Spotlight On: Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Botanical Name: Cananga odorata

Part of plant used: flowers (tree blossoms)

Method of extraction: Steam distillation

Ylang Ylang (pronounced lee–ANG  lee–ANG  or  EE-lang EE-lang) is the kind of scent the evokes very strong feelings in people. You either love it or you hate it.   I am part of the “love it” camp.  Normally I am not big on floral scents but something about Ylang Ylang appeals to me.  My number one favourite blend is this oil combined with Grapefruit (or any citrus, really).

When purchasing Ylang Ylang, especially if it’s from a large supplier, you may notice there are several different grades available – I, II, III and Extra. Each one is pulled out a different time during the flower’s lengthy steam distillation process.  Extra is pulled off first and is generally considered the best quality (and most expensive) with the most therapeutic benefits for aromatherapy purposes.  Extra is only slightly more expensive than Grade I (which is what I use), Grades II and III are roughly half the cost of Extra.

This oil is known to most people as an aphrodisiac.  Some people refer to it as “poor man’s Jasmine”!   It’s also very sedating and can have a hypotensive effect on many people.  Overuse can lead to headaches (as with many other EOs), so don’t go crazy with this oil!  You’ll find that the scent is so overpowering that you don’t need a lot in a blend anyway.  Even though it’s a sweet, floral smell, Ylang Ylang is considered a base note when creating perfume blends.

I use this oil in my Sunburn Balm and will put it in a massage blend for people who are feeling blah and unattractive.

Recently I received a shipment of Ylang Ylang hydrosol.  Wow! I keep this with me at my day job to spray myself whenever I feel myself getting angry.  It really does the trick!  Hmmmm, I think I will try adding a bit of Grapefruit EO to the bottle! 

How do you use Ylang Ylang?