Botanic: Ylang Ylang
Binomial name: Cananga odorata. Native to India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia.
Scent: Rich, floral, woody-balsamic. Find it in my Ylang Ylang and Orris Root incense sticks.
Function: Ylang Ylang flowers are used as an aromatic in incense making. In general, dried flowers can be used in incense, but essential oils or absolutes produce a scent closer to the fresh flower (when used sparingly).
Something you might not know: Ylang Ylang essential oil is distilled in five different grades; Extra, I, II, III and Complete. Each grade (while distinctly ylang ylang), has different properties; the first extractions are sweeter and more floral, and become deeper and earthier as the extraction time progresses. The Complete grade blends the oil extracted from all these phases.
I use Well Earth Certified ylang ylang (III) essential oil in my incense, grown in Madagascar. The Well Earth Program works with companies that use sustainable practices, and provide fair working conditions for their harvesters.
You can find more information about the sourcing process for Burn It Botanical Incense here.
Check out the previous Botanic Spotlights on Black Frankincense, Australian Sandalwood, Ceylon Cinnamon, Oak Moss, Agarwood and Vetiver.
Burn It Botanical Incense is handmade from sustainably harvested Western Australian sandalwood, tree resins, plants and essential oils – by me, for you x