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This family contains only one species – Cananga odorata, with two varieties, of which ylang ylang is one.

Cananga odorata forma genuina – flowers (ylang ylang) 1.5–2.5% Alang-ilang in the Philippines implies something fluttering or trembling in a breeze¹⁷ and in Malayan, means ‘flower of flowers’. Although harvested throughout the year, the best time to collect the fully developed deep yellow flowers is around May.

Distillation of complete oil of ylang ylang is a long and complicated process, details of which can be found in chapter 5.

Special Properties and Effects Best quality ylang ylang is an extremely soothing, balancing and calming oil, no doubt due to its high alcohol content (around 50 per cent linalool – this high linalool content is not present in the poorer grades of oil). It is therefore useful in cases of hypertension and tachycardia (rapid heart beat), extreme anxiety, frustration (including sexual) and overwork.