Cananga essential oil shares many similarities with ylang-ylang essential since they both originate from the same species of tree. In fact, cananga essential oil is often used as a more affordable substitute for ylang-ylang oil. However, while they are similar in many ways, it is worth keeping in mind that cananga essential oil has its own unique properties and benefits.
Let’s delve deeper into the versatile cananga essential oil that has, sadly, long lived in the shadow of the more popular ylang-ylang.
What is Cananga Essential Oil Made Of?
First, to address the most commonly asked question when it comes to cananga: yes, cananga essential oil is very similar to ylang-ylang essential oil but, no, the two are not the same thing. Cananga essential oil is extracted from the macrophylla variety of cananga odorata while ylang-ylang is from the genuine variety of cananga odorata.
Cananga (cananga odorata var. macrophylla) is a tall tropical tree native to South East Asia and Australia. Sporting drooping delicate yellow flowers, cananga trees thrive in shaded areas with moist soil.
Scent-wise, cananga flower (and essential oil) is rich and sweet but considerably less floral than ylang-ylang. Cananga is also often said to be greener than ylang-ylang and a great fit for those who prefer for their essential oil to be fresher.
How is Cananga Essential Oil Extracted?
The distinctive cananga essential oil is extracted from the cananga flowers. As cananga trees are rather tall, one would need to climb up a ladder and jostle the flowers with a long stick for them to fall to the ground. This is usually done in the morning before or around sunrise to minimize the exposure to sunlight. Too much sunlight on the flowers for too long would cause the evaporation of the essential oil.
Once gathered, the flowers are steam-distilled to extract the essential oil. This involves forcing hot pressurized steam through the flowers. The steam then goes through a condensation and collection process.
Benefits of Cananga Essential Oil
1. Works as a mood enhancer
If you suffer from anxiety and depression or just generally feeling down, cananga essential oil could help to alleviate these feelings. Combine a few drops (approximately four to five drops) of cananga essential oil with other essential oils that promote calm and relaxation such as lavender, bergamot, and neroli in the diffuser and let the oils reduce the negative feelings and improve the mood.
2. Eases stress and tension
With today’s modern fast-paced world, it is easy to get lost in the stress and tension of everyday life. To relieve stress, re-center yourself with a few drops of cananga essential oil in the diffuser.
3. Helps to combat insomnia
While it is easy for some of us to fall asleep as soon as we hit the pillow, sleep may not come as effortlessly to others. For a better and more restful night’s sleep, mix a few drops of cananga essential oil with a few drops of lavender, geranium or jasmine essential oils. Place the blend in your diffuser at least one hour before you head to bed.
4. Has anti-inflammatory properties
Besides that, cananga essential oil also has a high level of beta-caryophyllene — which scientists found can help to reduce neuroinflammation (inflammation in the brain) as well as increase antioxidant levels in the brain.
These anti-inflammatory properties can help to protect the brain against swelling, inflammation, and neuronal damage during a stroke. What this means, essentially, is that the beta-caryophyllene minimizes brain damage after a stroke.
5. Promotes overall good health
Apart from the above, the beta-caryophyllene in cananga essential oil helps to protect and promote the overall good health of your body, too. One of the ways the beta-caryophyllene helps is through assisting the vascular system by improving blood flow to the brain, reducing high levels of cholesterol, and reducing stress to the heart.
Besides that, studies have also suggested that beta-caryophyllene can protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.
6. Has excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties
Like most other essential oils, cananga essential oil, too, has great antibacterial and anti-microbial properties. This is (again) thanks to the beta-caryophyllene in the oil. Studies have shown that it helps to eliminate and diminish microorganisms such as E.coli, Streptococcus pneumonia, and Haemophilus influenza — all the nasty things that you do not want anywhere near you.
7. Protects against mosquito and insect bites
Speaking of the wonders of cananga essential oil, it could even help with preventing tick bites and mosquito bites. In an effort to study the effect of beta-caryophyllene, alpha-Pinene, and eugenol, scientists have concluded that these constituents have a significant toxic effect against larvae of the malaria vector Anopheles subpictus, the dengue vector Aedes albopictus, and Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
Thus, the cananga essential oil appears to be viable protection against mosquito vectors and, thereby, reduces the chances of developing mosquito-borne diseases. To repel insects, apply a few drops of cananga essential oil all over your body. If you need to, feel free to mix in a few drops of carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil.
8. Excellent addition to your skincare routine
Just like ylang-ylang, cananga essential oil does wonders for your complexion. Its anti-bacterial properties ensure that it is an effective cleanser in getting rid of dirt, grime, and impurities.
Besides that, with its potent antioxidant properties, the oil also helps to fight free radicals that cause premature aging to unveil supple younger-looking skin. Add a few drops of cananga essential oil to your toner or moisturizer to make it part of your skincare routine.
Mixing Cananga Essential Oil with Other Essential Oils
Cananga essential oil’s rich but rather herbaceous scent blends well with many other essential oils.
For the ultimate relaxation session, cananga with bergamot and geranium essential oils promise tranquility and serenity like you have never experienced before.
If you need to de-stress, mix cananga essential oil with an equal part of vetiver oil in a diffuser.
On top of that, if you are a fan of floral scents, cananga essential oil’s ‘greener’ fragrance is extremely compatible with the powdery floral aroma of lavender. This combination should work well to promote restful sleep.
Additionally, cananga essential oil’s middle note blends well with jasmine, cassia, orange, and rose.
Other Good-to-Know Information
One important thing to note is that, just like ylang-ylang essential oil, you need to be extra cautious when first using cananga essential oil. This is because the oil can potentially cause headaches and migraines for some people, especially if used in a high concentration.
As always, start with a patch test to check if you react well to cananga essential oil. Rub a drop or two of the oil on your inner forearm and cover the area with a bandage. After 24 hours, if you do not suffer any adverse reaction, the oil should be safe for you to use liberally.
Is Cananga Essential Oil Right for You?
For those of you in the market for an earthy and rich essential oil, take a chance and give cananga essential oil a try. You are likely to be impressed and hooked by the oil’s versatility and maybe even its intricate scent — just like many others before you did.
