Ylang Ylang, pronounced “ee-lang ee-lang,” is a fast-growing tree native to the tropical rainforest of the Asian continent. It is commonly found in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Madagascar and islands around the Pacific Ocean. Ylang Ylang, known by the scientific name Cananga odorata, produces yellow, star-shaped fragrant flowers. Its common names include perfume tree, fragrant Cananga and Macassar oil plant.
The essential oil derived from the flowers of the Ylang Ylang plant is referred to as Ylang Ylang essential oil. Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds produced by some plants. Ylang Ylang essential oil is obtained through water or steam distillation of the flowers. It has a fresh, delicately floral, sweet and intensely fruity aroma; similar to that of Jasmine flowers.
For hundreds of years, Ylang Ylang has found several uses among natives in the regions where the plant originated from. The flowers are reputed to have a romance-boosting effect, and in Indonesia are sprinkled on the bed of newlyweds to promote sexual activity. Ylang Ylang essential oil is widely used in the traditional medicinal practices of southeast Asian countries. It is used for the treatment of snakes and insect bites, wounds, burns, intestinal infections, typhoid, malaria and as a remedy for anxiety and stress. Its use for medicinal purposes has spread to other parts of the world. Currently, the sweet and calming scent of this essential oil is used all over the world for the management of stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression. It is also used for alleviating symptoms of PMS, treating high blood pressure and boosting sexual libido.
Due to its popular medicinal properties and widespread usage in aromatherapy, a lot of scientific research has been carried out on Ylang Ylang essential oil.
Important Chemical Constituents of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang essential oil contains many chemical compounds. Among them are some compounds that are quite remarkable because of their health benefits to the human body. These include;
Linalool: has anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, analgesic, anxiety-relieving, and sedative properties. It is responsible for the sweet floral smell of Ylang Ylang.
Geranyl Acetate: has energizing, sex-enhancing, libido-boosting, antiviral, and mood-lifting, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Methyl Benzoate: has anti-inflammatory, sedative, antifungal, painkilling properties, prevent muscle spasms.
Germacrene-D: has antimicrobial, liver-protecting, stimulating, and insecticidal properties.
Benzyl Acetate: has sedative effect, relieves muscle tension and spasms. It also contributes to the scent of Ylang Ylang.
Beta-caryophyllene: has anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antioxidant, pain-relieving, and nerve-protecting properties.
Geraniol: has pain-relieving, antibacterial, antioxidant and antiseptic properties.
Methyl P-cresol: has disinfectant and antibacterial properties.
Benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Antimicrobial Effect
A number of studies have been carried out to investigate the antimicrobial properties of Ylang Ylang essential oil. These studies found that Ylang Ylang essential oil can slow down the growth of different types of harmful bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, as well as some fungi that cause infections. It was particularly effective against a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which is known for causing skin infections.
Antioxidant Effect
Antioxidants help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm your cells and lead to diseases. A study tested how well Ylang Ylang essential oil can fight free radicals. The results showed that this oil is better at stopping free radicals than some other oils known for their strong antioxidant effects. It protects your cells and helps remove free radicals from your body.
To take advantage of its benefits and reduce signs of ageing, try adding a drop or two of this essential oil to your body or face cream.
Anti-inflammatory Effect
Research shows that Ylang Ylang essential oil has strong anti-inflammatory effects, meaning it helps reduce pain and swelling. This is due to certain chemicals in the oil, like linalool and linalyl acetate, that make it work so well.
Calming and Relaxing Effects
Ylang Ylang essential oil has a calming effect, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It can relax your mind and ease tension. Studies have shown that breathing in Ylang Ylang oil can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels. Other research found that it can also make you more alert and focused. That’s why it’s used in aromatherapy to help lower blood pressure and relieve depression and stress.
Effects on Mood and Cognitive Performance
A study revealed that inhaling Ylang Ylang had a significant effect on the cognitive performance of healthy volunteers as compared to a control group. The aroma improved concentration and attention, reduced anxiety, and increased calmness in the volunteers.
Insect Repellent Properties
Several studies have demonstrated that Ylang Ylang essential oil possesses highly significant activities against some insects and pests. It is a potent mosquito repellent oil and destroys the eggs of several mosquito species. Ylang Ylang essential oil not only repels mosquitoes but equally stops their eggs from hatching. This is a highly desirable activity for preventing diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Beside mosquitoes, Ylang Ylang essential oil also exhibits repellent activity against red flour beetles.
