By Cindy Patierno

Ylang Ylang (pronounced ē'läng-ē'läng), meaning “flower of flowers”, is one of the lesser known essential oils out there, but by no means is less powerful. This luxuriously exotic oil comes from a South Asian tree, also called the Perfume Tree (Cananga odorata).

Tall tropical trees with pink, mauve, or yellow rich-scented large flowers and weeping branches, they are native to places in the Far East like Java, Sumatra, the Philippines, Madagascar, Réunion and the Comoros. The flowers have been used in ceremonial decoration and personal ornamentation in Malaysia and Indonesia where the scent is quite popular.

An early English botanist by the name of John Ray was one of the first to mention the tree. He noticed that islanders used ylang ylang as a body rub to prevent fever during the rainy season. They also used ylang-ylang and coconut oil to protect their hair from the salty seawater and as an insect and snake repellant. Later chemists carried out research, which showed that ylang ylang was effective against malaria and typhus, and it was also reported to have a regulatory effect on the heart and a general calming effect.

By far, the most popular use of ylang ylang today is as an ingredient in floral perfumes, aromatherapy preparations, and other cosmetics. Ylang ylang has been called the “Queen of Perfumes” because of its exotic and sensual aroma. But ylang ylang has medicinal properties as well that we should certainly not overlook. Ylang ylang is a natural sedative and antidepressant. This is one of the best oils for the busy, overwhelmed, and overworked, which probably include almost everyone in today’s hectic modern world. It relaxes to help with anxiety, anger, and coping with daily problems. According to the American Botanical Council, in a small study conducted in 1999, feelings of stress were reduced by 50% from ylang ylang inhalation. This potent oil is also a natural hypotensive and is useful for heart palpitations and tachycardia (abnormal rapid heart beat) due to emotional distress. It has been reported to have analgesic and healing properties for pain due to radiation in cases of bone cancer and metastasis. It is also an antifungal, and it is a great oil for mature and sun damaged skin.

Last but not least, one of ylang ylang’s more admired and celebrated properties is its use as an aphrodisiac, which explains why in Indonesia, its flower petals are strewn upon the bed on wedding nights. It is, in fact, useful for sexual problems such as frigidity and impotence. You will understand why with just one breath of this intoxicating herb as you instantly fall under its spell!

Ylang Ylang oil is not as easy to find in health food stores as some other popular oils, but you can ask your local health food store to special order it or find it online. Try to purchase therapeutic grade oils from a reputable essential oil supplier, especially if you are going to use essential oils for medicinal purposes. Therapeutic grade essential oils are cold-pressed or steam-distilled and are completely pure and non-synthetic.

If you want more information on essential oils, or to search for a registered aromatherapist in your area, visit www.aromatherpaycouncil.org, or you can do research on your own and go to your local library or bookstore.

Tips to use ylang ylang oil: To relieve stress, put a few drops of ylang ylang oil added to bath salts or try adding the oil to some milk and create a relaxing spa milk bath. Just pour into warm running bath water and soak.  For a soothing and sensual massage, use a solution of 1-5 drops of ylang ylang to 5 mls of almond oil. For minor heart palpitations, inhale the oil directly by placing a drop or two on a cotton ball, until symptoms are relieved. For a tropical hair treat, mix a few drops of ylang ylang oil with some coconut or peanut oil (or another favorite oil) and apply to damp hair, wrap your head in towel, and leave in for at least 30 minutes and wash out. You can also spice up some of your lotions, bubble baths, body oils, etc. with a few drops of this sweet aromatic oil.  Precautions: All essential oils should not be used if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, if you are receiving homeopathy, or if you are receiving radiation/chemotherapy, unless you consult with a professional health care provider.  Using essential oils is not intended to replace traditional medicine or traditional health care.