Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) is a sultry, sensuous, seductive essential oil. Its tropical origins are evident in its smell. It is produced in Reunion, the Comoro Islands, Madagascar, Java, Sumatra and the Philippines. Ylang ylang, which means “flower of flowers” is a tree growing up to 60 feet high that produces beautiful yellow flowers. In Indonesia, people spread them on the bed of newly married couples on their wedding night.
The distillation of the flowers is a delicate operation that lasts for days and yields up to six different qualities of oil. The oil is yellowish and syrupy with a sweet, voluptuous, exotic scent. It is so sweet as to be sickening for some people.
It is frequently used in perfumes and makes a good fixative. It blends well with lemon, bergamot and other citrus oils which somewhat offset the sweetness. It is also good mixed with geranium and jasmine.
Medicinal properties: Antidepressant, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, euphoric, hypotensive, sedative.
Indications: Depression, hypertension, hyperpnea, frigidity, impotence, insomnia, nervous tension, palpitations, skin care, tachycardia.
Supremely exotic, ylang ylang has the soothing, sedative, slightly euphoric and luxurious laziness of tropical islands. It is used especially as a perfume, in baths, for massage and in cosmetics. It has a soothing effect on the skin and is recommended for oily and dry skin, having a balancing effect of the secretion of sebum. It is considered to have a tonic effect on the scalp.
It has the ability to slow down over-rapid breathing (hyperpnea) and over-rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). These symptoms may appear when somebody is shocked, frightened, anxious or angry, and the immediate use of ylang ylang can be very helpful in such circumstances. Ylang ylang can also be used to lower high blood pressure.
Too high a concentration of the oil or using it for too long at a time can cause nausea and/or headache.