Canaga odorata, known as the “The Flower of the Flowers,” is a highly fragrant flower which produces an exquisite essential oil. Ylang Ylang Oil was originally produced for the perfume industry. The tree is grown and distilled in the Comoros Islands, and in Madagascar. Grown in plantations, these beautiful trees reach heights of 8 ft. They are cropped intentionally so they spread, rather than grow tall. The trees do not reach maturity until they are 4 – 5 years old and can reach up to 70 years of age. C. odorata bears numerous, large, yellow green, strongly scented flowers. The tree flowers all year around. The flowers are hand collected twice each year. Ylang Ylang is water distilled from the beautiful flowers. The color of the oil is pale yellow. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil has an intensely sweet, floral balsam-like aroma with jasmine-like overtones and a rich, creamy background.
The distillation process of Ylang Ylang is unique among Essential Oils. Madagascan distilleries produce four and often five fractions or grades of ylang ylang: Premier, Extra, First, Second and Third, the quality and price decreasing in the same order. Ylang Ylang Complete Essential Oil is the oil from the whole distillation, without any further fractionation, or grading.