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Ylang-Ylang
Complete Essential Oil Profile
By Dawn
Copeland and
Jeanne Rose
PART OF THE
AROMATHERAPY COURSE – HOME & FAMILY
Latin Binomial/Botanical Family:
Cananga odorata/Family Anonaceae
Countries of Origin:
Native to Molucca & the Philippines, also Comoros
Islands (Madagascar), Réunion, Haiti and Zanzibar [Molucca are a group
of islands of eastern Indonesia between Sulawesi and New Guinea.
Discovered in the early 16th century, the islands were settled by the
Portuguese but taken in the 17th century by the Dutch, who used them as
the basis for their monopoly of the spice trade.]
General description of plant, habitat
& growth:
Tall tropical tree growing over 60 feet high with
large, up to six inches, drooping yellow flowers. The flowers first
appear green and are without fragrance and covered in white hairs, then,
roughly twenty days later, change to white then a very
fragrant yellow.
Portion of plant used in distillation,
how distilled, extraction methods & yield:
Steam distillation of the flowers. The first yield
produces the finest oil, known as “Extra” and is used in aromatherapy.
The same flowers can be distilled a second time for a grade ”1”, first 2
1/2 hours, a third for grade “2”, first three to four hours, and lastly
for a grade ”3” which is mostly used for removing varnishes. This
process can take up to fourteen hours. Yield: 1.5-2%.
Ylang-Ylang oil may also be
produced by
extraction with ether, forming a concrète and absolute.
Organoleptic Characteristics:
Color - A deep, dark, golden like 20 carat gold
Clarity - Clear
Viscosity - Non-viscous
Taste - Mild taste of bubble gum!, slightly numbing
Odor Intensity - Gentle (5); Odor is floral,
fruity and green with some spice.
Chemical Components:
Linaloöl, Geranyl Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, B-Caryophyllene,
Benzyl Acetate, Methyl Benzoate, Methyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Cresol and
Terpenes [for more information see the Chemistry section, chapter 5 of
the Aromatherapy
Studies Course and Aromatic classes with Jeanne Rose]
Historical Uses:
Perfumery and as an aphrodisiac and anti-depressant -
[Natural Perfumery class]
Interesting Facts
The fruits of the Cananga odorata are
inedible. When flowers are picked at night they are the most fragrant
and the resultant essential oil is known as the “Queen of Perfumes”. It
is a little-known fact that it is used in confectionery, enhancing fruit
flavors such as peach and apricot, for candy, icings and baked goods, as
well as in soft drinks and chewing gum.
Properties (by IG=ingestion or
IN=inhalation or AP=application):
Ingestion
Aphrodisiac, nervine, calmative.
Inhalation
Aphrodisiac, sedative, antidepressant, calmative,
cardio tonic, euphoric.
Application
Antiseptic; the “second” and “thirds” are
antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic
Physical Uses & How used (IG or AP):
Ingestion
PMS, regulate circulation, uterine tonic, aphrodisiac,
cardio tonic
Application
Skin care products, antispasmodic and to ease physical
pain
Emotional Uses (AP or IN):
Inhalation
Aphrodisiac, nervousness, anti-depressant, euphoric,
relieves tension, stress, irritability and anger, cardio tonic,
sedative, PMS, physical exhaustion
Hydrosol
Use
The hydrosol is occasionally available. It is pleasant
smelling and can be used in skin care and in baths. For those who live
in Florida, the flowers are easily available and are best distilled in a
Copper Still for most fragrant
results.
Key Use
Sexual tonic and in perfumery
Safety Precautions
None
Source for Oil
Many places list the oil in their catalogs. For choosing a
specific Ylang for your needs, choose:
The Woman’s Kit
for Ylang-Ylang complete
The Love &
Romance Kit for Ylang Extra
The Stress
Relief Kit for Ylang #1
The
Hypertension Kit for Ylang #3.
Bibliography and References for
Essential oil profiles:
Buksh, Genie. Bergamot. student. date? 1999
Herbal Studies Course-
Jeanne Rose & Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 1992.
Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils.
Miller, Richard & Ann. The Potential of Herbs as a Cash Crop. Acres USA.
Kansas City. 1985.
Mojay, Gabriel. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Rochester, Vermont:
Healing Arts Press,
Prakash, V. Leafy Spices. CRC Press. NY. 1990
Rizzi, Susanne. Complete Aromatherapy. Sterling. NY. 1989.
Rose, Jeanne. 375
Essential Oils and Hydrosols. Berkeley, California: Frog, Ltd., 1999
Rose, Jeanne. The Aromatherapy Book: Applications & Inhalations. San
Francisco, California:
Worwood, Susan & Valerie Ann. Essential Aromatherapy, a pocket guide to
essential oils and
Aromatherapy. Novato, CA. New World Library, 2003.
Essential Oil Profiles
were compiled Dawn Copeland of Chicago, Ill. with permission.
©All
Rights Reserved 2003, 2004. No part of this article may be used
without prior permission from The Aromatic Plant Project.
©Author's Copyright and Jeanne Rose, info@aromaticplantproject.com |
