Guanyang Litsea Cubeba

Guanyang Litsea Cubeba

　　Litsea cubeba, also known as mountain pepper. Before 1956, it grew wild, and locals would gather its seeds to brew refreshing drinks and use them to prevent mosquito bites. In 1957, the county’s commercial and supply departments began purchasing litsea cubeba oil for export, prompting residents to start cultivating it artificially and extracting oil from its seeds for sale. After the 1970s, as the price of litsea cubeba oil continued to rise, artificial cultivation increased significantly. By 1990, the county had over 3.88 million litsea cubeba trees, producing more than 70,000 kilograms of oil annually—ranking first in Guangxi and across China.

　　Litsea cubeba oil is a premium aromatic oil that can be processed into various fragrances and used in the formulation of multiple medicines. It holds high economic value, with the county’s commercial and supply departments annually purchasing roughly a quarter of the total value of all local specialty products.