Aromă

Ylang Ylang

From Cananga odorata, the tropical 'rare flower' of Southeast Asia — intensely sweet, creamy, slightly banana-warm. Summer's evening bloom.

Familia olfactivăFloral-exotic

Cea mai bună sezonăSummer

Momentul zileiEvening

Ylang ylang begins as Cananga odorata — a tropical tree native to the Philippines, Indonesia and the Malay Archipelago. The name arrives from the Tagalog word ilang-ilang, meaning uncommon or rare, and the flower earns every syllable of it.

The scent opens intense and immediate: sweet, heady, almost banana-warm with creamy, tropical undertones. It does not arrive quietly. Within a few minutes it softens, settling into something richer and more honeyed — the version you smell on skin an hour later is a quieter, more velvety creature than the one that greeted you at the bottle.

Java and the Philippines have used ylang ylang to perfume hair and linens for centuries. European perfumery adopted it in the nineteenth century, and it has since become one of the most recognised florals in the world — present in Chanel No. 5 and hundreds of fragrances since.

The tradition files it firmly under summer evenings: the heat of the day has passed, the pace drops, the scent holds in warm air. It keeps company with Love and Romance on the intention shelf, and with Calm and Joy in the mood register — though its particular gift is the way these overlap, a warmth that steadies as it lifts.

The suggestion from the tradition is unhurried: a few drops in a diffuser at the same hour, an open bottle held close while you name one plain intention for the evening, and let the repetition build the association over time. Ylang ylang is not a scent for rushing.

Below — the catalogue's ylang ylang in essential oil, candle and bath form, ready for the summer evening shelf.

Rezonează cu

Stări de spirit

Calm Joy

Intenții

Love & Romance Calm

Întrebări frecvente

What does ylang ylang smell like?

Ylang ylang opens intensely sweet and heady, almost banana-warm with creamy tropical undertones. Within minutes it softens into something richer and more honeyed—the scent on skin an hour later is quieter and more velvety than the bold greeting at the bottle.

Can I apply ylang ylang directly to skin?

Ylang ylang essential oil should be diluted in a carrier oil before applying to skin—never use it neat. A safe dilution is typically one to two drops per teaspoon of carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed.

Is ylang ylang good for sleep?

The tradition pairs ylang ylang with evening calm and unwinding—the scent is typically diffused an hour before bed as part of a slow ritual. Its warm, honeyed character is traditionally reached for when transitioning from day to rest, rather than as sedation.

Who should not use ylang ylang?

People with sensitive skin should patch-test ylang ylang diluted in carrier oil before wider use. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are traditionally advised to consult a qualified aromatherapist before using any essential oil, ylang ylang included. Always dilute before topical application.

How do you use ylang ylang essential oil in a diffuser?

Add three to five drops of ylang ylang essential oil to your diffuser with water, following the device's instructions. The tradition suggests diffusing at the same hour each evening—consistency builds the scent's association with unwinding, and ylang ylang rewards unhurried repetition.