YLANG YLANG ESSENTIAL OIL
Family Name: Annonaceae
Common Name: Ylang Ylang
Botanical Name: Cananga odorata
Extraction method: Water or steam distillation of the freshly picked flowers.
Odour: 'A pale yellow oil with a powerful floral and intensely sweet odour'.
General Description:
Ylang Ylang is a tropical evergreen tree, reaching a height of twenty metres, with large, shiny ovate leaves and long, narrow, downy flowers that turn from pale green to deep yellow as they mature. It is the freshly picked flowers that contain the essential oil.
Indigenous to Southeast Asia, most of the world's ylang ylang oil is produced in the Comoro Islands, Madagascar, and Reunion. In terms of fragrance quality, there are as many as five grades of ylang ylang, with "Ylang Ylang Extra Superior" being the highest and most expensive. Essential oil of 'cananga', the macrophylla variety of Cananga odorata, is sometimes sold as ylang ylang (var. genuine), but is harsher and less subtle, though lower in cost.
Ylang Ylang is a tropical evergreen tree, reaching a height of twenty metres, with large, shiny ovate leaves and long, narrow, downy flowers that turn from pale green to deep yellow as they mature. It is the freshly picked flowers that contain the essential oil.
Indigenous to Southeast Asia, most of the world's ylang ylang oil is produced in the Comoro Islands, Madagascar, and Reunion. In terms of fragrance quality, there are as many as five grades of ylang ylang, with "Ylang Ylang Extra Superior" being the highest and most expensive. Essential oil of 'cananga', the macrophylla variety of Cananga odorata, is sometimes sold as ylang ylang (var. genuine), but is harsher and less subtle, though lower in cost.
History/Folk lore:
The name ylang ylang comes from the Philippine alang-ilang, referring to the flowers that 'hang' or 'flutter' in the breeze. The islanders would pick the flowers and immerse them in coconut oil, producing a pomade called boori-boori. This they used as a body rub to prevent fevers and infections, especially in the rainy season, and to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. The Indonesians on the other hand, spread the luxuriant flowers on the marriage bed of newly wedded couples.
Ylang Ylang oil has long been one of the most important raw materials within perfumery, its exotic spicy sweetness imparting floral top notes to an otherwise dull and flat composition. Some of the masterpieces of French perfumery have relied on the skillful blending of Ylang ylang, rose, bergamot and vanilla. Ylang ylang's medicinal properties were first recognized at the beginning of the 20th century by the French chemists Garnier and Rechler. Conducting research on the island of Reunion, they discovered the oil to be effective against malaria, typhus, and infections of the intestinal tract. They also noted its calming action on the heart.
Main Uses In Massage:
Ylang ylang oil is one of those oils that people either love or hate.
It can be used in relaxation massage for its calming, soothing effects, or given in take-home blends to clients who have insomnia or who find it difficult to relax in the evenings.
It can be used in relaxation massage for its calming, soothing effects, or given in take-home blends to clients who have insomnia or who find it difficult to relax in the evenings.
Therapeutic Properties or Actions:
Anti-depressant, antiseptic, hypotensive, sedative.
Body Systems & Therapeutic Uses:
Skin Care - Beneficial in softening and balancing the moisture in the skin. Recommended in hair care to treat split ends. Recommended for dry and oily skin, and reputed to have a balancing effect on sebum production.
Nervous system - Known for its ability to slow down over-rapid breathing and over-rapid heart beat. Renowned as an antidepressant and particularly beneficial for treating feelings of anger, rage and frustration.
Circulatory system - Recommended for treating palpitations and reducing high blood pressure.
Mind - Resolves emotions such as anger, anxiety, shock, panic, fear, impatience Creates a feeling of 'peace'. Soothing and sensual. It instils a feeling of warmth and togetherness.
Body Systems & Therapeutic Uses:
Skin Care - Beneficial in softening and balancing the moisture in the skin. Recommended in hair care to treat split ends. Recommended for dry and oily skin, and reputed to have a balancing effect on sebum production.
Nervous system - Known for its ability to slow down over-rapid breathing and over-rapid heart beat. Renowned as an antidepressant and particularly beneficial for treating feelings of anger, rage and frustration.
Circulatory system - Recommended for treating palpitations and reducing high blood pressure.
Mind - Resolves emotions such as anger, anxiety, shock, panic, fear, impatience Creates a feeling of 'peace'. Soothing and sensual. It instils a feeling of warmth and togetherness.
Precautions:
None at usual doses. Excessive use may cause headaches or nausea.
I will be posting more information about other essential oils on this blog so keep checking back.
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Information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from a medical practitioner.
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