With an intensely sweet, floral aroma, this popular oil has a long history of use in skin care, body care, hair care and in the fragrance industry. Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) is a tropical tree native to Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. It is a fast growing tree that reach well over 10m in an ideal climate The flower is drooping, long-stalked, with six narrow, greenish-yellow petals, rather like a star in appearance, and yields a highly fragrant essential oil.
The oil is extracted by steam distillation of the flowers, preferably when picked very early in the morning and can take up to 18 hours for the distillation process to complete. This fragrant oil has a rich floral scent and is highly prized in the perfume industry and is a favourite in cosmetic products. It has a middle/base note. As the steam distillation begins for Ylang Ylang the very first hour or two the oil that is distilled is what is called Ylang Ylang Extra. This is considered the best for use in perfumery and aromatherapy.
During the next few hours they will extract in order and by designated amounts of time Ylang Ylang I, II and III, collecting the distilled oil from each time fraction for the various grades of Ylang Ylang oil. As the distillation process continues less oil is extracted until after 12-18 hours all oil has been extracted. Ylang Ylang Complete is either the total of all the oil collected during the whole distillation process or a blend of each of the 4 fractions as they were distilled then blended together in various proportions to give a certain smell quality.
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