Ylang Ylang essential oil is acquired from the star-shaped flower of the Cananga tree. This essential oil is already trendy in the perfumery world. Tons of top-rated global brands launched numerous products representing Ylang Ylang oil. It is known as Cananga odorata, ilang-ilang, and angiospermous.
This essential oil having perfumery notes of Jasmine and Neroli, is undoubtedly one of the favored. But the fantastic benefits of this oil do not confine only to perfumery old. It is widely used in Aromatherapy, Insect Repellant, Skincare, etc.
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What is Ylang Ylang essential oil?
Cananga odorata oil is mainly extracted from the flower of a species of Cananga plant named Cananga odorata. This tree is native to the coastal countries surrounding the Indian ocean. The stream distillation process is the way to extract the oil from the flower.
This oil is thin and colored pale yellow. This oil has a beautiful scent, fruity and flowery. For this reason, you may find a long list of cosmetics and perfumery products using essential oil. Besides, it is also helpful for skin, health, and aromatherapy.
History of ilang-ilang Oil and Cultivation
Ylang Ylang first went global in the 1600s by European explorers. Alexander Rowland, a barber, invented Macassar oil. The oil was of the core ingredients of this oil. Within 20 years, this oil became highly famous and Ylang Ylang.
After two centuries, mass production of Ylang-Ylang essential oil started in Manila. Later, it spread to Madagascar and the Island of Comoros. Now Comoros is the largest producer of the raw materials of this oil. But mostly, Channel No. 5, a famous perfume brand, made Ylang Ylang the most popular by using it in their perfume in 1920.
Cananga plants are cultivated in Madagascar, Comoros, Polynesian Islands, and Micronesia. These plants grow well in acidic soil and are a natural habitat for the rainforest. This plant needs full sunlight to cultivate adequately.
Nutritional Values of Ylang Ylang
The oil possesses varieties of compounds. They cover lots of areas regarding health benefits. It contains Linalool which is believed to have sedative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depression compounds.
Secondly, Ylang oil is enriched with Geranylacetate, which is effective in the case of Anti-fungal and Anti-microbial. This oil is blessed with Germacrene-D. Germacrene-D is helpful for Stimulating, Anti-viral, Decongestant, Hepatoprotective, and Insecticidal.
Apart from these beneficial elements, other chemical compositions are
| α-pinene | 14% |
| β-pinene | 4.5% |
| δ-elemene | 1.1% |
| α-copaene | 2.9% |
| β-caryophyllene | 26.3% |
| α-humulene | 6.3% |
| germacrene D | 11.7% |
| α-muurolene | 1.1% |
| δ-cadinene | 3% |
| linalool | 1.9% |
| n-hexanol | 10.2% |
| (Z)-hex-3-enol | 3.1% |
| (E)-hex-2-enal | 2.0% |
Ilang-ilang Oil Features
| Serial | Features | Description |
| 01 | Botanical Name | Cananga odorata |
| 02 | Plant Family | Annonaceae family |
| 03 | Common Method of Extraction | Water and Steam distillation |
| 04 | Plant Part Typically Used | Flowers of Cananga Odorata Genuina |
| 05 | Color | Golden Yellow |
| 06 | Consistency | Medium |
| 07 | Perfumery Note | slightly sweet and floral |
| 08 | Strength of Initial Aroma | Mild |
| 09 | Aromatic Description | It has a rich aroma. It represents a slightly flowery perfumery tone with a minimum touch of earthiness and greenness. The aroma of this essential oil will remind you of Banana, Custard, Jasmine, Spice, and Honey. |
| 10 | Major Constituents | Linalool, Geranyl acetate, Germacrene-D, beta-Caryophyllene, Benzyl acetate, Geraniol, Methyl p-Cresol, Methyl benzoate, Geranyl acetate, Farnasene, and Benzyl benzoate. |
How to make Cananga odorata oil at home
Typically Steam distillation process is followed to produce essential oil. By following these steps, you can quickly produce this essential oil:
- Step 01: At first, pick some fresh flowers from the Cananga plant
- Step 02: Now put water in the broiler at 12.70 cm high. Now cover the top with a rubber tube. Now connect the inlet of the condenser to the water faucet.
- Step 03: Now heat the broiler and put these flowers into it.
- Step 04: When the water starts to boil, water vapor containing essential oil will pass through the metal tube.
- Step 05: The condenser will cool down the vapor and turn it into water. As oil floats over water, the essential oil will float.
- Step 06: Separate the oil and use Anhydrous Sodium Sulfate to remove water from the oil.
- Step 07: Now store the essential oil in a glass jar and keep it in the dark place.
