Ylang Ylang

Cananga odorata. f. genuina

Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) is a tree of the Annonaceae family, native to South-East Asia.

Its Malay name means "flower of flowers". Its bark is grey; its bright green persistent leaves are arranged regularly along its long branches. The bunches of yellow flowers exhale a penetrating odour. Wild trees can grow to a height of twenty metres, but when cultivated, it is restricted to two or three metres to facilitate harvesting, which starts when the petals wither and their reddish base appears.

Main aromatic molecules: Sesquiterpenes (germacrene-D, α-farnesene, beta-caryophyllene), monoterpenols (linalool), esters (benzyl acetate, benzoate and salicylate).
Family: Annonaceae.
Producing organs: Flowers.
Yield: 1.8 to 2.4 kg of essential oil per 100 kg of flowers.
Equivalence: 1 ml → 31 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).

Bath
Skin application
Oral route
Respiratory route

Main properties

This essential oil is excellent for combating physical, intellectual and sexual fatigue. It is perfectly indicated in cases of stress, anxiety or sleeplessness thanks to its soothing properties. It is also a good anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatism. It revitalises the hair and regenerates tired skin by re-balancing sebum secretion.

Find all the virtues and uses of essential oils in our tips section.

recipes

Awakening the senses and libido
Rub the lower back with 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil diluted in 30 drops of sweet almond vegetable oil. Diffuse in the bedroom 5 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil + 15 drops of white sandalwood essential oil. From 15 years old.

Relaxation and optimism
Pour 2 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil + 5 drops of patchouli essential oil diluted in 2 tablespoons of neutral bath and shower base or skimmed milk into a warm bath. Adults only

Brittle & devitalized hair
Mix 5 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut and argan vegetable oils in equal parts. Apply to the scalp, lengths and ends of the hair. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash hair with a mild shampoo. From 12 years old.

CULTIVATION AND PRODUCTION

Ylang-ylang grows wild in hot and moist forests, in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The trees flower year-round, though the flowers are more intense during the monsoon season. They are cultivated in the Pacific isles that offer the same climatic conditions. Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Comoros are producer countries. France produces one of the best available qualities on the Reunion island, where the tree was introduced in 1880. Nowadays, however, Reunion production has petered out.

FRAGRANCE

The odour of ylang-ylang is heady, suave and sweet.

EXTRACTION AND YIELD

The steam distillation of fresh ylang-ylang flowers is a long and delicate process (ten to twenty hours). Performed in a fractionated manner, it provides five fractions corresponding to distinct qualities of essential oil based on essence density: extra-superior, extra, premium, second and third. The extra-superior, extra and premium fractions are reserved for the luxury perfume industry, while second and third qualities are used for cosmetics, soaps and detergents. Aromatherapy uses a different quality of essential oil, called "complete", obtained by continuous distillation for more than ten hours. The essential oil yield of ylang-ylang is of 1.8% to 2.4%, i.e. eighteen hundred grams to two kilograms of essential oil from hundred kilograms of flowers.

CHEMICAL FORMULA

The main active constituents of essential oil of Cananga odorata are monoterpene alcohols (linalool), esters (benzyl and geranyl acetates) and phenols.

Precautions for use

Do not use in: pregnant or breast-feeding women, children under the age of six years, persons allergic to one of the components (benzyl benzoate, citral, eugenol, farsenol, geraniol, linalool, benzyl salicylate), subjects with asthma without the advice of an allergologist before the first use.

Just as the orang-utan, its neighbour in the animal world embodies the brutal force of the male, ylang-ylang, thanks to its flowers, is the odor di femina of the plant kingdom. It is reminiscent of Gauguin's vahinés, the fantasy of Europeans and dream of the southern sea navigators. Aware of the effect of the "flower of flowers" on men, Indonesian women macerate it in coconut oil, which they then apply to their dark hair. They also spread ylang-ylang onto the bride and bridegroom's bed to ensure that the wedding night is a success. Our perfumers have used this exotic and erotic fragrance extensively, from "Bois des Îles" by Coco Chanel (1926) to "Joy" by Jean Patou (1930). In traditional tropical medicine, ylang-ylang is used, amongst others, to treat malaria.

AROMATHERAPIA

Extracts from the book 'Aromatherapia - All about essential oils', by Isabelle Pacchioni, watercolors by Patrick MORIN, Aroma Thera Editions . Extracts from the book '41 essential oils essential for treating yourself differently' and '48 essential oils which every home needs to be healthy' by Isabelle Delaleu and Isabelle Pacchioni, Publications of the Mandadori France group. Botanical illustrations by Agathe Haevermans.

The properties, benefits and method of use are given for information; they cannot in any case constitute or replace medical information that only health professionals can provide. For any use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, please consult your GP or pharmacist.