Botanic Spotlight: Ylang Ylang

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

Botanic Spotlight: Vetiver Root

Botanic: Vetiver Root (Khus)

Binomial name: Vetiveria zizanioides/Chrysopogon zizanioides. Native to India, grown in other tropical regions. 

Scent: dry, earthy, leathery, murky – intense, but at the right dilution it can be wonderfully relaxing and shape-shifty. Find it in my Oak Moss and Vetiver incense sticks.

Function: Vetiver is used as an aromatic in incense making. The whole root or the essential oil can be used.

Something you might not know: Vetiver is a fragrant grass that grows in clumps, and its roots can grow 3 to 5 meters deep, making it a great plant for combating soil erosion. It’s often used in mine rehabilitation and to improve pastoral land. 

I use Well Earth Certified vetiver essential oil in my incense, grown in Hati. 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 and Agarwood.

I make incense at my kitchen table in Melbourne from sustainably harvested Australian sandalwood, as well as tree resins, plants and essential oils.