Ylang Ylang oil vs. Cananga oil
You may confuse Ylang Ylang oil with Cananga oil since both come from Cananga Tree. But Ylang Ylang essential comes from the actual Cananga Ordorata plant. But Cananga oil mainly comes from a remarkable variety of the same plant named Macrophylla.
The core difference you will find between them is in the chemical composition. Cananga oil is enriched with Beta-caryophyllene, which can not be found in Ylang Ylang oil. This compound keeps your skin cells healthy and has a soothing capability. Besides, it is also helpful to ensure an excellent immune and nervous system.
How to use Ylang Ylang Oil
- For Skin Usage: As Ylang Ylang oil is very much concentrated, you should always dilute it with a carrier oil. Add 1-2 drops of this essential oil to one tablespoon of carrier oil. You should pick Jojoba or Coconut oil as the carrier.
If you want to use Ylang Ylang oil to moisturize your skin, you can mix 1-2 drops of this oil into your regular moisturizer cream.
- For Aromatic Usage: You can apply 1-2 drops of this oil to your cloth for perfumery. You can also diffuse 2-3 drops of this oil and inhale it for a soothing and relaxing effect.
- For Hair Usage: You should add 2-3 drops of this oil to Coconut oil and gently massage to your hair for the conditioning process. Then leave it for 20 minutes before washing it away.
You can also use this oil as your regular conditioning and abstain from using the chemical. Mix 15 drops of Ylang Ylang oil with a cup of Sweet Almond Oil.
Benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil
Among tons of health and beauty benefits, some handful of advantages are the following:
1. Prevents infection
Any wound that comes from cuts or burns can cause bacterial infection. Besides, if the iron object causes the wound, it may cause infection by tetanus germs. This type of wound can get fatal.
This oil has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. This essential oil will protect your wound from getting attacked by bacteria and fungi. Besides, your wound will heal faster after using this essential oil.
2. Fights Anxiety and Stress
Ylang Ylang oil contains a considerable portion of Linalool. This compound has a sedative capability. For this reason, this oil will calm your nervous system and keep away depression and anxiety from you. If you are facing acute depression, this could be your natural tonic to be healed.
It is also helpful for those who are suffering from Insomnia. This oil can lower stress responses like high blood pressure and high heartbeat. Along with this, it will uplift your moods and induces positive feelings. You can diffuse this oil in your residence or inhale its vapor.
3. Beneficial for Skin
This essential oil is a natural moisturizer for the skin. Besides, it prevents your skin from forming wrinkles and fine lines, making it look much younger. This oil is also very effective in refraining your skin from cancer and melanoma.
You can blend one or two drops of this oil with Jojoba and Coconut oil for skin massage. Along with this, you can add this essential oil to your regular moisturizer cream. Use it correctly one or twice daily for better effectiveness.
4. Keeps Heart Healthy
Angiospermous oil is very much valuable for controlling blood pressure. Besides, it is also a well-known remedy to prevent heart arrhythmia. You will get improved blood flow and inflammation after using this oil.
You can blend this oil with a carrier oil and massage a single drop over the chest daily to keep your heart healthy. But this oil becomes more efficient if you blend it with Lavender oil, Carry Sage oil, and Frankincense oil.
5. For Better Hair
If your hair breaks and your scalp becomes dusty and flaky, this essential oil can relieve you of this misery. Ylang Ylang oil is a good conditioner for hair. It improves the thickness of your hair and makes it less prone to be broken. Besides, Ylang Ylang oil cleans away dandruff from your scalp.
As this essential oil is mildly thick, you can not use it directly on your hair or scalp. You should mix Ylang Ylang oil with a carrier oil and massage it 20 minutes before bath. Besides, you can use it as your regular hair oil if you add sweet almond oil.
6. Cure Rheumatism And Gout
These two diseases both cause stiffness and severe pain in the joints. Though they are different from one another, they cause the same difficulties. Rheumatism is an autoimmune disease, whereas Gout causes by the presence of excessive uric acid in the blood.
This oil contains a compound named Isoeugenol. This compound is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant ability. Scientists found this chemical effective in anti-arthritis treatment in research conducted on mice. So prescribed use of Ylang Ylang oil will save you from Rheumatism And Gout.
7. Fight Malaria
Ylang Ylang oil is widely used in Asia to treat Malaria. Especially in Java and Vietnam, this essential oil is traditionally being used for centuries in case of Malaria. Besides, it is a natural insect repellant. As this oil possesses a great odor, you can get two benefits simultaneously while diffusing it in your residence.
