Ylang Ylang Oil Benefits

Ylang ylang oil is the essential oil obtained from the heavily scented yellow flowers of the ylang ylang tree or cananga odorata through steam distillation. Ylang ylang extra is the first collection of the essential oil during distillation and has the strongest scent and provides the most benefits. By the way, it's also spelt as ilang ilang and pronounced as ee-lang ee-lang.

Cananga odorata tree is also known as the perfume tree or simply cananga and it originates in South East Asia. It is believed that ilang ilang means flower of flowers in Tagalog which is the Central Philippine language. It's called chenanga in Malaysia and kenanga in Indonesia.

The active constituents in ylang ylang essential oil include linalool which is a perfuming agent and is used as the base for many perfumes and as an aromatherapy essential oil. Geranyl acetate produces the floral aroma and is a component of perfumes for creams and soaps and the diluted oil is used as a flavoring agent.

The Uses and Benefits of Ylang Ylang Oil

1. Ylang ylang oil is considered as an erotic oil or a natural aphrodisiac. It is said that in Indonesia, the fresh flowers are spread over the bed on a wedding night to induce a turn-on. It is also used as a remedy for frigidity and impotence.
   
   To spice up your sex life, dilute ylang ylang essential oil with water in a spray bottle and sprinkle it on your sheet. Another way to use it by combining ylang ylang with sweet almond oil or any other carrier oil and dab on your pulse point or hair.
   
   
   
2. Ylang ylang essential oil has sedative properties and produces a calming effect. It is used in aromatherapy as a remedy for anxiety, mild depression, insomnia, stress and nervous tension. If you have mood swings associated with PMS and menopause, ylang ylang essential oil may help treat the hormonal imbalance.
   
   
   One of the ways to use it is to soak in a bath with ylang ylang and lavender oil. In aromatherapy, ylang ylang extra essential oil combines well with clary sage oil, frankincense essential oil, patchouli oil and thyme oil to produce a very relaxing effect.
   
   
   
3. On its website, the Western Washington University published an article that states that ylang ylang contains cananodine which exhibits activity against 2 types of liver cancer.
   
   
   
4. Ylang ylang oil is also beneficial for the skin. It is said that ylang ylang has the ability to control sebum production which is especially helpful for people who have very oil skin and as a remedy for acne. It is also used in treating skin problems such as boils, eczema and insect bites and stings.
   
   
   Mixing ylang ylang oil with any skin lotion or shower gel will help add to its scent and control and balance sebum production for all skin types. It produces a stimulating effect and tones the skin.
   
   
   
5. Ylang ylang essential oil is also used as a remedy to stimulate hair growth. It works best when combined with coconut oil or castor oil. The additional benefits include maintaining a healthy scalp and adding fragrance to your hair.

Besides its use in perfumery, ylang ylang flowers have other healing properties and have been used as remedy and traditional medicine in some countries such as for treating asthma. Ylang ylang tea made from the dried flowers is taken orally to treat the symptoms of malaria and to reduce fever.

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