Ylang Ylang: Another black pearl of Madagascar

Ylang Ylang, or Cananga Odorata, is a tree native to the humid tropical zones of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Today, however, it has become one of the emblematic plants of Madagascar. It is one of the treasures to discover during your stay in Madagascar.

The Ylang Ylang has a widely spreading crown. Its flowers are yellow, golden, and star-shaped. However, when they mature, the bases of the petals turn red. The name Ylang Ylang means "flower of flowers." This very characteristic is what makes it so famous and highly sought after.

Its yellow flowers contain a precious, sweet, intense, and voluptuous fragrance. They grow very quickly in the first few years, gaining 2 to 5 meters per year. The Cananga Odorata mainly grows in humid forests with high rainfall. It was introduced to the Indian Ocean around the 20th century, starting with Madagascar, then to the Comoros Islands and Mayotte.

Nosy Be and Ylang Ylang: From where the island gets its nickname "the island of perfumes"

In Madagascar, it is in Nosy Be where there are the most Ylang Ylang plantations, hence its nickname "the island of perfumes." It is even the island’s main agricultural resource. It should be noted that Madagascar produces over 25% of the world’s Ylang Ylang supply.

It blooms year-round, especially between November and March, as it is the rainy season. In general, it is women who harvest the Ylang Ylang flowers. To preserve the fragrance as much as possible, they pick the flowers very early in the morning until 9 a.m. An Ylang Ylang tree can produce 3 to 4 kg per day. However, to ensure high quality, the harvest needs to be spaced out every 3 days over the course of a week. The Ylang Ylang tree can grow up to 30 meters tall, but to facilitate harvesting, it is kept at a height of 2 to 3 meters.

Its properties and benefits

Ylang Ylang is especially famous in the world of perfumery due to the sweet and sensual aromas of its flowers. The extraction of its fragrance is done through the complete steam distillation of the flowers, which can take many hours. For this process, a stainless steel still is used.

But beyond the fragrance, the essential oil obtained from Ylang Ylang is also well known for its multiple virtues. Rich in esters and especially in lithanol, it is effective as a cardiac sedative and hypotensive, as well as an excellent nerve balancer. On the other hand, Ylang Ylang essential oil is a strong tonic for the digestive system, particularly for stimulating appetite and treating a range of digestive disorders. For well-being, it is also used in various ways, whether for the hair or the skin.