8. Helps in Premenstrual Syndrom (PMS)
One can get four difficulties while facing premenstrual syndromes, such as Depression, Food Cravings, Fatigue, and irritability. This oil became a good companion in this period. You can gently massage it on the lower part of the abdomen.
This oil has antispasmodic properties that will help you to balance your mood swings and other difficulties associated with premenstrual syndrome. Besides, this essential oil is also helpful to soothe muscle pain, bloating, and stiffness.
9. Mosquito Repellant
If you mix this oil with Coconut oil, it becomes an excellent mosquito repellant. It is scientifically proven that this serum will reduce mosquito nuisance by up to 98 percent. This natural repellent remains effective for nearly 88.7 minutes after one use.
You must mix Ylang Ylang oil with one tablespoon of Coconut oil properly. Then add two drops of this mixture to 1 liter of distilled water and put it in a spray bottle. You can spray it inside your residence one time every hour.
10. Helps Get Sleep
If you are a patient with Insomnia or having difficulties related to sleep, you can use Ylang Ylang oil before bed. You should mix six drops of Ylang Ylag oil, two tablespoons of Rubbing Alcohol, and one cup of distilled water.
Then put this serum in a spray bottle over your sleeping pillow. This mixture affects heart rate and respiration. By using this serum, you will get calming and soothing effect. Eventually, by following this instruction, you may get lost in your dreamland by falling asleep.
11. Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Line
Ylang Ylang oil has anti-aging properties. It keeps your skin moisturized and prevents your skin from forming wrinkles. As a result, it holds your youth and helps you look younger.
Mix three drops of this oil with two tablespoons of Jojoba oil. Then gently massage it on the skin regularly. Regular use of this mixture will keep your skin soft and moist.
12. A Good Bath Salt
If you want to get all those benefits, like rejuvenating your skin, calming your mood, and treating sleeping difficulties, you may use Ylang Ylang oil as a Bath salt. Mix 10-15 drops of this oil, ten drops of Geranium oil, and ten drops of Lavender oil.
After mixing them properly, add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt. Your bath salt is ready to use. Try to mix these materials in a glass bowl. You will get a better outcome if you use mild warm water and bathe before bed.
Side Effects of Ylang Ylang essential oil
Ylang oil is entirely safe to use. But it would be best to make minor adjustments before using this essential oil.
- This oil is poisonous to dogs and cats. You should not use Ylang Ylang oil on pet skin. Moreover, you should not use this essential oil on those parts of the skin where your pet generally licks.
- Ylang Ylang oil contains Isoeugenol. It is an allergen that may have caused dermatitis. So if your skin is reactive and sensitive, you may have a patch test on a small portion of your skin before using it on a large scale.
- This oil is now a commonly used food additive. But if you are allergic to this oil, you may avoid this oil for use as a food additive.
- Like most essential oils, You should apply Ylang Ylang oil immediately on the skin or hair. You should dilute this oil with a light carrier oil.
Where to buy Ylang Ylang essential oil
Cananga odorata oil is already a reputed oil among health and beauty-conscious people. You can produce this oil very quickly in your home. If time matters to you, you may find it online and offline stores.
Online Stores
This oil is available in Amazon, Walmart, Aromatierra, Edensgarden, and many online stores. They have many categories of this oil, with many blends intermixed with other essential oil. Besides, many options are open for you regarding which carrier oil it diluted.
The price is very reasonable here, and many discount campaigns are available on special days. Universal online stores like Amazon and Walmart will ship this oil to your destination no matter where you live.
Offline Stores
If you are uncomfortable with online shopping, you may choose a local pharmacy and cosmetics shop. But pharmacies or medicine shops only have those with medical use. So they may require a prescription before selling Ylang Ylang oil to you. But in cosmetic shops, you will find only oil used for skin and hair, and they are pretty easy to buy.
Quick facts
- Ylang Ylang essential oil and Cananga oil are produced from the same plant family but from different species. So they are different.
- Unlike most essential oil, it is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
- This is a natural aphrodisiac. This oil is used in the bedroom of newlyweds in Indonesia.
- This essential oil has one of the best perfumes in the world. For this reason, this oil may help you with self-esteem.
- According to some research, Ylang Ylang oil is announced as the world’s best seductive essential oil.
Final Thought
Ylang Ylang essential oil has been used since ancient times for spiritual purposes. Though this oil has many health and beauty benefits, it is mainly familiar for its great odor and aromatic benefits. It promotes a night of good sleep, a relaxing mind, and low blood pressure.
So this oil is like an all-in-one package for you. By using this oil, you get not only a healthy mind but also healthy skin and body.
