Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: A Tour Of The Horizon

Native to Southeast Asia, the Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) tree, and its flowers in particular, have many virtues for health, beauty and well-being. More than a remedy against bites, this essential oil has nowadays become essential and widely used in aromatherapy and cosmetics. Ylang ylang essential oil is extracted from the flowers of this tree, and it is obtained by hydro-distillation. If you want to learn more, take a few minutes to find out about the awesome health, beauty, and wellness benefits of this essential oil that our editorial staff has listed for you.

The legend of ylang ylang

For starters, cananga comes from the Malay name for the kananga tree, native to the Philippines and Indonesia, whose sweet-scented flowers have traditionally been laid on the bed in the bridal chamber. Filipino legend tells the story of a girl whom the gods named Ylang and whom they forbade to be touched.

When she grew up, Ylang fell in love with a young man. Her love for him had been so strong that she accepted the flowers he offered her, touching her fingers. Therefore, it triggered a curse and the girl turned into a tree - ylang ylang.

Often called "the flower of flowers", ylang ylang has earned this reputation thanks to its unique properties. And for this reason, today it is used to produce one of the most powerful essential oils.

• In the Philippines, healers use the oil to heal wounds from burns, cuts or stings.

• On the Moluccas Islands, people use ylang ylang oil as a main ingredient in Macassar oil - a hair ointment.

• In Indonesia, flowers are scattered on the bed of the newlyweds to create a romantic atmosphere.

Ylang ylang hair essential oil

Ylang ylang is a good tonic for the hair. Add a drop of ylang ylang essential oil to your usual shampoo dose and massage your scalp to reduce hair loss.

If you have dry hair, apply a mask twice a week, before bed. Mix 5 drops of ylang ylang essential oil and 20 drops of castor vegetable oil. The next day, wash your hair with a neutral shampoo.

Ylang ylang essential oil skin

Topically, ylang ylang essential oil balances and stabilizes sebum production. It thus prevents dryness or excessive oiliness. It also soothes inflammation and irritation of the skin and thanks to its antimicrobial properties. What makes this essential oil an effective way to treat acne.

Thanks to its antioxidant content, ylang ylang oil helps fight free radicals. They are responsible for the premature aging of the skin. Other essential oils with anti-aging effects that should not be overlooked are rose oil and geranium oil.

Ylang ylang essential oil: health and well-being

Aromatherapy, on the other hand, recognizes the relaxing virtues of ylang ylang. It is used to reduce stress, anxiety, muscle and blood pressure, and to combat insomnia. Its pleasant floral scent, both delicate and intense, makes it an ideal ingredient for perfumes for men and women.

Ylang ylang essential oil is reputed to have anti-depression properties. It not only gets rid of negative feelings, including nervousness, reduces fatigue, but it also promotes positive feelings of cheerfulness and optimism, thus improving good mood.

A study published in 2012 (in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medecine) found that inhaling ylang ylang essential oil helped lower high blood pressure.

The researchers asked 83 people with hypertension or prehypertension to participate, divided into two groups. They inhaled the aroma of an essential oil blend of ylang ylang, lavender and marjoram, or a placebo scent. The results of the study showed that the first group experienced a drop in blood pressure and cortisol levels.

This hormone plays an important role. It is secreted in the body's response to stress. However, it is important to note that it is not known whether ylang ylang essential oil on its own can lower blood pressure.

Regarding its properties of aphrodisiac, this essential oil stimulates libido and improves sensuality in a couple. She tackles the mental and emotional factors that sometimes hamper the romantic mood. Sprayed or diffused to freshen the air, the scent of sweet, spicy ylang ylang, nuanced with traces of jasmine and banana, goes well with the essential oils of bergamot, grapefruit, lavender and sandalwood.

It should be noted that internal use of ylang ylang essential oil is not recommended, as the oil may have toxic effects. To avoid any risk, pregnant or breastfeeding women and children should consult their doctors before using essential oils.

How to use it?

You can either inhale the ylang ylang oil using your essential oil diffuser, or massage this oil, diluted with a vegetable oil, directly on your skin: on your neck, on the wrists or the solar plexus for example..

How to find a quality ylang ylang essential oil?

Good quality ylang ylang essential oil should contain the following:

• Linalool: 2 to 16%

• Germacrene D: 13 to 24%

• Geranyl acetate: 1 to 12%

• Benzyl benzoate: ≤12%

• trans trans alpha farnesene: 2 to 16%

• ß caryophyllene: 5 to 17%

Which fraction of ylang ylang essential oil to choose?

In fact, the different fractions are distinguished by the duration of their distillation:

• Extra fraction: 1 hour of distillation

• Fraction I: 1 to 3 hours of distillation. This contains only the most volatile molecules. It is the most fragrant and the most expensive. The first two fractions are used exclusively in perfumery.

• Fraction II: from 3 to 9 hours of distillation (used for the manufacture of cosmetics)

• Fraction III: from 9 to 10 hours of distillation (used for the manufacture of cosmetics)

• Complete: it resembles all the therapeutic molecules of the flowers of the tree. This is what is used in aromatherapy.

How to keep it?

• In a colored and sealed glass bottle

• Temperature between 5 ° and 40 °

• Away from UV rays