Likewise, a recent study demonstrated Ylang Ylang essential oil deterrent activity against house fly. It kills their larvae, stopping them from developing into houseflies. This essential oil can be used to control house fly and prevent housefly-borne diseases such as amoebic dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, trachoma, tapeworm, roundworm, leprosy, and mycoses. Ylang Ylang essential oil also has insect repellent activities against Japanese termites and maize weevils.
Sexual Arousing Effect
Ylang Ylang essential oil has been used for a long time in traditional medicine from the Indo-Pacific regions to help boost sexual interest. This might be because it helps you relax and reduces stress, which can improve your mood and emotions. Its romantic floral scent heightens your senses and stimulates sexual desire. Diffuse in your bedroom, use in the bath or apply topically to encourage intimacy and bonding between you and your spouse.
Cosmetic Uses of Ylang Ylang essential oil
Ylang Ylang essential oil is often used as one of the main ingredients in cosmetic formulations like perfumes, body creams, soaps, hair creams, deodorants, etc. Because of its pleasant, mood-lifting, flowery fruity scent, it is used in producing scented candles, colognes, perfumes, massage oil, air fresheners, and soap.
Beside the fragrance, Ylang Ylang essential oil is useful in skin care for its efficacy in rejuvenating worn-out skin cells and reducing signs of aging. Its antimicrobial properties facilitate its ability to soothe skin irritations, combat skin infections and protect your skin. You can use it as a conditioner for your hair or as hair perfume. Add 6-10 drops of the essential oil into your hair conditioning cream or hair lotion. It leaves a nice, long-lasting fragrance on your hair.
Additionally, massaging Ylang Ylang essential oil diluted in fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil to your scalp promotes healthy hair by preventing hair loss, enhancing new hair growth and eliminating dandruffs and itchy scalp. Combine 4 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil, massage directly to your scalp, wrap with a towel, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before washing it off your hair. This works to eliminate dandruff and itchy scalp, and makes hair strands thick and lustrous. Ylang Ylang essential oil is also well known for its effectiveness in controlling excess oil production and dryness on your hair or skin. It helps to lock in moisture to your hair to prevent dryness, while regulating the production of sebum.
How to Use Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
By Inhalation
Inhaling Ylang Ylang essential oil is one of the most effective means of enjoying the benefits. So far, diffusers represent the best way to inhale essential oils effectively. Diffuse about 5-10 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil, depending on the capacity of your diffuser. Inhale for 20-30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can place 2-3 drops of the essential oil at the far end of your bed sheet or any other area with least contact with your skin. The aroma will be all over the room in a short time.
Topical application
Dilute 1-2 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil in 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba or sweet almond oil. Gently massage into your skin daily.
In Bath
Add 6-10 drops of diluted essential oil into warm bathwater, soak in for at least 10 minutes for best results.
DIY Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Recipes
Ylang Ylang Libido Booster Blend
4 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil
1 drop of Sweet Orange essential oil
2 tablespoons of any carrier oil of your choice.
Mix thoroughly and apply to the neck, wrists, elbows and cleavage to put yourself in the mood for sex. You can add 8-10 drops of this blend in your bath to enhance sexual excitement and improve sexual performance.
Ylang Ylang Insect Repellent Spray
60 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil
30 drops of Tea tree essential oil
10 drops of Rosemary essential oil
120 ml of water
2ml vegetable glycerin
In a spray bottle, mix the essential oils together with the water. Cover tightly and vigorously shake the mixture to combine well. The glycerin will help prevent the essential oils from separating from the water.
For a simpler blend, add 8-10 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil to 60ml of water and mix together in a spray bottle.
Spray around your home, indoor or outdoor, to keep mosquitoes and houseflies away.
For an insect repellent blend you can apply topically, dilute 6-8 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil with 3-4 tablespoons of carrier oil, and massage into exposed areas of skin.
Your bathroom chest is incomplete without a bottle of Ylang Ylang essential oil. Its benefits and uses are numerous. From those moments you are feeling low and can't find your groove, to when you need a natural pain-reliever, as a natural age-control oil, and repellent for keeping pesky bugs off your home; you will find your Ylang Ylang essential oil very useful in your home.
Precautions
Keep in mind that essential oils should never be ingested. Make sure you carry out a skin test before applying Ylang Ylang essential oil topically. Dilute one drop of the essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil, test the diluted oil on a patch of your skin and observe your skin reaction to the essential oil for 24 hours.
Ylang Ylang essential oil is not recommended for pregnant and nursing women. Do not use it on animal pets like dogs and cats. If you have low blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, cancer, liver damage, and bleeding disorders, or you are on any prescription drugs, it is advised you communicate with your doctor before using Ylang Ylang essential oil. Always avoid contact with your eyes, nose, ears, and other sensitive areas of your body.
