Parts Most Frequently Used: Essential oil distilled from the Flowers

Flavors/Temps: Aroma – Sweet, Flora, Slightly Warming

Caution: Do not use undiluted in the eyes or mucus membranes.

History/Folklore: Ylang ylang helps balance hormones, PMS, and general mood swings. It can also help ease the symptoms of depression. It is excellent for opening up a person’s ability to face life helping them feel ready to live to the fullest. It is considered one of the most effective essential oils for promoting heart health, helping to regulate heartbeat and lower blood pressure. It is also excellent for treating a wide variety of skin ailments from acne to the signs of aging.

Ylang ylang oil is extracted from flowers using a water or water and steam distillation method. You want to be sure to purchase oils that indicate they are “complete.” This means the oil was obtained via an uninterrupted distillation process. Products described as ylang ylang extra, I, II, or III are called fractions and contain less constituents and will not be as effective as full strength or oil obtained through the uninterrupted distillation process.

Adding ylang ylang to your bathwater is an excellent method for enjoying the oils scent and reducing your stress, anxiety, and lowering your blood pressure. Rubbed across your chest the oil can help regulate your heartbeat and lower blood pressure. Even inhaling the scent directly from the bottle for 5-10 deep breaths can help lower blood pressure.

Mixed 50/50 with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil, macassar oil, or olive oil) you can rub the oil on your ankles and legs to improve circulation. Rubbed anywhere you are experiencing inflammation of the joints will help ease pain and inflammation. You can also add a 1-2 drops of the oil to an 8 oz glass of water and sip the beverage to help support circulation. Always be sure to use 100% pure therapeutic-grade ylang ylang before taking the oil internally.

Applying 50/50 ylang ylang with carrier oil to your throat and chest can help boost your immune system. Rubbed over the abdomen the mixture can help support intestinal health. Rubbed over the liver and gallbladder areas can help stimulate the release of digestive juices.

For centuries ylang ylang oil has been used as a natural hair thickener to prevent balding and thinning hair.

Oriental medicine practitioners have been exploring the use of essential oils on acupuncture points to facilitate healing and increase the efficacy of treatments focused on anxiety, depression, insomnia, and heart health that ylang ylang is already know to help with.

Ylang ylang flowers are commonly used to decorate the beds of newlyweds as an aphrodisiac to energize and relax them.

Ylang ylang was an ingredient in the famous Channel No. 5 perfume. It is commonly added to perfumes, cosmetics, household cleansers, soaps, and hair products.

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) and cananga (Cananga odorata forma macrophylla) are of the same genus and species, but are different varieties.

Ylang ylang is used in foods and beverages as a flavoring agent and preservative. In Madagascar, ice cream is flavored with ylang ylang essential oil.