The name means 'flower of flowers'. In Indonesia, the flower petals are
strewn upon the bed on wedding nights. The oil was once a popular ingredient
of hair preparations in Europe and was known as macassar oil.
Description of YlangYlang
essential:
It is a tall tropical tree about 20 meters (60 feet) high with large,
tender, fragrant pink, mauve or yellow flowers and is cultivated in Java,
Sumatra, Reunion, Madagascar and the Comores. The flowers are very fragrant
often growing in clusters .Fruit oblong and indehiscent with 3-13 pale
brown,seeds embedded in yellow and oily pulp. Ylang ylang oil has an exotic,
sweet smell and is slightly yellow in color. It is generally the yellow
flower from which ylang ylang essential oil is extracted.
Appearance : Liquid
Aroma : Fresh, floral, sweet, slightly fruity, fragrant
yet delicate.
Color : Clear to yellow tinge
Chemical constituents: YlangYlang oil has various chemical
compounds that include monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, eugenol and safrole.
The essential oil contains linalool, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene, cresyl
methyl ether, methyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate and other
sesquiterpenes.
Extraction: YlangYlang oil is extracted from the freshly
picked flowers of the ylang ylang tree by steam distillation.
Aromatherapy uses:
The aromatherapy properties includes antidepressant, anti-infectious,
euphoric, aphrodisiac, relaxant, antiseborrhoeic, antiseptic, hypotensive,
nervine, regulator, sedative (nervous), stimulant (circulatory) and tonic.
Ylang Ylang oil is used in aromatherapy to control sebum production. It is
regarded as being very useful for dealing with both oily and dry skin
conditions. This is because this essential oil seems to soften the skin with
its ability to balance the level of moisture within the skin.
Pharmaceutical uses:
It is useful in situation like depression, nervous tension, high blood
pressure, hyperpnoea (abnormally fast breathing), tachycardia, palpitations
and digestive upsets and try to overcome these hindrances. It is very useful
for skin care such as for acne, hair growth, hair rinse, insect bites,
irritated and oily skin.
Cosmetics and Toiletries:
An ointment is derived from ylang ylang which is put to several uses
including cosmetic purposes, hair care, skin diseases. It is used to prevent
fevers and to combat infections.
In the Pacific region, women use ylang ylang oil in a blend with
coconut oil on their hair. Ylang oil is also used as a body
moisturizer and also to prevent fevers and combat infections. Ylang ylang
oil is used in the bath, inhalations, vaporizer, local massage, skin
ointments and lotions. It is high grade essential oil used in soap making,
massage oils, bath oil and also as a perfume body oil. It is regarded as
very expensive oil. It is also used as a tonic for the scalp and to
encourage the growth of hair. Ylang Ylang oil also is used as a shampoo base
or as a hair conditioner by blending it with a carrier oil (e.g, jojoba oil)
and massaging it into the hair tips after shampooing the hair. This helps
reduce the incidence of split ends in the hair.
Perfumery
Ylang ylang is used in perfumery industry due to its rich aroma and is
regarded top quality oil. The absolute is also used in making soaps and
detergents. The ylang ylang absolute and concrete have a long-lasting floral
aroma, quite suitable for perfumes and soap fragrances.
It is commonly used as a fragrance in household and personal care products
such as soap, detergent, shampoos and skin lotions due to the presence of
linalool in it. It is used to scent candles, freshen potpourri and preparing
insect repellents also. It is used in synthetic perfumes and other
fragranced products due to presence of caryophyllene in it.
Ylang ylang blends well with Bergamot, Clary sage, Grapefruit, Jasmine,
Lavender, Lemon, Melissa or Lemon Balm, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood.
Ylang Ylang flowers have been used to cover the beds of newlywed
couples on their wedding night in South Asian cultures.
Flavorings
It is used as a food preservative due to the presence of benzene
derivative. It is used primarily as a flavouring agent, in a variety of
foods and pharmaceutical products and as an analgesic in dental materials.
It is used as a a flavouring agent in baked goods, candy and chewing gum.
