Ylang Ylang: Benefits, Uses & How It Enhances Your Health Naturally

Ylang Ylang: Benefits, Uses & How It Enhances Your Health Naturally. Ylang ylang oil is made from the flowers of Cananga odorata genuina. It is sometimes inhaled as aromatherapy or applied to the skin as medicine.

Ylang ylang oil is used as a food flavoring and as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps. It contains chemicals that might make people feel calm.

Ylang ylang oil has been used for lice, memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), high blood pressure, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.

Do not confuse ylang ylang oil with Cananga oil. Cananga oil is made from the flowers of a similar plant, called Cananga odorata macrophylla.

What Is Ylang Ylang?

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil comes from flower petals of the large, tropical ylang ylang tree. Today, ylang ylang trees are widely grown in tropical areas throughout Asia, including Indonesia, the Philippines and the Polynesian islands.

What does ylang ylang smell like? Ylang ylang actually means “flower of flowers” and was given this name because of its sweet, floral scent. In fact, you can recognize ylang ylang’s smell as one of the key ingredients used in the legendary perfume Chanel No. 5.

Research shows that this oil has positive effects on immune health, blood flow and emotions, making it a natural remedy for the endocrine, cardiovascular, reproductive and digestive systems.

All About Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang Ylang: Benefits, Uses & How It Enhances Your Health Naturally. is a yellow, star-shaped flower that grows on the Cananga tree (Cananga odorata). This tropical species is native to countries surrounding the Indian Ocean, such as India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of Australia.

Although some people claim that ylang ylang has health benefits, there’s little scientific research backing these claims.

Read on to learn more about ylang ylang.While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

Benefits

1. Immune and Heart Health Booster

Research has shown that active compounds in ylang ylang oil include: several types of flavonoids, terpenes, o-methylmoschatoline, liriodenine and dihydroxybenzoic acid.

Researchers from the Phytochemistry Research Department at the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh found that phytochemicals present in this oil posses antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities when used topically or internally by humans. They can help improve immune function and lower inflammation, which is a leading contributor to most diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune and cognitive-related disorders.

High blood pressure remedy: You can take it as a dietary supplement, too, (only when using a therapeutic-grade oil) by adding one to two drops to water or warm tea.

2. Mood Enhancer and Anxiety Fighter

Because of its ability to act directly on the olfactory system of the brain, inhaling some can have immediate, positive effects on your mood and act like a mild, natural anxiety or depression remedy. It’s said to “expand the heart,” and research shows it may help release negative emotions, including anger, low self-esteem and jealousy.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that evidence that it has positive anti-anxiety effects due to influencing processes in the hippocampus region of the brain and serotonin system.

Anti-anxiety uses: Try diffusing the oil in your home or massaging it into your skin to bring on stronger feelings of awareness, confidence, peace and self-love.

3. Skin Health Preserver

One of the most popular uses for this oil is applying it to the skin in order to preserve a “youthful glow” and help prevent signs of aging or irritation. It is even powerful at fighting the development of skin cancer cells and melanoma.

Why is ylang ylang essential oil good for skin? Studies indicate that high-quality ylang ylang oil holds a high percentage of active constituents called terpenoids. Isolated terpenoid derivatives (including canangaterpenes IV-VI) show promising results as natural therapeutic agents for the treatment of several skin disorders.

Skin health uses: Combine one to two drops with coconut or jojoba oil and massage it into the face once or twice daily for protection.

4. Natural Energizer

If you feel like you’re always tired, drained or frustrated, trying aromatherapy treatment with ylang ylang can help. Many people find the scent to be energizing and useful for fighting fatigue or body aches.

Energy boosting uses: Add several drops to a clean cotton ball and apply it to your wrists, neck or chest.

5. Natural Hair Care Product

There are a few good reasons to use ylang ylang oil for hair health, such as because it can help prevent tangles and dandruff, while also working as a hair loss remedy.

Healthy hair uses: Try massaging it into your scalp along with using coconut oil or jojoba oil (or your regular condition) to increase the appearance of healthy, shiny hair.

6. Aphrodisiac and Social Enhancer

This oil has been shown to act like a natural impotence remedy since it can help increase the libido of both men and women.

To feel more connected with those around you (including your spouse or family members), diffuse it in your room, inhale it from the bottle, add a drop to your body lotion, or even apply a small amount to your bed sheets or shirt collar.

7. Digestive Aid

To prevent poor blood flow or feelings of stress and anxiety that can interfere with healthy digestion, try inhaling some, massaging it over the digestive organs or consuming several drops daily.

Possible benefits

While high quality research is limited, there are some possible benefits of ylang ylang, including:

• Mental well-being: A  found that ylang ylang reduced anxiety and boosted self-esteem when it was either applied to skin or inhaled.
• Pain relief: One showed that ylang ylang aided in neuropathic (nerve) pain in mice.
• Fighting bacteria: One stated that ylang ylang showed promise in possible treatment of fungal and bacterial diseases.

Ylang ylang side effects

Ylang ylang contains several allergens. One of these is isoeugenol, which can be irritating to the skin.

As with any essential oil, do not apply straight (neat) ylang ylang oil to skin. All essential oils should be mixed with a carrier oil and patch-tested before using on a large area of the body, face, or scalp.

Ylang ylang is also poisonous to dogs and cats. Do not apply ylang ylang to your pet’s skin, paws, or coat, and make sure not to use it where your pet might lick or inhale it.

Forms of ylang ylang essential oil

Ylang ylang can be purchased as an essential oil. In some instances, it may be labeled according to its ranking during the distillation process:

• Ylang ylang extract: This is the most powerful scent but dissipates quickly.
• Ylang ylang number 1, 2, or 3: These have less potent scents, in that order, but are denser and longer lasting. Cananga oil (ylang ylang 3) has the mildest scent.
• Ylang ylang complete: This oil contains all four scent levels, from extract through to 3.

Ylang ylang can also be found as an ingredient in many commercial products for skin and hair, as well as in scented candles, massage oil, perfumes, and cologne.

How to use ylang ylang

Ylang ylang can be mixed with a carrier oil (such as jojoba or almond oil) and used for dry skin care and massage. It can also be rubbed on the scalp to promote oil production and reduce dryness.

Since ylang ylang is irritating for some people, always do a patch test first and wait 24 hours before using. Be sure to:

• Aromatherapy: Add a few drops to a diffuser to create a relaxing atmosphere.
• Skincare: Mix with a carrier oil and apply to the skin for hydration and glow.
• Massage Therapy: Combine with a carrier oil for a stress-relieving massage.
• Hair Care: Add a drop to your shampoo or conditioner for healthy, shiny hair.
• Bath Soak: Add a few drops to warm bathwater for a calming soak.

5 FAQs About Ylang Ylang