It's a little bit Hakuna Matata

Ylang ylang is your exotic friend. She is passionate and seductive, radiant and beautiful. Enter her intoxicating world.

Ylang ylang has a strong, warm, sweet and heavy fragrance that is unmistakable. It is extensively used in perfumery and is complemented by jasmine, rose and neroli – all the most luxurious and expensive essential oils.

Summer evening body oil

This is one of my favourite summertime blends. Coconut oil nourishes skin and makes it amazingly silky and smooth, while the essential oils cocoon you in a delicious and irresistible fragrance. If your coconut oil is solid gently warm and allow it to melt to liquid, leave to cool off a little then add the essential oils.

• 30ml coconut oil (melted liquid form)
• 4 drops ylang ylang
• 4 drops jasmine
• 5 drops rose
• 5 drops neroli

Exotic hair perfume

Ylang ylang and jasmine were traditionally used to fragrance hair and both are thought to be beneficial to hair, nourishing the scalp and helping hair to appear shiny and strong. Coconut oil is also wonderfully nourishing and moisturising. This blend can be used overnight as a deep conditioning oil. Massage a teaspoonful into your scalp and gently comb through your hair, then wrap your head in a warm towel. Shampoo out in the morning, you should not need to use conditioner. Your hair will be glossy and sweet-smelling.

• 30ml coconut oil
• 9 drops ylang ylang
• 9 drops jasmine

Intoxicating fragrance

Ylang ylang is remarkably soothing and calming – burn this oil to relieve stress, anxiety, depression and frustration – it banishes negative emotions and induces a state of tranquility. Try these blends in your oil burner:

Uplifting

• 3 drops ylang ylang
• 1 drop grapefruit
• 1 drop sweet orange

Balancing

• 3 drops ylang ylang
• 2 drops cedarwood

Romantic

• 2 drops ylang ylang
• 3 drops rose otto

This post is dedicated to Lauren, who is the most beautiful and sweetest-smelling baby

Profile of ylang ylang:

Latin name: Cananga odorata var. genuina
Plant family: Annonaceae
Plant type: flower
Perfume note: top
Extraction: steam or water distillation of the flowers; the first distillate of ylang ylang is ‘top grade’ and considered the most superior – referred to as ‘ylang ylang extra’; the next three distillates of the extraction process are grades 1, 2 and 3 – grades 1 and 2 are often combined to produce a complete oil; an absolute of ylang ylang may be produced by solvent extraction of the flowers
Botany and origins: originating from Asia, the essential oil is mainly produced in Madagascar, Reunion and the Comoro Islands
Chemical properties/active components: high in sesquiterpenes (about 40%) which are anti-inflammatory, soothing and calming; alcohols (about 20%) which are powerful but gentle acting, including linalool which is stimulating and toning; esters (about 15%) which are anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, balancing and soothing, including benzyl acetate which is antiseptic and anti-viral and is thought to contribute to ylang ylang oil’s strong, warm, sweet aroma
Blends with: bergamot, cedarwood, citrus oils, clove, floral oils, jasmine, neroli, patchouli, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, verbena
Key actions: anti-infectious, anti-depressant, anti-seborrhoeic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, balancing, calming, euphoric, sedative, softening, toning
Common conditions: regulates sebum production, dry and oily skins, acne, toning, soothes irritation, insect bites, hair growth and conditioning; high blood pressure, palpitations and rapid breathing, regulates heart beat and breathing; shock, anxiety, fear and anger, depression, frustration, frigidity, nervous tension, insomnia, stress; aids meditation and promotes tranquility
Contraindications: non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitising, although may cause nausea and headaches if used excessively due to its heady scent, and skin sensitisation in some. Avoid during pregnancy
Further reading: This profile is based on my own experience and knowledge of using this essential oil. Other aromatherapy texts will list a wider range of properties and uses. The most comprehensive essential oil profiles that I have read are given by Salvatore Battaglia’s The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Second Edition, published by Perfect Potion, 2003, Australia. ISBN:  0-6464-2896-9

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