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ylang-ylang or  ilang-ilang (ê´läng-ê´läng) noun
1.A tropical Asian tree (Cananga odorata) having fragrant greenish-yellow flowers that yield an oil used in perfumery.
2.An oil or a perfume obtained from the flowers of this tree.

[Tagalog ilang-ilang.]

Family: Annonaceae
Extraction: Distilled from flowers. The intensely sweet odor is heady (described by some as bananalike) and floral. Absolute, concrete.

Medicinal Action: A strong sedative, ylang-ylang is antispasmodic and helps lower blood pressure.

Cosmetic/Skin Use: Used as a hair tonic and to balance oil production in all skin types, although most often recommended for oily and problem skin.

Emotional Attribute: The fragrance makes the senses more acute and tempers depression, fear, jealousy, anger and frustration. It is aphrodisiac in low doses.

Considerations: High concentrations can produce headaches or nausea.

Associated Oils:
Champac (Michelia champaca) --From Indonesia and India, this heady scent is quite expensive, so it is sometimes adulterated with ylang-ylang. It has long been extracted into vegetable oil. Today it is mostly cultivated in the Philippines and is available as a concrete and absolute. Cananga (type macrophylla)-Rich in terpenes and low in esters, this oil has an inferior scent.

Ylang Ylang Extra - Cananga odorata/Comoro Islands/Flower. Ylang ylang oil is distilled from the early morning, fresh-picked flowers of the cananga tree. The distillation process is interrupted at various points and the oil accumulated is removed. The first oil to be drawn off is the highest quality and is graded "extra." Ylang ylang extra has an intense floral, sweet, jasmine-like, almost narcotic aroma. Aromatherapy benefits: sensual, euphoric.

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