Occassionaly sold under the enchanting Chinese name of May chang, this essential oil is more commonly marketed under its botanical name of Litsea cubeba, and this is how we offer it at Quinessence. It is also occasionally referred to as Exotic Verbena or Tropical Verbena, although despite the references to verbena the plant is not related in any way to true verbena (Lippia citriodora). The association to this name would appear to be due to the similarity in fragrance. Read more…

Elemi is the soft, fragrant oleoresin obtained from the trunk of the Canarium luzonicum tree, which is also botanically known as C. commune. Native to Tayabas in the Philippines where it is known as ‘Pili’, this fragrant, tropical tree or shrub grows in South and Central America, Australia, Brazil, India, the Malay Peninsula and Moluccas.
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The cinnamon tree belongs to the Lauraceae family and is a bushy, tropical evergreen that ranges in height from 5 metres (16ft) to 15 metres (45 ft) depending on origin. The bark is rough, scaly, and highly aromatic. When stripped off and dried, this fragrant bark forms the familiar cylindrical quills that are powdered to produce what is possibly the worlds oldest and best known spice. Read more…