15 Ylang Ylang Oil Benefits and Nutrition Value

Ylang-ylang essential oil has been shown to have a calming and relaxing effect that can help reduce stress and anxiety. The sweet, floral aroma of this is believed to stimulate the release of "feel-good" neurotransmitters like serotonin, which can improve mood and induce a sense of well-being.

Likewise, studies have found that inhaling its oil can lower blood pressure and heart rate, which helps to alleviate physical symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Plus, the balancing properties of ylang-ylang may also contribute to its ability to regulate the body's stress response, making it an effective natural remedy for managing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

How to Use?

• Diffuser: Add a few drops of Ylang Ylang oil to a diffuser.
• Bath: Mix a few drops with carrier oil and add to a warm bath.

Its essential oil has been shown to help lower blood pressure, which makes it beneficial for those with hypertension. Studies have found that inhaling the fragrance of ylang-ylang can significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in healthy individuals.

The calming and relaxing effects of this oil are believed to be the mechanism behind its hypotensive properties, as reducing stress and promoting relaxation can help lower blood pressure.

How to Use?

• Topical Application: Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to pulse points.
• Aromatherapy: Use in a diffuser during stressful times.

The oil contains properties that can stimulate blood circulation to the scalp, which helps to nourish the hair follicles and encourages stronger, more vibrant hair.  Similarly, ylang-ylang has been shown to help regulate sebum production, which can prevent dry, brittle hair and dandruff.

By applying ylang-ylang oil to the scalp, it can help strengthen hair strands and prevent breakage, leading to improved hair growth over time. The oil's rich vitamin content also helps to fortify and condition the hair, making it an excellent natural remedy for those struggling with thinning or slow-growing hair.

How to Use?

• Scalp Massage: Mix with a carrier oil and massage into the scalp.
• Hair Mask: Add a few drops to your favorite hair mask recipe.

In addition to the benefits, ylang-ylang essential oil is great for cardiovascular health because it helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and reduce stress-induced hypertension.

Studies show that inhaling Ylang Ylang can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and support healthy circulation. Additionally, it helps prevent heart rhythm disorders, making it a powerful tool for maintaining overall heart health.

How to Use?

• Inhalation: Add 5-10 drops of ylang-ylang oil to a diffuser and run it for 30 minutes, 2-3 times per day. Or, place a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball and inhale deeply for 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times daily.
• Topical Application: Mix 2-3 drops of oil with 1 tsp of carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil. Massage this blend firmly over the heart area for 5-10 minutes, twice daily. Or, you can add 5-10 drops of oil to a warm bath and soak for 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times per week. 

It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce oxidative stress and fight free radicals, helping to prevent premature aging and smooth wrinkles.

It also helps balance sebum production to regulate oily and dry skin, while its antibacterial effects can cleanse and heal the skin, treating conditions like acne and eczema.

Additionally, its soothing and mood-boosting aromas can relieve stress, which is known to negatively impact skin health. 

How to Use?

• Facial Moisturizer: Mix 1-2 drops of ylang-ylang oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil and apply it to your face and neck after cleansing.
• Acne Treatment: You can add a few drops of oil to a carrier oil and dab it directly onto blemishes.
• Skin Toner: Combine 2-3 drops of ylang-ylang with witch hazel or rose water in a spray bottle.

Its oil has a strong aroma that insects find unpleasant, making it an effective natural insect repellent. It contains compounds like linalool and geraniol, which interfere with insects' sense of smell, deterring them from the area.

Studies show Ylang Ylang is particularly effective at repelling mosquitoes, including those that transmit diseases like malaria and dengue fever. It can also be combined with other essential oils, such as citronella or lemongrass, for even more potent insect-repelling blends.

How to Use?

• Insect Repellent Spray: Mix 10-15 drops of this oil with witch hazel or vodka in a spray bottle and mist this onto your clothing, skin, or outdoor surfaces.
• Candles or Torches: Add a few drops of ylang-ylang oil to unscented beeswax or citronella candles.

