Collection: Litsea Cubeba Fragrances

Litsea cubeba, commonly known as May Chang, is a small fruit-bearing tree native to China and other parts of tropical and subtropical Asia. Its tiny, pepper-like fruits yield an essential oil of exceptional vibrancy: intensely lemony, fresh, and slightly floral, with a brightness that surpasses many true citrus oils in intensity and longevity. The oil has been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine and is now a cornerstone of modern natural perfumery for its remarkable citrus radiance.

In perfumery, Litsea cubeba is celebrated as a natural alternative to synthetic lemon and citrus notes, offering superior tenacity and a more complex, rounded citrus profile. Its lemony freshness carries a subtle floral quality — almost verbena-like — that gives compositions an uplifted, Mediterranean brightness. Perfumers use Litsea cubeba in colognes, aromatic fougeres, fresh aquatics, and citrus-dominant compositions, often anchoring it with woody bases or musks to extend its natural vibrancy. It pairs magnificently with bergamot, neroli, petitgrain, lavender, and white flowers.

Fragrenza's Litsea Cubeba collection brings this sparkling, lemon-bright note to a fresh and invigorating range of dupes inspired by the most celebrated citrus-forward fragrances. Bright, natural, and beautifully accessible.