Para matar a curiosidade: Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang
Botanical Name: Cananga odorata
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Medium
Perfumery Note: Middle/Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Fresh, floral, sweet, slightly fruity, fragrant yet delicate.

Ylang ylang
Safety data -- non-toxic, non irritant, a few cases of sensitization reported. Use in moderation since its heavy scent can cause headaches or nausea.
Family -- Annonaceae
Synonyms -- Flower of flowers
Herbal/folk tradition - In Indonesia the flowers are spread on the beds of newly married couples. In the Molucca islands an ointment is made from ylang ylang and cucuma flowers for cosmetic and hair care, skin diseases, to prevent fever and fight infections. In the Victorian age the oil was used in the hair treatment Macassar oil. It was also used to soothe insect bites.
Aromatherapy/home use

Skin care -- Acne, hair growth, hair rinse, insect bites, irritated and oily skin, general skin care.

Circulation, muscles and joints -- high blood pressure, hypernea (abnormally fast breathing), tachycardia, palpitations.

Nervous system -- depression, frigidity, impotence, insomnia, nervous tension and stress-related disorders.
Other uses -- extensively used as a fragrance component and fixatives in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes; ylang ylang extra tends to be used in high cost perfumes, soaps, detergents. Used as a flavor ingredient mainly in alcoholic and soft drinks, fruit flavors and desserts.
Distribution -- native to tropical Asia, especially Indonesia and the Philippines. Major oil producers are Madagascar and the Comoro islands.

Extraction -- essential oil by water or steam distillation from the freshly picked flowers. The first distillate (about 40 percent) is called ylang ylang extra which is the top grade . Three further successive distillates are called grades 1, 2, and 3. A complete oil is also produced that represents the total or unfractionated oil, but this is sometimes constructed by blending ylang ylang 1 and 2 together. An absolute and concrete are also produced by solvent extraction for their long-lasting floral balsamic effect.

Characteristics -- ylang ylang extra is a pale yellow, oily liquid with an intensely sweet, soft, floral balsamic, slightly spicy scent -- a good oil has a creamy rich top note. A very intriguing perfume oil in its own right, it also blends well with rosewood, Jasmine, vetiver, opopanax, bergamot, Mimosa, cassie, Peru balsam, rose, tuberose, costus and others. It is an excellent fixative. The other grades lack the depth and richness of ylang ylang extra.

Actions -- aphrodisiac, antidepressant, anti infectious, antiseptic, euphoric, hypertensive, nervine, regulator, sedative (nervous), stimulant (circulatory), tonic.