Ylang-ylang, a scent with aphrodisiac properties?

Ylang-ylang has a fragrant scent that awakens many sensations. It is used in numerous perfumes for its oriental or floral touches and pairs beautifully with fruity or woody scents.

Ylang-ylang, or cananga flower, whose Latin name is Cananga Odorata, is a tree native to India and the Philippines that has also spread to countries in the intertropical zone, particularly in Central and South America.

It bears very large, showy flowers used in perfumery and cosmetics, from which its essence is extracted. These flowers are greenish-yellow in colour and shaped like a starfish. It has a characteristic, very sweet and pleasant scent: rubbery and creamy notes over a jasmine or neroli base. Its essential oil is obtained by distilling these flowers, and up to 3 distillations can be obtained, on which its greater purity depends.

Many therapeutic properties are attributed to this essential oil; one of its uses is in aromatherapy, and it is believed to ease hypertension as well as the effects of depression, anxiety, tachycardia and panic attacks. It is also used in skin treatments, specifically to improve acne.

Ylang-ylang is said to have aphrodisiac properties; it has not been proven whether it works on its own or whether perhaps the scent it gives off and the softness it leaves on the skin are reason enough to spark attraction.

In Indonesia, ylang-ylang flowers are scattered over a newlywed couple's bed to bring good luck to the union. In the Philippines it is also used as a garland to adorn religious images.

Perfumes that use ylang-ylang essence include the Eau de Parfum “Do Not Disturb” by Vilhelm Parfumerie and Eau Moheli by diptyque –an ode to the island of Mohéli, one of the three islands that make up the Comoros–.