Ilang-ilang

The Ylang-Ylang tree grows to a height of 7.5-18 m. The flowers are deep yellow in color with thick petals. These are picked early in the morning for distillation to obtain the essential oil. "Ylang-Ylang: is a Malay word meaning "flower of flowers".

A genus of two species of tender, evergreen trees, native to tropical Asia and Australia. Cananga odorata (Ylang-ylang), a night-scented species, is prized as an ornamental for the intense perfume of its pale flowers, which shows up in the dark to atrract pollinating noths. It is cultivated for the perfumery industry in Réunion, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Phillipines, and the Comoro Islands. One tree produces approximately 120kg (265lbs) flowers per year, yielding 350g (12oz) of essential oil. Ylang-ylang perfume is also produced from the flowers of the closely related Artabotrys hexapetalas. The use of ylang-ylang flowers in a coconut oil pomade in the Molucca Islands was recorded by Guibourt in Natural History of Simple Drugs (1866).

Open-headed, evergreen tree with drooping branches and ovate-oblong leaves to 20cm (8in) long. Intensely fragrant flowers, with 6 narrow, yellow-green petals, to 5cm (2in) long, appear all year, followed by green fruits.


Common Name:
Ilang-ilang
Other Names:
Ylang-ylang, Macassar oil tree.
Botanical Name:
Cananga odorata syn. Canangium odoratum
Genus:
Cananga
Family:
Annonaceae
Native Locations:
Comores, Java, Madagascar, Phillipines, Reunion, Sumatra, India, N Australia
Cultivation:
Well-drained, moist soil in sun, with high humidity. Remove the terminal bud when the tree is 2m (6ft) tall, after about three years. Plants flower when young, and in cold areas may be grown in containers under glass, using soil-based potting mix.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe at 21°C (70°F).
Harvest:
Flowers are picked at night and dried for infusions, or distilled for oil.
Height:
10-30m (30-90ft)
Width:
4-8m (12-25ft)
Hardiness:
Min. 15-18°C (59-64°:F)
Extraction:
Steam Distillation
Parts Used:
Flowers
Color and Odor:
The essential oil is clear with a hint of yellow. It has an intensely sweet and heady scent with an exotic and voluptuous quality.
Background:
The flowers are used by the native women of Indonesia to perfume their hair. Ylang-ylang is often mixed with coconut oil; this concoction was sold as the famous "Macassar" hair oil during the Victorian era. The flowers are also spread on the beds of Indonesian newlyweds on their wedding night..
Properties:
Evocative, euphoric, sedative, hypotensive, aphrodisiac. An antiseptic, sedative herb that relieves tension, lowers blood pressure, and reduces fever. It is reputedly an aphrodisiac.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for malaria and fevers. Externally for skin irritations, conjunctivitis, boils, and gout, and in baths for impotence and frigidity. Ylang-ylang is important in aromatherapy for treating tachycardia, rapid breathing, hypertension, gastrointestinal infections, and psycho-secual complaints.
Uses:
  • Circulatory Sytem—Valuable for reducing high blood pressure and an abnormally fast heart rate.
  • Respiratory System—Excellent for slowing down abnormally rapid breathing.
  • Reproductive Sytem—Useful in cases of impotence and frigidity.
  • Nervous System—Indicated for stress-related disorders.
  • Skin—Has a soothing effect and is typically good for the face and oily skin types. Ylang-ylang balances the secretion of sebum.
  • Emotions—Pacifies the mind, dispelling stubborness and anger and creating a feeling of peace. Dissipates jealousy and soothes frustrations. Ylang-ylang is excitingly sensuous and is iffective against introversion or emotional coldness, promoting confidence.
Blends:
CIRCULATORY RESPIRATORY REPRODUCTIVE
Ylang-Ylang 7 Ylang-Ylang 5 Ylang-Ylang 5
Chamomile (R) 3 Frankincense 4 Rose 4
Lavender 2 Cypress 3 Jasmine 3

NERVOUS SKIN EMOTION
Ylang-Ylang 7 Ylang-Ylang 2 Ylang-Ylang 5
Rose 3 Chamomile (R) 2 Cedarwood 5
Lavender 2 Mandarin 2 Rosewood 2
Economic Uses:
Distilled oil (cananga oil) is used in perfumery and cosmetics, and with coconut oil in Macassar hair oil; also in the food industry, especially in peach and apricot flavorings.
Bibliography:
Aromatherapy Blends and Remedies by Franzesca Watson Copyright ©: 1995 Thorsons, Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. pp.178-179
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 151-152