The soothing aroma of ylang-ylang helps reduce stress and anxiety, which are common triggers for tension headaches and migraines. When inhaled, the oil can lower blood pressure and heart rate, promoting a sense of relaxation that alleviates the pain and discomfort associated with headaches. 

Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce inflammation which can contribute to headache pain.

How to Use?

• Topical Application: Apply a few drops of diluted oil to your temples, forehead, and the back of your neck when you feel a headache or migraine coming on, as the compounds in the oil are absorbed through the skin.
• Aromatherapy: Diffuse this essential oil in your living or work space to inhale its soothing aroma. 

The aroma of ylang-ylang has been shown to improve focus, concentration, and mental clarity, helping to boost productivity and cognitive performance. It can also enhance memory by promoting a calm, focused state of mind.

Additionally, its ability to reduce stress and anxiety indirectly benefits cognitive function, as lowered stress levels are associated with improved decision-making and overall mental acuity.

Studies suggest the oil can even help regulate brain wave activity, shifting the balance towards alpha waves linked to a relaxed, attentive state.

How to Use?

• Diffuser: Use the oil in your workspace to maintain a calm environment.
• Inhalation: Inhale before tasks that require focus and mental clarity.

Effectively promotes wounds due to its potent antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that disinfect wounds and prevent infections. Likewise, it has strong anti-inflammatory effects that reduce irritation and pain. It boosts skin cell regeneration, helping wounds heal faster. 

In addition, it improves blood circulation, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area while flushing out toxins. Its calming aroma relieves stress and anxiety, which can slow down the healing process.

How to Use?

• Antiseptic Spray: Mix 2-3 drops of ylang-ylang oil with witch hazel in a spray bottle. Spritz this antiseptic blend directly onto cuts, scrapes, or other minor wounds to disinfect and prevent infections.
• Wound Healing Massage Oil: Dilute 15 drops of oil in 1/2 cup of coconut carrier oil. Massage this blend into the skin around the wound to facilitate healing.
• Topical Application: Apply a small amount of undiluted oil directly to the wound using a cotton swab.

This essential oil can provide support for respiratory health in several ways. The oil's calming and antispasmodic properties can help relax the airways, making it easier to breathe. It also has antimicrobial effects that can help fight respiratory infections and reduce inflammation in the lungs.

Additionally, its ability to lower blood pressure and heart rate can indirectly benefit respiratory function by reducing strain on the cardiovascular system.

How to Use?

• Diffusion: Add a few drops of ylang-ylang oil to an essential oil diffuser and inhale the aromatic vapors. It can help soothe the respiratory tract and promote easier breathing.
• Topical Application: Dilute its oil in a carrier oil and gently massage it onto the chest and back. It can help relieve respiratory congestion and tightness.

Because of its unique chemical composition, ylang-ylang oil is often used to help balance hormones. As we know, the oil contains compounds like linalool, geranyl acetate, and benzyl benzoate that can interact with the body's endocrine system and influence the production and regulation of hormones.

It has a calming, aphrodisiac-like effect that can help alleviate hormonal imbalances, whether it's PMS or menopausal symptoms. The oil's ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation is also key because stress is a major contributor to hormonal fluctuations.

How to Use?

• Topical Application: Apply a few drops of oil diluted in a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba, to your wrists, temples, and abdomen. It helps regulate hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone by interacting with the body's endocrine system.
• Aromatherapy: Spread this essential oil in your living or work space to enjoy its calming, mood-boosting effects.

This is highly effective at relieving menstrual cramps due to its calming, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-balancing properties. The oil's exotic, floral aroma has a relaxing effect that can lower stress levels and promote a sense of tranquility, which is crucial for managing period pain.

It also contains compounds like linalool and geranyl acetate that can interact with the body's endocrine system to help regulate hormone production and alleviate cramps.

How to Use?

