ylang ylang

[Guest guest]

 

<juniper.thyme

 

 

This flower of flowers comes from the Malay 'Alang-islang' indicating the

way the flowers hang. The tree is apparently a 'crown in the east' and is

also called the 'perfume tree'.In the South seas women dress their hair with

the oil blended with coconut oil. It was used in Europe as a hair

preparation called Macasser oil, hence the anti-macassers on the back of

armchairs to stop greasy stains.

A lovely custom in Indonesia sees beds spread with these petals on wedding

nights, no doubt honouring the aphrodisiac qualities.Up until 1900 the

Phillipines had world trade monopoly on what is often called ' the poor

man's jasmine'. it is still used extensively in classy perfumes.

 

Jan