Sun 15 Mar 2009
Ylang Ylang
Posted by Jun Alday under Arrangements, Flowers, Medicinal, Trees
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Closeup of Ylang Ylang flowers Inspired by a recent travel destination featured on TV, I went to San Pedro, Laguna last Saturday to check out the so called “Sampaguita Capital of the Philippines.” As in many things in the Philippines, claims of this sort can be misleading because I found out that in San Pedro, they don’t plant Sampaguitas anymore. Apparently what use to be Sampaguita plantations have been over run by urban development. What San Pedro has, however, is a garland industry that is very much dependent on the supplies of Sampaguita flowers from other towns in Laguna, Quezon and as far as Pampanga. I wanted to buy Sampaguitas but the flower vendors did not have any new stock to sell. They were all waiting for the Sampaguita trader to arrive from Pampanga. If Sampaguitas are not readily available in San Pedro, what they have in abundance instead are Ylang Ylang (cananga orodata) which is in season. I have not seen Ylang Ylang being sold in bulk and so informally that my frustration from not being able to buy Sampaguitas was more than pacified. In fact, I got happily excited. Ylang Ylang are sold not in baskets but on the pavement for P10 a can. Each mound here costs about P40 or less than 1 US$.
The Legend: He held her by her hand and said, “I love you, be my wife.” Instantly the girl disappeared, turning into a small tree with very fragrant flowers. “Ilang! Ilang!” cried the young man. Since that day, it is said that the young man continues to wander the magic garden, calling out her name throughout eternity. Ylang Ylang are scattered on my daybed. On the tray is a plate full of Ylang Ylang.
The Philippine legend tells about a married couple who had everything in their life except children. In a dream, the gods came to them and promised to grant them a daughter, provided that the girl should never touch a man once she matures. The girl was named Ilang (“Flower”). She grew to be a true beauty and there was no lack of men asking to marry her. But her parents guarded her in order not to break their agreement with the gods. One day when the parents were not at home, Ilang went to her garden to collect flowers. Unexpectedly, there appeared a young man who for a long time had been in love with her.
The Essence: Besides perfumery (Chanel’s “No.5,” Armani’s “Aqua De Gio,” Dior’s “Poison,” and Guerlain’s “Elise Fields”) Ylang Ylang flowers also have medicinal applications. In the Philippines, the flowers are crushed and applied to insect stings and snake bites. The oil is also used for skin and hair because it was thought to improve hair growth. In aromatherapy Ylang Ylang oil, which is usually the third gradation, is used to alleviate stress, anxiety, and high blood pressure. In the coffee table are platters of Ylang Ylang. The center plate is accented by Sampaguitas.
In the Philippines, Ylang Ylang flowers are considered good for driving away malicious spirits. In Indonesia, they are prized as an aphrodisiac and the flowers are scattered on the beds of the newly married. Ylang Ylang oil is recommended for women in harems to heighten sexual appeal. In China, the clothes of people who could afford it are sprayed with Ylang Ylang oil before storing in chests. 
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