Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil comes from the unique yellow flowers of the Ylang-Ylang tree, scientifically known as Canaga odorata. Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil has a pleasant aroma and has strong medicinal properties, making it among the most popular of the essential oils. The Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil is extracted by steam distillation and its chief components consist of benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, linalool, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, methyl benzoate, p-cresyl methyl ether and sesquiterpenes.
The duration of the distillation process results in the cultivation of five different varieties of the Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil, namely: Ylang-Ylang Extra, obtained within the first one or two hours of distillation; Ylang-Ylang #1, #2 and #3, extracted in the subsequent hours of extraction (the numbers refer to the numberof times the oil is distilled through fractionation); and, finally, Ylang-Ylang Complete distilled for six to 20 hours. As an essential oil with so many varieties it is no surprise that the Ylang-Ylang essential oil has numerous benefits, some of these include: Uses for perfumed products, its fresh floral smell makes it a popular ingredient in a range of perfume and health and beauty products. The Ylang-Ylang Extra has the sweetest and strongest scent and while all the varieties maintain the floral aroma, the scents do decrease in strength and sweetness with each of the subsequent varieties. In aromatherapy the Ylang-Ylang essential oil is used as a means of reducing stress and anxiety. It aids in producing better sleep, uplifting moods and reducing tension. Ylang-Ylang #1 is the most well suited of the varieties for aromatherapy practices.
Some medical benefits include: It is antibacterial, it soothes inflammation and irritation, prevents infections, stabilises the heart rate, balances blood pressure and enhances the health of thenervous system. All varieties of the Ylang-Ylang essential oil have these medicinal benefits.