Ylang Ylang Essential Oil from Natural Health Crafters

Ylang Ylang - the exotic, sensual oil, the flowers of flowers.

Ylang Ylang Cananga odorata subsp. genuina in the Malayan language Ylang Ylang means ‘flower of flowers’ and indeed no tree produces blossoms with a more intensely sweet and flowery fragrance. The Philippine origin of the word comes from alang ilang, which means "flowers that flutter in the wind." Ylang ylang trees are native to south east asia, growing up to 20m tall. The branches are gracefully arched like a weeping willow and bear glossy, oval-shaped leaves and an abundance of pendulous, yellow-green blooms throughout the whole year.

In its native countries the local women use the blossoms to decorate and perfume their hair. In 1866 the French historian Guibourt recorded a Moluccan Island recipe for a pomade (aromatic ointment) called boori-boori, made be the maceration of ylang ylang flowers in coconut oil. The islanders used this to protect their hair from the sea salt as they swam, and to nourish and soften the skin. During the monsoon rains they applied the ointment as a body rub to prevent infectious illnesses and fevers (including malaria). Muslim women would burn the oil to scent their harems, which in Muslim society, is the part of the house or palace that is reserved for women. In China the fragrance was used to purify the robes of the mandarin (a member of an elite or powerful group or class). The purified robes were then placed into a chest made from fragrant wood. Only when a special occasion required their use did the robes come out from the chest. When they were removed, the scent was still strong, in fact, some of these chests have been found in modern times, and the scent, although faint, can still be detected centuries later. In Indonesia, it is customary to spread ylang ylang flowers on the beds of couples on their wedding night. The intoxicating perfume is said to calm the nerves and lessen inhibitions.

Ylang ylang did not find its way into modern European perfumery until the 19th century. It surfaced there first as an ingredient in macassar oil, which was used by both men and women to promote luxurious growth. Today ylang ylang is used to creat floral type perfumes, (Poison by Christian Dior, Champs-Elysées by Guerlain, Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani, and Escape by Calvin Klein), in particular it adds an exotic sweetness to perfumes based on woody and spicy notes.

Although native to Indonesia and the Philippines, most of the ylang ylang oil is produced in Madagascar, Reunion, Sumatra and Comoro Islands. The flowers develope their fragrance two or three weeks after the buds open. The mature blooms are then gathered by hand in the early morning, when the essential oil is most concentrated. As soon as possible after collection the flowers are processed by steam distillation (yield: 1.5-2.5 percent), using equipment set up for the purpose amongst the nearby trees.

In terms of fragrance quality, there are several grades of the essential oil: ylang ylang extra (sometimes called ‘superior’), This is the grade used in many high-class perfumes, and ylang ylang 1, 2 and 3. The extra grade is collected from the first distillation; the plant material is then distilled two or three more times to obtain the other fractions. there is also available a ylang ylang complete, comprising the total, unseparated oil which is collected after a long continuous process of distillation. It takes about 350-400 kilos of flowers to extract one kilo of oil, and each tree renders only about 10 kilos of flowers per year.

Cananga Oil, from a related tree, is sometimes sold as genuine ylang ylang, but it has a relatively harsh aroma with little tenacity. Cananga oil, along with the inferior forms of ylang ylang, is used as a fragrance material in the manufacture of soaps and detergents.

Therapeutic uses aromatherapists favour the more expensive ylang ylang extra or complete grades. Both oils are virtually colourless, with an intense, floral-balsamic fragrance reminiscent of almonds and jasmine. A good quality oil also has a spicy undertone. Surprisingly, ylang ylang complete has a lighter fragrance, although it is equally tenacious. Ylang ylang is generally perceived as a warming, intoxicating - and reputedly aphrodisiac - oil. Yet the sensual quality is inseparable from ylang ylang’s ability to relax and uplift, and instill a sense of well being.

At the turn of the century, two French chemists discovered that ylang ylang was effective against maleria, typhus and other fevers. It was also found to have a regulatory effect on a weak heart action, and a calming effect on the central nervous system. Certainly ylang ylang is a wonderful oil for soothing nervous tension, restlessness and irritibility. A few drops (no more) added to the bath, or diluted in a massage blend, can promote sound sleep. Ylang ylang has a reputation for treating, and preventing stress-related high blood pressure, palpitations and rapid breathing. It is also useful for premenstrual tension and depression.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Tim Betts, at the Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital in Birmingham, has discovered that ylang ylang can effectively control certain forms of epilepsy, especially when inhaled before the onset of the seizure. ‘The oil may contain a pharmacological agent as yet unidentified, which reduces seizure activity’.

Adulteration

Cananga oil is often used as a substitute or adulterant, ylang ylang oil tails etc., ylang ylang oil reconstitutions.

GRAS

Ylang Ylang oil has GRAS status.