May Chang Essential Oil

A celebrated ingredient in the world of natural fragrance, may chang essential oil offers an intense and complex aroma. This fruity and peppery oil pairs well with other fragrant herbs and is an amazing component of the natural scents used in Beaverton’s cold process soap bars.

A may chang branch bearing ripe fruit ; Image: Guides of Bhutan

Sometimes called “shanhujiao” in Mandarin, meaning “mountain pepper”, may chang is a fruit bearing tree that is native to the southern regions of China and parts of Southeast Asia. A member of the Lauraceae family, may chang is a distant relative to a number of other well known plants prized for their fragrance and/or flavour, including cinnamon, bay laurel, and camphor. Many parts of the tree give off attractive smells, but may chang fruits are the part that is most valued for their scent and taste. The small round fruits of the may chang tree share some resemblance with the fruits of the black pepper plant, especially when dried, and they are known for their stimulating lemony scent. Fruit of the may chang tree is used to produce aromatic essential oils and it is sometimes used as a spice in Taiwanese cuisine where it is known by the name “maqaw”. May chang fruit is also used as a component in the industrial production of vitamin A, and as a starting point for the production of some synthetic fragrances. Oils made from the fruits of the may chang tree have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and ayurvedic medicine, which employ may chang oil as a treatment for a number of ailments.

A may chang branch with flower buds in the first stages of bloom ; Image: INCIGuide

The essential oil made from may chang fruit is primarily made through steam distillation of dried material, yielding a sweet citrusy smelling oil with spicy undertones. May chang essential oil contains a significant amount of the compound citral, which is responsible for its strong citrus scent. Additional fragrant compounds found in may chang include linalool, limonene, and geraniol, all of which are found in other well loved fragrant plants, such as lavender, lemons, and geraniums respectively. This specific combination of natural scents gives may chang its eccentric aroma: energizing and calming at the same time, while also being sweet and spicy. Its this tantalizing character that makes may chang essential oil a popular ingredient in perfumes, soaps, and deodorants, including he naturally derived bar soaps of Beaverton’s.

Dried may chang fruit, resembling peppercorns ; Image: Duc Phu

Together with the spicy notes of ginger root and the herbaceous lemony smell of lemongrass, may chang adds an intoxicating touch to the Ginger Zest fragrance blend from Beaverton’s. With its unique aroma, may chang essential oil brings an uplifting and refreshing edge to the washing experience. This edge is a perfect sensual enhancement for cleansing the skin, and it also helps cleanse the sensory palette while leaving the mind in a balanced invigorated state.