Ylang Ylang was historically used by indigenous peoples in salves for treating snake and insect bites, cuts, scrapes, and other skin conditions. In Indonesia, the fragrant flower petals were traditionally strewn over the beds of newlyweds.
The English naturalist John Ray (1628-1705) was among the first to describe Ylang Ylang in European literature, but distillation for essential oil was not begun until the 1860s. The gathering, selection and distillation of the flowers requires considerable technical knowledge and care, with but few distillers able to consistently produce an excellent oil.
The essential oil of Ylang Ylang was described as a dental remedy by Louis Ottofy, D.D.S. at the Fourth International Dental Congress held at St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A., August 29 to September 3, 1904. Dr. Ottofy revealed that he came upon this discovery accidentally. When attempting to schedule a follow-up appointment the next Friday for patient of his, the man explained that would not be necessary because his teeth would not hurt on Fridays. Inquiring further, Dr. Ottofy learned the man was an expert specialist in distilling Ylang Ylang, and on the days he drew off the oil, inhaled enough of the vapors his teeth did not trouble him. Dr. Ottofy obtained some of the Ylang Ylang to experiment with. At the time, it had only been considered as a perfume, and no medicinal benefits were recorded. Although he had not the facilitities with which to prove its therapeutic qualities, he suspected strong germicidal and antiseptic properties, and found in his own practice it was as effective or more so than creosote or carbolic acid which were commonly used to sterilize the tooth and deaden pain. Ottofy used Ylang Ylang to replace oils of cassia, cinnamon, gaultheria (Wintergreen), and noted that he had left it sealed in a putrescent pulp canal for a period of six months to find it fully as fragrant as when he originally put it in.
Near this time, two French chemists Garnier and Rechler were credited with conducting research on the French island of Réunion, located in the Indian ocean east of Madagascar. Their findings suggested the essential oil of Ylang Ylang may be beneficial for fevers such as malaria and typhoid, intestinal disorders, and supportive for regulating heartbeat.
In 1908 the Boston Medical Journal reported a pharmacologial study by Kettenhofen which found it to be as effective as quinine in fighting inflammation.
Ylang Ylang's aromatic influence is prized for increasing mental focus, relieving stress, restoring positive energy, boosting mood and confidence.
Young Living produces an exceptional quality of Amazonian Ylang Ylang grown on their Finca Botanica Farm in Guayaquil Ecuador, which now has over 40,000 mature trees. Harvesters are taught to memorize the smell of the perfect and mature Ylang Ylang flowers, and learn to pick only the best flowers and leave the rest. Gary Young explains that when the flowers are just past their prime and are oxidized they still smell nice but there is a very faint sour note. The best flowers yield the most exquisite oil as well as the highest therapeutic benefit when properly distilled. Young Living insists on this quality standard, which are maintained through its unique Seed to Seal process, state of the art distilleries and testing laboratories, as well as third party testing.
It is found in many favorite Young Living Blend's such as Aroma Life, Dream Catcher, Harmony, Highest Potential, Motivation, Peace & Calming, Release, Sacred Mountain, and White Angelica to mention only a few.
To learn more about different therapeutic grade essential oils and their properties, please visit Oil Well Essentials
For more information on the leading essential oil companies, their history, testing, and quality standards, check out the 45 page Young Living/DoTerra report.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and this information is for educational purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, or cure any disease.
