Mastrante (Lippia alba)
An Ecuadorian herbal oil with a delicate mint-like aroma, traditionally diffused or applied for a calming, uplifting effect.
How to use it
3–5 drops for a light, fresh herbal note that blends well with citrus oils.
Dilute to 2–3% in a carrier oil for massage or topical use, and patch-test first.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute in a carrier oil for skin (lower for the citral chemotype)
- Phototoxic
- No
- The citral chemotype contains citral, a skin sensitiser — dilute low and patch-test.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Composition & chemistry
- Geranial (citral a) 22%
- Neral (citral b) 18%
- Limonene 12%
- β-Caryophyllene 6%
- Germacrene D 5%
- Piperitone 3%
- Other minor constituents 34%
- Citral (geranial + neral) — the lemony aldehyde pair defining the citral chemotype's aroma — and the main constituent to respect for skin sensitisation Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (2009)
Steam-distilled mastrante (Lippia alba); the plant occurs in distinct chemotypes — a citral type and a carvone type — so composition varies markedly by source.
Source: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz — citral and carvone chemotypes of Lippia alba (2009)Chemotypes
- ct. citral — Lemony, citral-rich (geranial + neral); the type shown above, calling for lower dilution due to citral.
- ct. carvone — Minty-herbal, dominated by carvone and limonene; a distinctly different aroma.
Its aroma sits somewhere between mint and a mild, lemony-green citrus-herb.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Lippia alba (mastrante) oil has been studied for antimicrobial and calming-related activity in the laboratory, with results depending heavily on chemotype. These are in-vitro findings, not clinical claims.
Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (2009)
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Mastrante's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Mastrante (Lippia alba) exists as distinct citral and carvone chemotypes, so two bottles can differ sharply in both aroma and chemistry.
Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (2009)
Frequently asked questions
Why can mastrante smell so different between bottles?
Lippia alba has distinct chemotypes — a lemony citral type and a minty carvone type. Depending on which the plant is, the oil can smell citrusy or minty-herbal, so check the source. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (2009)
Is mastrante gentle on skin?
The citral chemotype contains citral, a known sensitiser, so dilute low and patch-test. The carvone type is a different profile but still worth diluting. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (2009)
Is mastrante phototoxic?
No — mastrante isn't phototoxic. For the citral chemotype the main precaution is citral sensitisation, which calls for low dilution.
Gallery
Mastrante (Lippia alba) is a lesser-known herbal oil Young Living sources from Ecuador, where the plant grows wild at high altitude in the Andes and is known locally by names like “poleo” or “juanilama.” Long before it reached an essential oil bottle, communities in the region used the fresh plant in traditional herbal preparations.
Aroma character
Its aroma sits somewhere between mint and a mild citrus-herb — softer and less sharp than peppermint, with a gentle, almost lemony-green quality that makes it easier to layer into a blend without overpowering it.
In the diffuser
3–5 drops gives a light, fresh herbal note that blends well with citrus oils, or on its own as an easygoing background scent.
On skin
Dilute to 2–3% in a carrier oil for massage or topical use; patch-test first, since research on this less-common oil is limited compared to widely studied oils like lavender or peppermint.
What pairs well
Its mild, mint-citrus character pairs naturally with lemon, orange, or other bright citrus oils.
Sourcing note
Because Mastrante isn’t a widely traded commodity oil the way lavender or tea tree is, verified botanical sourcing matters more here than with common oils — always check that a supplier can confirm the plant source and growing region, given how easily a lesser-known oil can be adulterated or misidentified.