You will need:

• 40 cm length of 4 cm wide, patterned satin ribbon
• needle and matching thread
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 6 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil
• 1 tsp orris powder root (optional)
• 20 cm length of contrasting ribbon for bow
• plastic funnel

1. Fold the ribbon in half lengthways, right sides together. Sew dose to edges of both sides to form a tube, leaving one end open.
2. Turn the tube right side out, tucking the raw edges well down inside the tube. Press with a cool iron.
3. Mix the essential oil, cornflour and orris root together. Place the funnel into the tube and spoon the scented powder into the funnel. Tap the fu until   sachet is well filled.
4. Tie a decorative bow around the top of the sachet.

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You will need:

• 75 g (paraffin) wax beads
• metal core wick
• 6 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil
• heart-shaped metal mold,10 cm in diameter

1. Melt the wax over hot water in a double boiler (never over direct heat). Prime the wick by dipping it into the melted wax and letting it cool.
2. Remove the melted wax from the heat and stir in the essential oil.
3. Pour the wax into the mold to the rim. Leave to cool to a soft set.
4. Cut three lengths of wick 1 cm longer than the mold height and push them into the soft wax. Leave to harden fully.
5. Use the candle as it is, or remove it from the mold by chilling it in the fridge before carefully lifting out.

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• 1 tsp powdered goat’s milk
• A little warm water to mix
• 1 tsp diluted ylang ylang oil

Put the powdered milk into a small bowl. Add enough warm water to make a milky consistency, then stir in the ylang ylang oil. Apply with cotton wool and remove with tissues. Rinse with tepid water. A light film of oil will remain on your skin to protect it from moisture loss.

Get the essential oils for this recipe from our Essential Oils Shop

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Powdered goat’s milk removes grime and helps balance the skin’s oil production. Replenish the mix every few days.

• 2 rounded tbsp powdered goat’s milk
• 3 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil
• 3 drops pure lavender essential oil

Put the powder in a clean jar; then add the essential oils. Screw tight and shake well. Leave for 24 hours. To use, mix 1 tsp with a little warm water into a milky consistency. Apply with cotton wool, remove with tissues. Rinse with plenty of cool water to freshen skin.

Get the essential oils for this recipe from our Essential Oils Shop

• Ylang Ylang Cleansing Milk For Dry To Normal Skin
• Luscious Ylang Ylang Body Cream
• Flower Of Flowers Body Powder
• Dreams Of Mandalay Body Powder
• Ylang Ylang Hair Oil

• 4 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil
• 3 tsp coconut oil

Stir the ingredients together. Massage into scalp and hair, particularly ends. Leave for 30 minutes, then shampoo out. For best results, allow hair to dry naturally rather than blow-drying.

Get the essential oils for this recipe from our Essential Oils Shop

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• 30 g base powder
• 12 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil
• 4 drops pure rose otto essential oil (or 6 drops geranium)
• 6 drops pure orange essential oil
• 6 drops pure sandalwood essential oil

Add the powder to a glass jar with a screw-top lid, then add the essential oils. Tighten, shake well and stand for 24 hours. Dust your body with a cotton wool ball or large powder puff.

Get the essential oils for this recipe from our Essential Oils Shop

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• Sunlight Of The Groove Shower Gel & Body Lotion
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• Flower Of Flowers Luxury Bath Oil

• 10 g beeswax, grated
• 50 g cocoa butter
• 120 ml sweet almond oil
• 350 ml distilled water, warmed
• 3 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil
• 2 drops pure rose otto essential oil (or 3 drops geranium)
• 4 drops pure neroli or petitgrain oil
• 1 vitamin E capsule, pierced

Melt the beeswax and cocoa butter with the almond oil in a heatproof basin over a pan of simmering water. Slowly add 2 tsp of the warm distilled water, drop by drop, beating with a rotary whisk or food mixer on lowest speed. Remove the basin from the heat and beat in the remainder, little by little. Add the essential oils and vitamin E oil, stirring continuously with a metal spoon until the mixture begins to thicken. Spoon into a large, screw-top jar. To avoid mould, refrigerate (for up to 6 months). Keep a small amount in a jar in the bathroom for everyday use.

