Litsea Cubeba oil, China, is also known as May Chang. A member of the Laurel family, the small tree is common throughout Asia. Although its fragrant properties were widely known for centuries, it wasn't steam distilled until about 60 years ago. Since then it has become popular and is sometimes used in place of Lemongrass. Lemongrass occasionally has an unfavorable methyl heptenone note not present in Litsea Cubeba. However, the sweet lemony high notes are virtually the same. For this reason it may be that Litsea Cubeba is preferable to Lemongrass. 
 
Species: 
Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (L. citrata Blume), fam. Lauraceae
Part: 
Fruit
Country: 
China