Ahh, ylang ylang, so good that it got named twice…
Speaking of the name, ylang ylang actually means ‘flower of flowers’ in the Philippines1, which is one of the areas where ylang ylang essential oil originates from.2
Ylang ylang oil is as pretty in name as it is in nature, with its soothing, floral aroma3 and star-shaped flowers that can be found on the branches of the Cananga tree (or the Cananga Odorata tree, The Fragrant Cananga, The Perfume Tree or The Macassar Oil Plant).4,5 The tree is native to parts of India, Malaysia, parts of Australia and the Philippines.6
How is it made?
As with most essential oils, ylang ylang essential is extracted from the flowers of the Cananga tree, using steam distillation. The amount of time the flowers are distilled for determines the type of oil that’s produced. It’s possible to produce five different grades of ylang ylang oil via the distillation process.7
How long have people been using ylang ylang oil for?
Ylang ylang has been used far and wide for a multitude of things for many years. For instance, in the Molucca Islands, it’s used to make a hair pomade.
When it comes to ylang ylang and perfumery, it’s often the heart or the middle note and happens to be the main note in some of the most popular fragrances, such as the iconic Chanel No. 5.8 You’ll also find the less potent grade of it in colognes and cosmetic products, such as lotions and soap.9
Ylang ylang essential oil uses
There’s so much you can do with ylang ylang oil. You can:
Massage it
Dilute 4 to 6 drops of ylang ylang oil with 20ml of Miaroma base oil and gently massage into the skin.10
Bathe in it
Run a warm bath and add 4 to 6 drops of ylang ylang oil. Then relax in the bath for at least 10 minutes to allow the aroma to work.11
Inhale it
Breathe it in directly from the bottle, vaporise it or sprinkle a couple of drops on to a cloth or tissue and gently sniff it. The soothing and floral scent is said to help restore confidence, balance the mind and improve mood.13
Ylang ylang essential oil benefits
Ylang ylang oil is very versatile thanks to its antioxidant properties. As a result, there are lots of benefits to using it, including these five:
- Alleviate stress – according to a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, inhaling ylang ylang oil helped increase feelings of calmness.14
- Boost self-esteem – research has found that ylang ylang can have a positive impact on mood levels when inhaled or applied to skin.15
- Reduce skin/hair dryness – due to its ability to regulate oil production in both areas, helping prevent excess dryness and oiliness in the process. As a result, it can help with overall skin health when added to skincare products.16
- Help prevent ageing – ylang ylang oil antioxidant properties mean it can help fight off the free radicals that are responsible for premature ageing.17
How to use it safely
Always do a patch test to it make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin and always dilute it first with a carrier oil before putting it on your skin. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to use it.18
Some interesting facts about ylang ylang essential oil
- Ylang ylang essential oils 1, 2, and 3 have a less potent smell, but last longer. Cananga oil (ylang ylang #3) has the subtlest scent19
- The flowers that are going to be used for ylang ylang oil have to be picked at night to preserve their aromatic properties20
- It takes 100 kilos of flowers to make 1 to 1.5 litres of ylang ylang essential oil21
We hope you’ve found this guide to ylang ylang oil useful. For more on incorporating essential oils into your life read, ‘Finding the best essential oil for your home.’
Last updated: 16 September 2020
Sources
1 https://www.britannica.com/plant/Annonaceae
2 https://www.decleor.co.uk/blogs/ylang-ylang-blog.html
3 https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/miaroma-ylang-ylang-essential-oil-60043909
4 https://www.healthline.com/health/ylang-ylang
5 https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-ylang-ylang-oil.html#:~:text=In%20the%20Molucca%20islands%2C%20the,and%20for%20typhus%20and%20malaria.
6 https://www.healthline.com/health/ylang-ylang
7 https://www.decleor.co.uk/blogs/ylang-ylang-blog.html
8 https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-ylang-ylang-oil.html#:~:text=In%20the%20Molucca%20islands%2C%20the,and%20for%20typhus%20and%20malaria.
9 https://www.byrdie.com/what-is-ylang-ylang-346222
10 https://www.healthline.com/health/ylang-ylang#uses
11 https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/miaroma-ylang-ylang-essential-oil-60043909
12 https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/miaroma-ylang-ylang-essential-oil-60043909
13 https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/miaroma-ylang-ylang-essential-oil-60043909
14 https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-ylang-ylang-essential-oil-88793
15 https://www.healthline.com/health/ylang-ylang#benefits
16 https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-ylang-ylang-oil.html#:~:text=In%20the%20Molucca%20islands%2C%20the,and%20for%20typhus%20and%20malaria.
17 https://www.decleor.co.uk/blogs/ylang-ylang-blog.html
18 https://www.healthline.com/health/ylang-ylang#benefits
19 https://www.healthline.com/health/ylang-ylang#oil-types
20 https://www.decleor.co.uk/blogs/ylang-ylang-blog.html
21 https://www.decleor.co.uk/blogs/ylang-ylang-blog.html
