Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Cananga odorata — Steam Distilled — Madagascar
The name means flower of flowers in Malay — and it was given that name by people who knew flowers intimately and still considered this one exceptional.
The Cananga odorata tree blooms in the humid tropical heat of Madagascar, Indonesia, and the Philippines, producing pale yellow star-shaped flowers with an aroma so intensely sweet, so deeply exotic, and so immediately affecting that it has been woven into the romantic and ceremonial traditions of every culture fortunate enough to live within its range. In Indonesia, ylang ylang petals were traditionally scattered across the beds of newlyweds on their wedding night — a practice rooted in the flower's long association with love, sensuality, and the opening of the heart. In the Philippines it was used in hair treatments and personal fragrance. And when French perfumers first encountered it in the 19th century they immediately understood they had found something irreplaceable — a floral heart note of such extraordinary complexity and beauty that it became a foundational ingredient in some of the most celebrated fragrances ever created, including the iconic Chanel No. 5.
Madagascar produces ylang ylang of exceptional quality — the island's tropical climate, rich volcanic soil, and traditional distillation expertise combining to create an oil with the full aromatic complexity that the flower at its best can produce. Steam distillation captures the complete aromatic profile across a carefully managed distillation process that balances depth with approachability.
Recommended uses:
Aromatherapy: Diffuse 3-4 drops — ylang ylang is intensely aromatic and requires less than most oils to fill a space — for a deeply calming, emotionally opening, and luxuriously exotic atmosphere. One of the most effective essential oils in aromatherapy for anxiety, emotional tension, and the physical manifestations of stress including elevated heart rate and rapid breathing. The research supporting ylang ylang's calming properties is among the more robust in essential oil science. Use sparingly — too much can become overwhelming.
Skincare: Add 1-2 drops to a carrier oil or unscented moisturiser for a deeply nourishing, sebum-balancing skin treatment. Ylang ylang has a traditional and well-documented use in skin and hair care across Indonesian and Philippine beauty traditions — particularly valued for its balancing effect on both oily and dry skin conditions and its naturally supportive properties for mature or stressed skin. Dilute carefully at 1-2% for facial application.
Haircare: Add 3-5 drops to a carrier oil for a deeply nourishing, fragrant hair and scalp treatment — one of the most traditionally used essential oils for hair care in Southeast Asian beauty practice. Also beautiful added to conditioner for ongoing shine and fragrance. The combination of ylang ylang and coconut oil is one of the oldest and most beloved natural hair treatments in the tropical world.
Natural perfumery: One of the most important and irreplaceable heart notes in the entire history of fine fragrance — ylang ylang provides a lush, exotic, deeply floral complexity that synthetic alternatives have never genuinely replicated. Use as the emotional and aromatic centrepiece of romantic, oriental, and floral fragrance compositions. Start with a single drop and build — its intensity is extraordinary.
Massage: Blend 3-4 drops in a carrier oil for a deeply sensual, emotionally releasing massage that addresses anxiety and emotional holding as readily as physical tension. The combination of ylang ylang's documented calming properties and its extraordinary scent makes it one of the most complete and beautiful massage oil additions in the collection — particularly suited to evening massage focused on intimacy, emotional release, and genuine restoration.
Scent profile: Intensely sweet, exotic, and deeply floral — a lush, narcotic richness with fruity top notes, a creamy, almost rubbery floral heart, and a warm, slightly spiced depth that evolves beautifully on the skin and in the diffuser. A heart to base note of extraordinary presence and tenacity — it fills a room with a single drop and lingers on the skin for hours, becoming warmer and more complex as it dries down. The most overtly sensual and romantic scent in the collection — immediately and unmistakably extraordinary.
Blending: Ylang ylang pairs beautifully with bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, neroli, sandalwood, and rosewood. Also exceptional with jasmine, rose, patchouli, and frankincense for deeply luxurious oriental and floral compositions, with citrus oils for blends that balance its sweetness with bright, fresh clarity, and with cedarwood and vetiver for grounded, sensual combinations that anchor its floral intensity in warm, earthy depth. Always add ylang ylang conservatively — it is one of the most dominant heart notes in natural perfumery and a single drop too many can unbalance an otherwise perfect blend.
Safety: For external use only. Always dilute before applying to skin and perform a patch test before first use. Ylang ylang can cause headache and nausea in some individuals when used in excessive amounts or in poorly ventilated spaces — always diffuse in a well-ventilated room and use the minimum effective amount rather than more. Maximum 0.8-1% for facial application, up to 2% for body use. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use during pregnancy. Sensitisation is possible with repeated high-concentration use — always dilute properly and give the skin a break from any single oil used consistently over long periods.