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what else you should know
ylang ylang
essential oil
Ylang ylang essential oil is steam distilled from the flowers of the cananga tree, a tropical tree in the custard apple family that is native to the Philippines and Indonesia. Also known as the Perfume Tree, the tree produces flowers in three different colors, yellow, pink, and mauve. The yellow flowers are the most desired for the best quality essential oil.
The name ylang ylang (pronounced ee-ylang, ee-ylang) is thought to be derived from the Tagalog language of the Philippines and translates to “flower of flowers.” Like the flowers, the essential oil of ylang ylang is used for celebratory and ceremonial purposes. In Indonesian culture, it is customary to diffuse the oil to promote romance and to spread the flowers on the nuptial bed of newlyweds.
The oil is widely used in perfumery. In fact, it is an ingredient in Chanel No. 5. While the oil contains more than three dozen compounds, the ones most responsible for its sweet, floral aroma are benzyl acetate, linalool, p-cresyl methyl ether and methyl benzoate.
