This essential oil that comes from the fruit of the Piper cubeba tree has been used relatively recently, since the middle of the twentieth century, but it quickly became very popular due to its bright lemon candy aroma. We collected all aroma data to the list of essential oils with the description.
What is cubeb?
Cubeb, also known as Java pepper or tailed pepper, is the fruit of the Piper cubeba plant of the pepper family, native to the Indonesian islands of Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. Cubeba is the closest relative of the black pepper, which, in fact, is obvious once you compare the fruits of the two plants. They are extremely similar in size, shape, and color. They even smell similar.
The taste, however, is quite different. Java pepper has a very bright, strong, minty, slightly camphoric, mildly spicy but quite perceptibly bitter and even partly astringent taste.
Cubeba is harvested just before it ripens when the fruit begins to turn red. It’s then left to dry in the sun until it turns brown, which is when it acquires its flavor. Inside each berry, under the tough outer shell of the fruit, there is a light (almost white) and soft inner seed, which contains most of the aromatic essential oils. By the way, it’s by the presence and color of this seed that the quality of pepper is determined: quality cubeb has few empty berries, and the seed itself has a light gray color and oily texture.
Major constituents
- Citral
- D-Limonene
- a-Terpineol
- cis-Verbenol
- Eucalyptol
- Caryophyllene
- β-Pinene
- Citronellal
Main characteristics
- Extraction process: steam distillation.
- Application: medicine, aromatherapy, massage, cosmetology, perfumery.
- Fragrance family: fruity.
- Fragrance: citrus-grassy, fresh, sweet.
Blending with other oils
Anise, fennel, myrtle, cumin, geranium, frankincense, jasmine, ginger.
Benefits of cubeb essential oil
Cubeb is an excellent remedy against depression and bad moods. This essential oil envelops you with a fruity lemony sweet aroma and gives you a boost of vitality. It helps increase performance, mental alertness, is an excellent antispasmodic for overstress, eliminates dermatological rashes caused by stressful situations.
Healing properties
The oil has an antisclerotic effect, excellent analgesic, and antispasmodic effect during neurotic headaches, heart neurosis, digestive spasms.
It increases visual acuity in case of eye fatigue and has a marked stimulating effect on the central nervous system in various types of asthenias. They use it as a remedy for chronic alcoholism and relief for hangover syndrome by acupressure.
It also has an antiseptic, deodorizing, disinfectant, general stimulating effect, which is why they use it to treat viral infections, colds, and flu. It stimulates digestion, eliminates flatulence and colic, and strengthens immunity.
Cosmetic benefits
Cubeb essential oil is used for oily skin. It controls sebum production, narrows pores, reduces inflammation of acne, and removes pigment spots. It also has an antifungal effect and reduces the greasiness of hair.
The oil also helps get rid of neurotic dermatitis in the form of rashes, spots, restoring the smoothness of the skin. An ideal accompanying remedy for neurotic skin rashes, as well as emotional distress caused by cosmetic effects. When taken internally (not applied to the skin!) with juice, 1-2 drops of cubeb oil can lead to more effective and rapid tanning and prevent sunburn.
Psycho-emotional effect
This oil is a classic adaptogen: it eliminates asthenic and depressive states, prevents overexcitation and overfatigue. It restores natural psychological rhythms and balance between sleep and wakefulness. increases the productivity of relaxation, allowing you to sleep for 6 hours and feel refreshed and rested throughout the day. The essence increases memory capacity, concentration, and receptivity to information, both intellectual and emotional. It also increases mental and physical performance, activates creative and logical thinking, helps to develop communication skills.
It relieves strong excitement, eliminates depression, promotes concentration, increases mental and physical activity, stimulates creativity. It’s an effective remedy for neurotic headaches and hangovers.
Household uses
Protects skin and home from blood-sucking insects. Excellent against bites of mosquitoes, gadflies, wasps, and bees.
Cubeb essential oil uses
- Aroma lamps/diffusers: 4-5 drops per 15 square meters (161 square feet) of space.
- Aroma pendants: 1-3 drops.
- Aroma baths: 4-7 drops mixed with 10 grams (0.3 oz.) of emulsifier (yogurt, cream, honey, salt). A session should last no more than 20 minutes.
- Massage: 4-7 drops per 10 ml (0.3 oz.) of base oil or cream.
- Skin and hair care products: 7 drops per 15 ml (0.5 oz.) of base product.
General rules for cubeb oil use
- Store in a dark place protected from sunlight.
- Do a sensitivity test before use.
- Apply only in diluted form.
- Do not apply on mucous membranes or other sensitive areas.
- This oil is phototoxic. Don’t apply to skin before going outside.
- Not suitable for children under 6 years of age.
Don’t use in case of:
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
- Prostate issues.
- Individual intolerance.