Get the essential oils for this recipe from our Essential Oils Shop

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• 15 ml base or unperfumed bath oil
• 4 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil
• 1 drop pure rose otto essential oil (or 2 drops geranium)
• 2 drops pure orange essential oil
• 2 drops pure sandalwood essential oil

Mix the essential oils with the bath oil, then add to running water when the bath is almost full.

Get the essential oils for this recipe from our Essential Oils Shop

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Where the trees grow, women use the flowers to decorate and perfume their hair. In 1866 the French historian Guibourt recorded a Moluccan Island recipe for a pomade (aromatic ointment) called boori-­boori, made by macerating ylang ylang flowers in coconut oil. The islanders used this to protect their hair from sea salt as they swam, and to nourish and soften the skin. During the monsoon, they applied it as a body rub to prevent infectious illness and fevers (including malaria). In Indonesia, it is customary to spread ylang ylang flowers on the bed of a couple on their wedding night. The intoxicating perfume is believed to calm the nerves and lessen inhibition.

In Victorian times the essential oil was an ingredient in the famous Macassar hair oil, used by both men and women to promote lustrous growth. Today, ylang ylang is used to create floral-type perfumes; in particular it adds an exotic sweetness to perfumes based on woody and spicy notes.

Blooms Hand Picked

Most ylang ylang oil is produced in Madagascar, Reunion and the Comoro Islands. The flowers develop their fragrance two or three weeks after the buds open. The mature blooms are gathered by hand in the early morning, when the essential oil is most concentrated. As soon as possible after collecting them, the flowers are processed by steam distillation, using equipment set up for the purpose among the trees.

In terms of fragrance quality, there are several grades of the essential oil: ylang ylang extra (sometimes labeled ’superior’), and ylang ylang 1, 2 and 3. The extra grade is collected from the first distillation; the plant material is distilled two or three more times to obtain the other ‘fractions’. There is also a ylang ylang complete, comprising the total, unseparated oil which is collected after a long process of distillation.

Cananga oil, from a related tree, is some­times sold as genuine ylang ylang, but it has a relatively harsh aroma with little tenacity. Cananga oil, along with the inferior forms of ylang ylang, is used as a fragrance material in the manufacture of soaps and detergents.

Intense And Therapeutic

Aromatherapists favor the more expensive ylang ylang extra or complete grades. Both oils are virtually colorless, with an intense, floral-balsamic fragrance reminiscent of almonds and jasmine. A good quality oil also has a spicy undertone. Surprisingly, ylang ylang complete has a lighter fragrance, although it is equally tenacious. Ylang ylang is generally perceived as a warming, intoxicating – and reputedly aphrodisiac – oil. Yet the sensual quality is inseparable from ylang ylang’s ability to relax and uplift, and instill a sense of wellbeing.

At the turn of the century, two French chemists discovered that ylang ylang was effective against malaria, typhus and other fevers. It was also found to have a regulatory effect on a weak heart action, and a calming effect on the central nervous system.

Certainly, ylang ylang is a wonderful oil for soothing nervous tension, restlessness and irritability. A few drops (no more!) added to the bath, or diluted as a massage oil, can promote sound sleep. Ylang ylang has a reputation for treating and preventing stress-related high blood pressure, palpita­tions and rapid breathing. It is also useful for premenstrual tension and depression.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Tim Betts, at the Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital in Birmingham, has discovered that ylang ylang can effectively control certain forms of epilepsy, especially when inhaled before the onset of a seizure. “The oil may contain a pharmacological agent, as yet unidentified, which reduces seizure activity.”

Blending Advice

Ylang ylang marries well with other florals, especially rose and neroli. If the intense fragrance seems too cloying, tone it down with petitgrain or bergamot. To make the aroma more ‘masculine’, blend with a combination of wood, spice and citrus oils, such as cedarwood, coriander and lemon. Ylang ylang is an excellent fixative. It slows the evaporation of more highly volatile oils, e.g. citrus and lavender, and prolongs the staying power of a blend.

