Description

Cananga odorata, commonly known as Ylang-Ylang, is a tropical tree native to the Philippines, Indonesia, and other parts of Southeast Asia. It is celebrated for its fragrant yellow flowers, which are used in perfumery and traditional medicine. The tree is often cultivated for its essential oil, which has a sweet, floral scent and is widely used in aromatherapy and cosmetic products.

Botanical Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Laurales
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Cananga
Species: Cananga odorata

Plant Characteristics: Cananga odorata is characterized by:

Flowers: The tree produces clusters of star-shaped flowers that are typically yellow, although they can also be greenish or pinkish. The flowers are highly aromatic and are known for their strong, sweet, and floral fragrance. They bloom throughout the year in tropical climates.
Leaves: The leaves are glossy, dark green, and elliptical to lanceolate in shape. They are alternately arranged on the branches and have a smooth, leathery texture.
Growth Habit: Cananga odorata is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 12 to 20 meters (40 to 65 feet) in height. It has a dense canopy with a rounded shape and can spread widely.
Fruit: The fruit is a small, dark, and slightly fleshy berry containing seeds. It is not commonly used in commercial applications compared to the flowers.
Soil and Light: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils and thrives in full sunlight to partial shade. It is adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.

Chemical Composition and Structure: The chemical composition of Cananga odorata includes:

Essential Oils: The primary constituents of Ylang-Ylang essential oil include linalool, geranyl acetate, benzyl acetate, and caryophyllene. These compounds contribute to its distinctive sweet, floral, and exotic fragrance.
Alkaloids: Minor alkaloids present in the plant may contribute to its traditional medicinal uses.
Flavonoids and Tannins: The leaves and flowers contain flavonoids and tannins with potential antioxidant properties.

Uses and Benefits:

Perfumery: Ylang-Ylang is extensively used in the fragrance industry for its rich, exotic scent. It is a key ingredient in many high-end perfumes and colognes.
Aromatherapy: The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and uplift mood. It is also believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
Cosmetics: Ylang-Ylang oil is included in a variety of cosmetic products, such as creams, lotions, and hair care products, for its pleasant fragrance and potential skin-beneficial properties.
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil and Cananga Odorata Flower Extract are restricted ingredient as III/347 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Cananga Odorata Oil/Extract’ in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when the concentration exceeds of the substance or substances: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.
Traditional Medicine: In traditional medicine, Ylang-Ylang is used for its supposed calming effects and to treat various ailments, including headaches and insomnia.

Applications:

Perfumery: Incorporated into perfumes, colognes, and scented products for its distinctive floral fragrance.
Aromatherapy: Used in essential oil blends and diffusers to create a calming atmosphere and enhance emotional well-being.
Cosmetics: Added to skincare and hair care products to impart fragrance and benefit the skin and hair.
Traditional Remedies: Utilized in herbal medicine and traditional remedies for its purported therapeutic effects.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Cultivation of Cananga odorata can impact local ecosystems, particularly in tropical regions. Sustainable practices and responsible sourcing are important to minimize ecological disruption.
Safety: Essential oils should be used with caution. Direct application of undiluted essential oil can cause skin irritation. It is advisable to perform a patch test before widespread use and to follow product guidelines. Consult a healthcare professional before using Ylang-Ylang oil for therapeutic purposes, especially if pregnant or sensitive to essential oils.

INCI:


Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.

Perfuming. Unlike fragrance, which can also contain slightly less pleasant or characteristic odours, the term perfume indicates only very pleasant fragrances. Used for perfumes and aromatic raw materials.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Antimicrobial agent. This ingredient is able to suppress or inhibit the growth and replication of a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses by making the stratum corneum temporarily bactericidal and fungicidal.

Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.
Synonyms:

CAS: 83863-30-3 EC number 281-092-1