Ylang-Ylang

Origin: Tropical Asia and Queensland (Australia)

Family: Annonaceae
Scientific Name: Cananga odorata

Folk Names: Cananga tree, perfume tree, flower of flowers
Traditional Names: Kenanga (Indonesian), Kradangnga (Thai), Ilang-ilang (Filipino), Mata‘oi (Cook Islands), Mohokoi (Tonga), Moso‘oi (Samoa), Moto‘oi (Hawaii), and Mokosoi, Mokasoi or Mokohoi (Fiji)

Magical

Element: Water
Day: Friday
Planet: Venus
Zodiac: Taurus

Parts Used: Flowers

Magical Properties: Love, lust, peace

Substitutions: Jasmine

Lore

Traditional Uses:

• Indonesia: Ylang-ylang flowers are spread on the bed of newly-wed couples to ensure a sweet first night.
• Philippines: Strung into a lei with Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac, Sambac jasmine) and worn by women and used to adorn religious images.

Aromatherapy

Part Used: Flowers
Extraction Method: Steam or water distillation
Flash Point: 86°C

Scent Type: Floral
Perfume Note: Middle/base
Scent Description:

Aromatherapeutic Uses

Helpful for anxiety, tension, shock, fear, panic, insomnia, depression, and stress.

Reputed to be an aphrodisiac.

Warnings:

• Not safe for use for folks with low blood pressure.
• Can be sensitising.

Botanical

Fast-growing tree in the custard apple (Annonaceae) family.

Type: Evergreen tree
Plant size: 12m
Leaves: Smooth, glossy ,13–21 cm long, oval-shaped with pointed ends
Flowers: Long-stalked, drooping greenish-yellow star-shaped flowers with 6 long/narrow petals

Etymology: From the Tagalog name “ilang-ilang”, which comes from the word ilang (wilderness) which refers to the trees natural habitat.