Serenity blend – ‘feminine’

• 10 ml diluted ylang ylang oil
• 5 ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil
• 1 drop pure geranium essential oil
• 1 drop pure lavender essential oil

Serenity blend -’masculine’

• 5 ml diluted ylang ylang oil
• 10 ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil
• 1 drop pure frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops pure cedarwood essential oil

Massage For Lovers

Ylang ylang’s sweet, full-bodied aroma has gained it a reputation as a sensual oil. If you and your partner enjoy the fragrance, you will instinctively relax. Whilst not aphrodisiac in itself, being relaxed increases your awareness of seductive surround­ings and the attentions of a loving companion. If this captures your imagination, share one of these blends with your lover.

Sultry nights and roses

• 10 ml diluted ylang ylang oil
• 10 ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil
• 1 drop pure rose otto essential oil
• 2 drops pure grapefruit essential oil

Eastern promise

• 5 ml diluted ylang ylang
• 15 ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil
• 1 drop pure coriander essential oil
• 2 drops pure sandalwood essential oil
• 2 drops pure lemon essential oil

Safety First

Ylang ylang, and other richly floral scents, are referred to as narcotic, or intoxicating, in perfumery terms. In sufficiently high concentration they can also be intoxicating in the medical sense of the word, resulting in headache and nausea. So never exceed the recommended quantities in a recipe.

Fact File: Mandarin essential oil

• Blending Note: Middle to base
• Main Benefits: Mood lifting properties
• Price: Expensive
• Perfume Group: Sweet floral
• Safety Warning: Fragrance may cause headaches or nausea if used in high concentration

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Is Massage Safe During Pregnancy?

Whilst there is no conclusive proof that massage has directly caused any problems in pregnancy, any woman who miscarries will look for a cause and may apportion blame to the massage. Any abdominal or lower back massage in the first three months of pregnancy should be extra gentle. If in any doubt the mother-to­-be should seek advice from her doctor or midwife beforehand. In many cultures, massage is done throughout pregnancy and the post-natal period as a matter of routine. It is regarded as essential to a normal, healthy pregnancy.

Using Essential Oils In Pregnancy

Any of the essential oils featured on this blog are safe to use (in their pure form) in a burner throughout pregnancy – provided you like the aroma, that is. Obviously, if you dislike an essential oil, just avoid it.

After the third month of pregnancy, you can use the following essential oils in the bath, for a massage and in bodycare products (but do not exceed the recom­mended dilutions): geranium, neroli, ylang ylang, petitgrain, sandalwood, chamomile (German or Roman), rose otto, lavender, tea tree, mandarin, bergamot (either use bergaptene-free bergamot oil or avoid sunlight for 4 to 6 hours after use).

Mandarin essential oil is especially good because of its low odor intensity, so it is unlikely to cause nausea. It is also non-toxic and generally good for skin care. Use diluted oil, or make up your own using 3 drops essential oil to 10 ml carrier oil (grapeseed or sweet almond).

Breast Care

Breast massage during pregnancy will improve the circulation and help keep your skin looking healthy, especially if you use essential oils, such as mandarin or rose otto. Massage with essential oils during breast-feeding can help improve milk flow and clear blocked ducts, but see a qualified aromatherapist for advice as the baby can absorb the oils through the milk. Regular massage of the breasts is a good idea at any time, it will help firm and tone them. It can also increase awareness of your breasts and help you detect any abnormalities, such as lumps, at an early stage.

1. Place your right hand behind your head. Massage gently around the right breast using gentle circular movements. Start underneath and work right round.
2. Stroke down your chest from the collar­bone, around the inside of the breast, underneath, up the outside and back up to your collar bone. Do several times. Repeat both steps on the left breast.

Safety First

• Keep your movements gentle and sensitive at all times.
• If in doubt, check with the doctor or midwife beforehand.
• Massage the abdomen in a clock­wise direction (i.e. up the right side of the body and down the left).

Pregnancy Related Natural Products Recommendation

• StretchEasy Massage Oil – Condition skin to improve elasticity and prevent unsightly stretchmarks during pregnancy.
• MellowMama Aromatic Bath Oil – Tone and soften skin to discourage stretch marks and encourage relaxation.
• MoodCalm – Homeopathic remedy temporarily calms emotional outbursts and reduces mood swings during pregnancy.

