Ylang ylang literally means “flower of flowers'' in Tagalog, and for the people of the Phillippines, this was definitely the queen of flowers. Besides its heady floral aroma, they prized it for its healing properties and used its oil to treat cuts, burns and insect bites. In Malacca, it was used to make a hair pomade that evolved into the famed Victorian-era Macassar oil. And in the other hemisphere, the French discovered that ylang ylang could treat malaria and stomach infections, and also calm the nerves. To this day, this versatile elixir is used to treat PMS, insomnia and high BP, tackle stress, anxiety and depression, and give depth to perfumes.