon Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Mood States and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Healthy Volunteers.. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020. PMID 32774414. DOI 10.1155/2020/4389239. (abstract)
EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, et al. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the fruits of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (litsea berry oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).. EFSA J. 2021. PMID 34135999. DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6623. (abstract)
Hulea A, Imbrea F, Floares Oarga D, et al. Chemical Profiling, Ampicillin Interaction Patterns, and Exploratory Molecular Docking of Lauraceae Essential Oils.. Int J Mol Sci. 2026. PMID 41683870. DOI 10.3390/ijms27031447. (abstract)
Kejlova K, Jirova D, Bendova H, et al. Phototoxicity of essential oils intended for cosmetic use.. Toxicol In Vitro. 2010. PMID 20688147. DOI 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.07.025. (abstract)
Lalko J, Api AM. Investigation of the dermal sensitization potential of various essential oils in the local lymph node assay.. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006. PMID 16324777. DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2005.10.006. (abstract)
Luo M, Jiang LK, Zou GL. Acute and genetic toxicity of essential oil extracted from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers.. J Food Prot. 2005. PMID 15771186. DOI 10.4315/0362-028x-68.3.581. (abstract)
Mao R, Yu L, Gao X, et al. Effect of Bletilla striata-Litsea cubeba Toothpaste on Clinical Indicators and Inflammatory Factor Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Patients with Biofilm-Induced Gingivitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial.. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2026. PMID 42808715. DOI 10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2776. (abstract)
Sattayakhom A, Songsamoe S, Yusakul G, et al. Effects of Thai Local Ingredient Odorants, Litsea cubeba and Garlic Essential Oils, on Brainwaves and Moods.. Molecules. 2021. PMID 34063337. DOI 10.3390/molecules26102939. (abstract)
Seal S, Chatterjee P, Bhattacharya S, et al. Vapor of volatile oils from Litsea cubeba seed induces apoptosis and causes cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells.. PLoS One. 2012. PMID 23091605. DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0047014. (abstract)
Sreepian PM, Popruk S, Rattanasinganchan P, et al. Comprehensive investigation of Litsea cubeba antibacterial and antifungal activities across solid, liquid, and vapor phases against key human pathogens.. Narra J. 2025. PMID 40352192. DOI 10.52225/narra.v5i1.1685. (abstract)
Sutthanont N, Leanpolchareanchai J, Sriwichai P, et al. Topical mosquito repellency of a Litsea cubeba essential oil spray against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles dirus, and Culex quinquefasciatus.. Sci Rep. 2026. PMID 42449186. DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-61769-z. (abstract)
Uter W. Contact allergy to fragrances: current clinical and regulatory trends.. Allergol Select. 2017. PMID 30402616. DOI 10.5414/ALX01604E. (abstract)
n/a. Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center): Essential oils: Poisonous when misused (page read 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
n/a. US FDA: Aromatherapy (page read 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
n/a. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (match API read 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
n/a. PubChem: citral (CID 638011), neral (CID 643779) and limonene (CID 22311) (read 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (full-text)

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.