Mokosoi: The Pacific Flower Behind Pure Fiji's New Scent

Mokosoi: The Pacific Flower Behind Pure Fiji's New Scent

Everyone asks about the citrus. The more interesting half of the name is the flower.

What is mokosoi?

Mokosoi is the Fijian name for the flower of Cananga odorata, known elsewhere as ylang-ylang. The tree grows across the Pacific and its drooping yellow flowers carry one of the most recognisable floral scents in perfumery: soft, warm and slightly heady. It has long been part of everyday life in the islands, scenting coconut oil, garlands and celebrations.

A scent that depends on the harvest

Ylang-ylang oil is a genuine agricultural craft. A recent study of ylang-ylang essential oil production found that when the flowers are picked, and how long they are stored before distilling, measurably changes the oil's volatile aroma compounds (Chakira et al., 2026, PMID 41901410). The scent you smell in a finished product started with decisions made in an orchard at dawn.

What research says about the scent

Ylang-ylang has been studied in aromatherapy research for years. In one early study, forty healthy adults had ylang-ylang oil applied to the skin; the researchers reported a decrease in blood pressure and participants rating themselves calmer and more relaxed than a control group (Hongratanaworakit and Buchbauer, 2006, PMID 16807875). More recently, a small randomized trial with sixty children in a dental clinic reported that both ylang-ylang and lavender aromatherapy reduced measured anxiety compared with placebo, with ylang-ylang showing the largest decrease in pulse rate (Patil et al., 2025, PMID 41623781).

To be clear about what that means for us: these studies looked at the essential oil in research settings, not at body care products. Our Citrus & Mokosoi range is scented skincare, not a treatment. We just think it is a lovely thing to know about the flower in the bottle.

Where to meet it

The easiest introductions are the Nourishing Body Oil on damp skin, or the Shower Gel if you want the scent without the ritual. Fair warning: the flower tends to convert people.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Studies cited are from peer-reviewed journals and describe research on essential oils, not on the scented body care products we sell. Verdo Cosmetics makes no therapeutic claims about the products mentioned.

Frequently asked questions

What is mokosoi?
Mokosoi is the Fijian name for the flower of Cananga odorata, known elsewhere as ylang-ylang. The tree grows across the Pacific and its yellow flowers carry a soft, warm floral scent used widely in perfumery.
Is mokosoi the same as ylang-ylang?
Yes. Ylang-ylang and mokosoi are the same species, Cananga odorata. Mokosoi is simply its Fijian name.
Does ylang-ylang have researched effects?
Small studies have looked at the essential oil in research settings. One reported lower blood pressure and higher self-rated calmness after skin application in healthy adults (Hongratanaworakit and Buchbauer, 2006), and a small randomized dental-clinic trial reported reduced measured anxiety versus placebo (Patil et al., 2025). These studied the essential oil itself, not scented body care products.
Which Verdo products feature mokosoi?
The whole Pure Fiji Citrus & Mokosoi collection: Shower Gel, Sugar Scrub, Hydrating Body Lotion, Nourishing Body Butter and Nourishing Body Oil, all sharing the same citrus and mokosoi scent.
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