Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
依兰 / 依兰香 / 依兰依兰 / 香水树 — Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson
Pinyin: Yīlán / Yīlánxiāng · Malay: Bunga Kenanga / Kenanga / Kenanga Hutan · Family: Annonaceae (番荔枝科)
Energetics
Cool to Neutral (平 / 微凉)
Flavor
Sweet, slightly pungent, intensely floral-aromatic (甘、微辛、大香)
Meridians
Heart (心), Liver (肝), Pericardium (心包)
Traditional Edict
Queen of the Tropics (Bunga Kenanga / Ylang-Ylang). Flower of Flowers. Soothes Liver Qi constraint, calms Heart spirit, slows rapid palpitations, lowers high blood pressure, and relieves postpartum melancholy.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Over-inhalation of undiluted oil in closed rooms causes olfactory fatigue and headache (diffuse in ventilated rooms). Contraindicated in severe pathological bradycardia (<50 bpm) and severe hypotension.
Clinical Applications
- Stage 1/2 essential hypertension, autonomic tachycardia (rapid heart rate), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), chronic sleep latency insomnia, tension headaches, and scalp sebum balance.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Linalool and benzyl acetate reduce autonomic sympathetic tone while elevating vagal stimulation, inducing clinically validated reductions in blood pressure and heart rate. 2. Potentiates central GABA-A chloride currents to relieve anxiety and promote sleep. 3. Regulates sebum 5a-reductase.
Preparation & Dosage
THE ROYAL NANYANG KENANGA CONFINEMENT & HAIR OIL: 100 g fresh yellow blossoms + Pandan infused into 500 mL virgin coconut oil (massaged over temples/scalp). Aromatherapy diffuser: 3-5 drops pure oil. Floral tea: 3-6 g dried blossoms.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Nanyang Cardiovascular Calming Elixir with Lavandula angustifolia and Neroli in Virgin Coconut Oil. 2. Royal Peranakan Bunga Rampai Sleep Potpourri with Pandanus ribbons and Rose water.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only