• Topical Application: Apply a few drops of diluted ylang-ylang oil to your lower abdomen and lower back. The oil's anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing properties can help soothe cramps and cramps.
• Aromatherapy: Spread out ylang-ylang oil or inhale it directly from the bottle. The calming aroma can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can deepen menstrual cramps.

Ylang-ylang essential oil is considered an effective natural aphrodisiac due to its ability to interact with hormone secretion and influence sexual desire. The oil contains various compounds like linalool, caryophyllene, and geranyl acetate that have been shown to have a positive impact on libido.

Further, the aromatic and calming properties of ylang-ylang can help reduce sexual anxiety, promote feelings of relaxation and sensuality, and stimulate the production of hormones like dopamine and serotonin that are associated with sexual arousal and pleasure.

How to Use?

• Massage Oil: Combine with a carrier oil and use for romantic massage.
• Diffuser: Use in the bedroom to create a relaxing and sensual atmosphere. 

Another benefit of ylang-ylang is its oil can help alleviate insomnia due to its calming and calming properties. The soothing floral aroma of ylang-ylang has been shown to relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep.

Likewise, studies have found that using this alongside other relaxing essential oils like lavender can improve overall sleep quality.

How to Use?

• Spread ylang-ylang oil in your bedroom 30-60 minutes before bedtime to create a calming atmosphere.
• Add a few drops of ylang-ylang to a warm bath to ease muscle tension and promote relaxation before sleep.

Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, supporting the immune system is one of the benefits of ylang-ylang. The compounds, such as linalool, have been shown to reduce inflammation and fight harmful bacteria.

It can help strengthen the body's natural defenses against illness and infection. Additionally, its calming effects on the nervous system can indirectly boost immunity by reducing stress, which is known to weaken the immune response.

How to Use?

• Diffusing ylang-ylang oil in your living or work space can help purify the air and eliminate harmful airborne pathogens. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of ylang ylang can help strengthen your body's natural defenses against illness and infection.
• Diluting its oil with carrier oil and applying it topically can help reduce inflammation in the body. The anti-inflammatory compounds in ylang ylang can support overall immune function and help the body fight off infections more effectively.

The nutritional profile of ylang-ylang focuses on the composition of its essential oil rather than typical macronutrients found in food.

• Methyl benzoate - 34.00%
• 4-methyl anisole - 19.82%
• Benzyl benzoate - 18.97%
• Isocaryophyllene - 9.28%
• Germacrene D - 8.15%
• Alpha-farnesene - 2.73%
• Linalyl acetate - 2.11%
• Alpha-caryophyllene - 2.04%
• Copaene - 1.65%
• Cadinene - 1.25%

These components contribute to the oil's various health benefits, including its use as an anti-depressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, hypotensive, and sedative agent.

While ylang-ylang is not typically consumed as food, its essential oil can be applied topically or used in aromatherapy to take advantage of its health benefits. It is vital to use it with care, as it can cause allergic reactions or skin sensitivity in some individuals.

Here are the key points about the side effects and precautions of using ylang-ylang essential oil:

Side Effects

• Its oil may cause irritation and contact dermatitis in some people due to the compound isoeugenol.
• High doses of ylang-ylang oil may cause headaches, nausea, and sedation.
• Its oil may affect hormone levels, so it should be used cautiously by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• People with low blood pressure should use ylang-ylang oil with caution, as it can further lower blood pressure.

Precautions

• Perform a skin patch test before using ylang-ylang oil topically to check for any allergic reactions.
• Avoid using ylang-ylang oil near the eyes, inner nose, ears, and other sensitive areas of the skin.
• Keep this oil away from children, as they are more sensitive to essential oils. It is not recommended for children under 6 years old.
• Consult a healthcare provider before using ylang-ylang oil if you are taking any medications or have a medical condition, especially heart or blood pressure issues.
• Use ylang-ylang oil in moderation, as high doses can cause adverse effects. Plus, follow dosage instructions carefully. 

Overall, ylang-ylang oil is generally safe when used as directed, but caution is advised, especially for sensitive individuals and those with certain health conditions.