Ylang Ylang
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Cananga odorata var. Genuina
BIOTANICAL FAMILY
Annonaceae
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
South East Asia - Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, Reunion, Comoro Island
PLANT PART
Flowers
NOTE
Middle-base
EXTRACTION METHOD
Steam Distilled
AROMA
Intensily sweet, hearbaceous, floral, at times with a balsamic-woody undertone
GC/MS REPORT
Esters and Sesquiterpenes: Geranyl acetate (8%); benzyl benzoate (7%); β-caryophyllene (14%)
NOTES ON CHEMICAL COMPONENTS
Benzyl acetate's known therapeutic property is antibacterial; Benzyl benzonate's known therapeutic properties include: antifungal, antispasmodic, hypotensive; treats dust mites, head lice, scabies β-caryophyllene's know therapeutic properties include: analgesc, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral, antibacterial, antinociceptive, neuroprotective, supportive of cardiovascualr system.
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS
Skin healing - helps moistuizing the skin, balancing sebum production for hair care. Reproductive system - helps relieve PMS symptoms, especially those associated with mood swings. Nervous system - slows down rapid breathing and heartbeat; antidepressant, sedative.
EMOTIONAL/ENERGETIC QUALITIES
Comforting, relieves nervous anxiety, restlesness, pessimism, fear, and depression; enhances feeling of inner peace, spiritual growth, self-confidence.
ADMINISTRATION METHOD
Bath, topical application (diluted), and inhalation
ETNOBOTANY LORE AND ANCIENT PARTICLES
Cananga is a fast growing, tall, and evergreen tree that can reach 35 meters (~100 ft) in height. However, for cultivation purposes it is pruned to 3 meters (~ 9 ft) and its flowers are harvested early in the dry season. There are two types of essential oil produced from this tree: canaga oil forma macrophylla with a higher sesquiterpene content and ylang ylang oil forma genuina with a higher content of esters and alcohols. Ylang ylang essential oil is very young as it was first distilled in the mid-nineteenth century in the Philippines. In traditional medicine, the dried flowers are used to treat malaria-like symptoms in Java and Vietnam, while the Northern Mariana Islands healers used them to treat pneumonia and stomach aches. At the beginning of the twentieth century, French chemists discovered the oil was useful against typhus, malaria, and intenstinal infections.
SAFETY
Non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing; excessive dosage can cause nausea or headache due to intense aroma; it's best not to use on inflamed skin
DISCLAIMER: The information provided above is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please consult a licensed healthcare specialist for specific medical advice.