Abdominal Massage

Positioning during abdominal massage needs to be flexible, as not every pregnant woman is comfortable lying flat on her back. In the early stages in particular, it may be fine. If so, place a pillow under her knees to help relax her back and stomach muscles. As the pregnancy progresses and the baby grows and takes up more room, a semi-sitting position, well-supported with pillows, may be a better option. This allows for the abdominal contents to fall away from the diaphragm (the main muscle concerned with breathing) so that the breathing is not hindered.

Abdominal Massage – Step By Step

Step 1 – Abdominal Circles

Warm some carrier oil (with or without essential oil in it) in your hands, then let them rest gently on the abdomen for a few seconds. Using both hands, stroke the abdomen in anti-clockwise direction. Let one hand follow the other. When they cross, keep the left hand on the skin and let the right hand glide over the other before touching the skin again. Start by circling the outer limits of the abdomen and gradually work inwards. Use your entire hand, molding it to the abdomen. Make your movements rhythmic and gentle. Repeat twice.

Step 2 – Side Strokes

Starting at the hip furthest away from you, use one hand at a time to stroke from the side of the body towards the center of the abdomen. When you reach the center, lift your hand off and start again. Use each hand alternately and work your way up to the ribs, stroking rhythmically and slowly. Repeat twice before stroking the other side. You can either move round to the other side of your partner to do this or stroke up towards the navel using gentle ‘pushing up’ strokes, rather than a ‘pulling up’ action.

Step 3 – Abdominal Strokes

With your hands at the base of the abdomen, just above the towel, gently stroke up the abdomen to the ribs.

Take your hands out to the sides and then around the sides of the abdomen and back to the starting position.

Allow your hands to mold round the abdomen, almost as if you were sculpting it.

Step 4 – Cupping The Navel

Rest your right hand lightly over the upper abdomen.

Cup your left hand over the navel and keep your hand there, gently gathering heat. This is very calming.

Very slowly lift your hands off the skin, and cover the area with a towel. Again, rest your hands over the abdomen for a few seconds before lifting them away altogether.

Lower Back Massage

Let the mother-to-be choose her own position. She knows what is most comfortable for her, and will also feel safer and more in control. Lying on her side, cuddling a pillow for support, is one option – her sacrum and lower back can then be massaged easily, with one hand supporting and the other massaging her. Another position many women find very comfortable is sitting and leaning forward against a chair back with the abdomen well-supported with pillows.

Lower Back Massage – Step By Step

Step 1 – Stroking The Back

Warm some carrier oil (with or without essential oil in it) in your hands, and place them over the sacrum at the bottom of the lower back.

Using both hands together, stroke upwards towards the ribs, keeping your hands either side of the spine. Then glide your hands down each side of the body, pull in gently at the waist and let your hands return to the starting position. Repeat several times.

Step 2 – Circular Strokes

Rest one hand halfway up the back and use the other to make circular strokes over the sacrum, at the base of the spine. This is soothing, and can be used during labor to help relieve discomfort – it feels like the pain is literally dissolving.

Use the flat of your hand and work gently but purposefully.

Apply slightly more pressure on the ‘upper’ semi-circle, less on the lower.

Step 3 – Relaxing The Pelvis

Place your hands together, over the sacrum, with fingers pointing towards the head. Stroke your hands outwards towards the fleshy part of the hips, letting your thumbs lag behind slightly. This takes your hand over the sacro-iliac joints, which is soothing.

Don’t press too deeply here, as the joint ligaments are loosening and too much pressure may have an adverse effect. Repeat several times.

Step 4 – Stroking The Lower Back

Start with both hands in the same position as step 3.

Stroke upwards and outwards from the base of spine and coming up higher to the waist. This follows the direction of the muscle fibers directly under the skin and is very soothing. Repeat several times.

To finish, cup your hands over the small of the back, and then gently lift them away. Cover the area with a towel and let your partner relax.

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