The 12 Best Scents and Essential Oils from the Philippines

Closely following the ylang-ylang in our list of best essential oils comes from the Philippine national flower: the sampaguita, or Jasminum sambac, better known in English by the erroneous name Arabian jasmine. This white flower growing on a semi-climbing shrub was originally native, not to Arabia, but in India. The Arabian jasmine arrived in the Philippines in the 7th century, and has embraced the islands so pervasively since the flower has become a natural, inseparable part of Philippine landscape. The sweet beatific fragrance of its flowers endears the Arabian jasmine to everyone, finding its way in leis around Filipinos' neck, in corsages and crowns.

Another of the best essential oils known around the world comes from vanilla. Imported from Mexico during the Spanish colonization, vanilla is an orchid that took root in the Philippines and even gave birth to several more kinds, including Tahitian vanilla — which is indeed a native of the Philippines and not of Tahiti. The taxonomy of vanilla orchids is yet unclear though. What is certain is, vanilla is prized, not only for its floral aroma, but for the flavor it adds to food and drink, lining it up among the famous variations of ice cream. Not to be left out are vanilla scented candles and aromatherapy oils, which enchant a household with their irresistible creamy scent, so thickly sweet and chocolatey the aroma is by itself almost edible.

Thus, beside enjoying top spot among ice cream flavors, vanilla essential oil makes one of the best smelling candles and aroma oils. Alongside Arabian jasmine, vanilla makes a great home scent. Hence, in your kitchen, on the dining table, in every part of the house where you lie down and laze around, wallow in the aroma that reminds you of chocolate, of ice cream, of everything sweet. Indulge in the delightful scent of vanilla.

Lesser known of essential oils, yet makes one great candle scent and aroma oil, is the lemongrass, or Cymbopogon citrates, native to the islands of Southeast Asia. The lemongrass is particularly prominent, not just among aromatherapy oils and scents for candles, but above all in Philippine cuisine. A good pot of Philippine stew almost always holds a wad of lemongrass somewhere, as do Philippine roasted chickens and whole pigs, otherwise known as lechon. That's because the flat green blades of lemongrass spices up a dish with its inviting lemony aroma, as well as a citrus flavor that excites the tongue.

As pleasurable as it is to humans, however, lemongrass essential oil is a natural insect repellant like its cousin citronella, and drives away mosquitoes with its fragrant scent, making it a great home scent. Hence, with the sweet yet insect-repellant fragrance of lemongrass scented candles and aromatherapy essential oils, you can protect your children and yourself from mosquito bites, while bathing in the fragrant aroma of lemongrass at the same time.

Cedarwood, specifically deodar cedar or Cedrus deodara, is a large beautiful coniferous tree originally coming from the mountains of the Himalayas. While cultivated mostly for timbers, cedarwood essential oil is extracted from the wood shavings and sawdust of deodar cedar. Cedarwood fragrance is woodsy, strong and sweet, comparable — many say superior — to pine. With its calming effect to the nerves, cedarwood figures prominently among essential oils used as aroma oils and candle scents, as well as soap and perfume fragrances. Due to deodar cedar’s insect-repellant and antifungal properties, cedarwood essential oil is also used as ingredient in room sprays and disinfectants.