The power of essential oils for hay fever - Litsea Cubeba
Whenever we develop a new product, every ingredient is extensively researched and selected for its scientifically backed and longstanding use in traditional remedies.
Breaze Hay Fever support products are based on a complex functional aromatherapy formulation of 10 essential oils and botanical ingredients. Each plays an important role, and together they’re proven to help you breathe easier and sleep better when hay fever and allergies strike. ¹
In this series, we’re taking a deep dive on our functional ingredients to explain the history, heritage, and science behind each, and to show how it earned its place in our award-winning formulation.
Litsea cubeba. May Chang.
Litsea Cubeba, also known as May Chang, is a small evergreen tree from the Lauraceae family, native to Southern China and parts of Southeast Asia. It typically grows between 5 and 12 metres tall. The essential oil, often referred to as the “Oil of Tranquillity”, is steam distilled from its small, round, berry-like fruits. With a fresh, citrusy scent similar to lemongrass, the oil is pale yellow in colour and known for its uplifting, refreshing, and balancing properties.
The oil’s main active compounds include citral, which makes up about 80% of its composition, linalool, nerol, and limonene. These natural constituents have been widely studied for their potential antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, contributing to the oil’s broad therapeutic uses. ²
Although relatively new to the world of essential oils, first steam distilled in the 1950s, Litsea Cubeba has quickly earned a strong reputation for its refreshing aroma and impressive natural health benefits. Despite its recent emergence in modern aromatherapy, the plant itself has a long history in traditional medicine. In Chinese and Ayurvedic practices, it has been used for centuries to ease stomach discomfort, headaches, lower back pain, and muscular aches. Its fruit was also traditionally used to support people with asthma and high blood pressure. In Taiwan, indigenous communities turned to Litsea Cubeba for treating inflammation, headaches, and even intoxication, while in Thai traditional medicine, it was valued as a natural remedy for colds, coughs, and headaches. ³
Today, Litsea Cubeba is appreciated for its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, making it a popular ingredient in skincare, where it may help address issues like cellulitis and eczema when properly diluted. In aromatherapy, it's widely used to soothe stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and support emotional balance. When blended with a carrier oil and massaged into the skin, it may help relieve muscle tension and soreness. Emerging research also points to broader health potential, studies suggest it could enhance cardiovascular health by improving blood flow to the heart. ⁴ While still in early stages, scientists are even exploring the vapour from Litsea Cubeba seeds for its possible role in lung cancer treatment. ⁵
Litsea Cubeba is a key ingredient in our hay fever blend, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests it can help reduce inflammation by interacting with key inflammatory molecules, with some studies highlighting its ability to calm inflammation in the gut. ⁶
Litsea Cubeba is a truly versatile and remarkable oil, from its longstanding use in traditional medicine to its growing reputation in aromatherapy, this citrus-scented oil offers a wide range of powerful benefits.
¹ Breaze user trial 2020 82% of users said that Breaze helped with hay fever symptoms
² https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6268156/#sec11
⁴ https://hrc.threecosmetics.com/en/essential-oil/detail/929/