Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang

Cananga odorata

Middle (heart) note Floral Essential oil

Heady, sweet and tropical-floral with a creamy, banana-like and slightly spicy, medicinal edge. Cloying if overdone.

Made from: Steam-distilled from the flowers in timed fractions (Extra, I, II, III), or as a single 'complete' oil.
Strength: ●●●●● a little goes a long way
Cost: Moderate
Moods: Romantic Sensual Calming
Seasons: Summer, Spring
Rooms: Bedroom, Living room, Bathroom

Blend with it

Cautions

Skin sensitizer — keep low in anything touching skin
Caution around pets (especially cats and birds) — don't diffuse in their space

A known skin sensitizer at higher levels, so keep amounts modest in soap and body products. Commonly listed as a hazard for pets — don't diffuse around cats or dogs.

How it behaves

CandlesGood

Throws reasonably well for a floral EO; use sparingly and balance with citrus or wood so it doesn't turn cloying.

Wax meltsGood

Reed diffuserGreat

Room & linen sprayGood

Electric (water) diffuserGood

Cold-process soapGood

Holds well through cure. Use 'complete' or III grade for soap — Extra is wasted there.

Melt-and-pour soapGreat

Laundry & cleaningWorkable

Too heavy and sweet for most laundry blends; a trace is enough.

Pairs well with

Sandalwood

Bergamot

Grapefruit

Vanilla

Base · Gourmand

Jasmine

Middle · Floral

Patchouli

Coconut

Middle · Gourmand

Sweet Orange

Vetiver

Atlas Cedarwood

Atlas Cedarwood

Don't have it? Try Jasmine, Tuberose.

In these blends

Warm night air, a hammock and something floral drifting in from the dark.

Mandarin · Geranium · Sandalwood · Ylang Ylang · Palmarosa

Top 33% Middle 44% Base 22%

RomanticSensualSummer

A white-flower garden at night, heavy with gardenia and tuberose.

Gardenia · Sandalwood · Bergamot · Magnolia · Mandarin · Ylang Ylang

Top 26% Middle 49% Base 26%

RomanticSensualSummer

A little lore

The Comoros, Mayotte and Madagascar produce most of the world's ylang ylang, distilling it in stages so the first fraction is the most refined.