I just recently shared an article with a friend focusing on Relationships. The right relationship with our-self being the most important relationship we will have in this life time brought to my attention, the nurturing and caring of our emotional self. Our self awareness within the vein of tending to our needs so that we may share with the world around us in a relaxed, mindful and positive prospective.
All flowers address self-Love and emotional concerns. I'd like to share a writing of Ylang ylang with you. I invite you to remember what makes your heart sing . . .
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| Luna as she exits into the western sky this AM in Sedona, AZ |
Ylang
Ylang
Latin
name: Cananga odorata
Family: Annonaceae
Plant Part: Fresh Flowers
“Ylang ylang you have warmed my heart and calmed my mind.
You have given me the sweet reminder of loving magic that awaits my spirit. You
have awakened the possibilities which provoke the god/goddess within. As your
calming elixir soothes me, and reminds me of the sweetness I can taste within
each moment. I move into a patient surrender of spirit, as I know the
transcendence which is constantly unfolding in my life. I am reminded all is
within reach and ever so grateful for the beautiful gifts you impart upon my
essential nature, now shared!”
Cananga odorata
description
Cananga odorata is a tropical
Asian tree of the custard-apple family; it is medium sized, approximately 39
Feet tall at maturity. The main trunk is generally bent to some degree, and the
bark is smooth and grayish white to silvery. The branches are slightly erect
with a bit of drooping, giving the Cananga tree an asymmetrical appearance. It
is a fast-growing tree which can exceed 16ft within a year and has the ability
to regenerate rapidly when damaged.
The leaves are dark green in
color, approximately 8 inches in length, alternate, elliptic-oblong with a
prominent midrib. The ylang ylang flower hangs in umbellate clusters of four to
12 flowers, having three sepals and six petals, and approximately 2.5 inches
long. The petals are twisted when young and then limp and drooping when mature.
Ylang ylang flowers are greenish yellow when immature, turning to a deep yellow
once mature. The fragrant smell of ylang ylang is not dominating when the
flowers are immature, but becomes more pronounced at maturity.
The fruit of the ylang ylang is
greenish black in color, approximately 1 inch in size, and borne in axillary
clusters of 6 to 12, resembling the olive. There are also 6 to 12 small, pale,
brown flattened ovoid seeds within each fruit.
The Cananga tree has a long
taproot and, therefore, favors deep soils. The Cananga tree can grow in light,
medium and heavy texture soils, thriving in rich volcanic or fertile sandy
soils, and can tolerate water logging for short periods, but requires free
drainage. The Cananga tree grows best in full sunlight but can also tolerate
moderate shading.
The Cananga plant is native to
the Philippines and Indonesia and is commonly grown in Polynesia, Melanesia and
Micronesia, therefore preferring a habitat of lowland, and humid tropics
region. In Madagascar, the trees flower year-round, but mainly during the rainy
season from November to March.
Ylang ylang qualities, extraction and chemical composition
There are four varieties of ylang
ylang essential oil, depending on the stage and method of distillation: the
earliest “Ylang Ylang extra” is the first distillate, and is the lightest oil,
with the most exquisite fragrance; the middle distillate, called ylang ylang
II; and the final distillate having the smokiest and deepest fragrance. Ylang ylang
“complete” is either a blend of all three stages of the distillation process,
or an uninterrupted distillation process. Ylang ylang has a sweet and narcotic
fragrance.
”Ylang ylang” results from the process of steam distillation of the flowers of the Cananga tree; and the flowers should be distilled immediately after harvesting. Small, traditional stills yield about 1% oil; while large modern stills can yield as much as 2%; and delayed distillation of the ylang ylang flower reduces the quantity of oil extraction. Flowers are best collected in the early morning hours while dew is present and best distilled immediately after harvesting. The Comoro Islands and Madagascar are major producers of ylang ylang.
The main aromatic components of ylang
ylang oil are: benzyl acetate, linalool, p-cresyl methyl ether, and methyl
benzoate. Sesquiterpenes and
esters. “Ylang Ylang extra” has higher terpene alcohol content.
Ylang ylang properties, therapeutic uses and applications
Ylang ylang speaks to our Heart
on every level, and reminds us of acceptance within ourselves as well as
others. Very much an aid for heart palpitations, when applied topically, ylang ylang
can have a remarkable effect, as with hypertension and tachycardia. Ylang ylang
is also an aid for high blood pressure, and can help normalize sebum secretion
for skin issues.
Ylang ylang is harmonizing to the
mind, and calming to the Central nervous system, and can be an effective aid
for controlling epilepsy by simply inhaling the fragrance at the onset of a
seizure. Ylang ylang is a stimulate
to the scalp, and a preventive aid for hair loss; mitigates insomnia and
pre-menstrual syndrome; it is also an aid for infections of the intestinal
tract, malaria and typhus (an infectious bacterial disease).
Ylang ylang aids with depression,
anxiety, tension, stress, shyness, impatience, resentment, and rejection by
“opening the heart and reminding us of new magical possibilities within the
realm of loving relationships.” Ylang ylang has a calming nature, and ushers in
joy and warmth within our life.
Ylang ylang is Euphoric and sensuous, being an aphrodisiac which unifies
our emotional and sensual natures.
Ylang ylang can be used to
enhance assertiveness, contentment, focus, joy, self-awareness, self-esteem and
self-image. Ylang ylang is an essence that whispers to us, “What would love do
now?”
The history and folklore of Cananga odorata
Known as “ylang ylang”, “Perfume
Tree”, “Cananga”, “Cadmia”, ylang ylang is planted in many home gardens in the
pacific islands for ornamental purposes. The fruit is a preferred food of
pigeons in Guam, Tonga, and Samoa; and is also eaten by bats, monkeys and
squirrels. In the Pacific, the wood is often used for small canoes and parts,
furniture, fuel wood, and cordage (the bark being pounded to make coarse rope.)
The fragrant ylang ylang flowers
are used to scent coconut oil, known as Macassar oil (used as a hair dressing
in the South Pacific), and in the making of lei’s and headdresses. In the Cook
Islands the wood is used for making boxes and crates, clogs and/or wooden shoes
and fishnet floats; and ylang ylang is a very important source of flowers in
Micronesia and Polynesia where they are used for garlands, headdresses and
other personal adornment.
Ylang ylang is also a primary
commercial product of the perfume industry; it is shipped to France, where it
is the basis for Chanel #5 and perfumes by Guerlain; and ylang ylang’s
essential oil makes up 29% of the Comoros’ annual exports (1998). Ylang ylang
is also used in “MotionEaze”, a motion sickness medicine. In Tonga and Samoa
the bark is used to treat stomach ailments; and can be used as a laxative. In
Java, the dried flowers are used to protect against Malaria, and the fresh
flowers are pounded into a paste to treat asthma. In Indonesia, ylang ylang
flowers are spread on the bed of newlywed couples.
With Gratitude and Love
Robin Michaels
Robin is an Aromatherapist, LMT, Aromatherapy
Instructor and boutique owner of Cosmic Essential oils products. “Information on Ylang ylang is copy-written;
feel free to share whole content however I ask that you acknowledge my
copy-written material via by Robin
Michaels of Cosmic Essential oils with web-site when sharing.” Many Thanks, Robin
28 March 2013
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