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Common Name:
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Ylang Ylang
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Botanical Name:
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Cananga odorata
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Origin:
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Reunion, Madagascar
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Appearance:
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Pale yellow
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Aroma:
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Intense exotic floral |
Ylang complete (Cananga odorata) from the annonaceae family of plants, is a combination of ylang ylang oil extracted during various times of distillation: ylang ylang extra, ylang II, and ylang ylang III. Of the four ylang essential oil products, ylang extra is superior, but ylang III does not cost as much as the other ylang ylang oils. Vetiver essential oil, cinnamon oil, mandarin orange, and bergamot oil blend well with ylang oil for use in an aromatherapy lamp. Try ylang ylang essential oil in Potpourri with allspice, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, dried orange peel, and lemon peels. Store in a glass jar to distribute the floral scents. Glass jars help the orange peel and other ingredients absorb the aromas.
Ylang ylang or Cananga odorata is indigenous to tropical Asia where it is a member of the annonaceae family of plants. It is acknowledged by some botanists as having two tree varieties - Cananga odorata var. genuina (true ylang ylang) and Cananga odorata from which cananga essential oil is derived.
Distillation of the ylang ylang flower is a prolonged process. Often the essential oil is extracted at various times during distillation, resulting in different grades. The first oil to be drawn off is referred to as ylang ylang extra and is superior to the others. Ylang ll is drawn off next, and then ylang ylang lll. Ylang complete is a blend of the grades or is the oil from uninterrupted distillation.
There is no standard for when oil is to be drawn off for the various grades, resulting in inconsistent fragrances among the grades. An experienced aromatherapist may be able to distinguish the differences. If the oil is drawn off too soon, the fragrance normally associated with that grade may be found in the next grade when it is drawn off.
The superior ylang extra grade has a creamy, delicate scent that is never overwhelming or too sweet. Individuals sensitive to ylang III have been known to experience headaches after inhaling the strong aroma, but rarely with the more subtle sweet aroma of ylang extra.
The unusual, greenish-yellow, 
exotic starfish-shaped flowers produced year-round from cananga trees are steam distilled to produce ylang oil. Macassar oil, a scented coconut oil hair dressing traditionally used in the South Pacific, is made from the infusion of fresh ylang flowers into coconut oil with a strong aroma.
Perfumers are the main users of ylang oil with this aroma often being a constituent in men's fragrances, most likely due to the floral sweetness being so different from rose, often used in feminine perfumes.
Ylang ylang arouses deep, dreamy calm that melt away anxiety, tension, and stress. This powerful aroma has a tendency to dominate, so only small amounts are needed when used by itself or in blends. Avoid too much of a good thing that can bring negative effects by starting with small amounts. Let the blend age for several days so the power and pleasing expression of ylang ylang essential oil can expand through the blend. A blend of 5 to 10% ylang ylang oil may smell like 20 to 30%.
Refresh and Relax with Ylang Ylang Citrus Blend
Adding mandarin orange and bergamot oil contributes freshness to ylang ylang's profound floral scent. Mix 6 drops of this relaxing blend with 1 ounce of water and diffuse in an aromatherapy lamp.
Exotic Island Potpourri
Try this fun potpouri ylang ylang scent. Mix these ingredients in a covered glass jar:
Keep covered for 3 weeks (glass jars work well), shaking the contents occasionally to distribute the scents. Display in a decorative container. Sprinkle with more essential oils to renew the aroma as needed.
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