Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: 6 Benefits, Uses & DIY Recipes for Hair, Skin, and Health

Pinterest users from all over the world are saying “yes!” to Ylang Ylang aromatherapy for it’s calming, relaxing, and skin-boosting effect. It’s popularity in search is up 91% compared to last year.

I had to write about this trending topic because I am Filipino and I grew with these flowers all around me as a little girl. As you can see in the picture below, vendors typically sell these blooms of Philippine’s national flower Sampaguita (the Filipino Jasmine) paired with Ylang Ylang for leis. These leis were typically hung on the rear view mirror of our car.

 

Source: Avrotor Blog

What is Ylang Ylang?

Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata) essential oil comes from flower petals of the large, tropical Ylang Ylang tree grown in tropical areas throughout the Polynesian Islands, Asia, especially in Indonesia and my beautiful country; the Philippines.

What Does it Smell Like?

It’s heavenly! It is also spelt Ilang-Ilang, and often called perfume tree. In Tagalog; (my Philippine language) means “flower of flowers.” It is beautifully fragrant, with a heavy, sweet, slightly fruity floral scent. Did you know that it’s one of the main notes in many of the most popular fragrances today, including Chanel No. 5 and Joy Perfume?

6 Benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil and Where to Apply It

1. Strengthens the Immune System and Lowers High Blood Pressure

Helps improve immune function and lowers inflammation, which is a leading contributor to heart disease, autoimmune and cognitive-related disorders.
Known to improve blood flow and fight inflammation, Ylang supports a healthy circulatory system.

Where to apply it: Massage a single drop daily over the heart combined with a carrier oil.

2. Mood Booster

• a mild, natural antidepressant
• helps fight insomnia and chronic fatigue syndrome

Quick Remedy: For a natural home freshener add 4 drops into a diffuser or massage it into your skin.

Natural and effective, essential oil inhaler sticks are great when you’re on the go. Leave one in your purse, gym bag, night drawer, carry-on bag, in your pocket when you’re hiking…everywhere really! The best part of it is you only need one ingredient.

 

 

Easy DIY Ylang Ylang Inhaler for Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Ingredients

• 1 drop off Ylang Ylang essential oil
• 1 inhaler with wick

Instructions

• Add a few drops of oil to the wick and place it in the inhaler.
• When ready to use remove the cap, put the inhaler into your nostril, and breathe deeply.
• When you find the scent fading simply add more oil to the wick.

 

 

RELATED: 50 Simple Self Care Ideas for Stress-Relief

3. Radiant Skin

• Anti-aging, reduces acne and helps with skin irritations. (eczema and dermatitis)
• Powerful at fighting the development of skin cancer cells and melanoma.

Simple Remedy: Mix one to two drops with coconut or jojoba oil and gently massage it to your face on your cleansed skin morning and or cleansed evening skin.

DIY All-Natural Face Wash for Radiant Skin

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp sweet almond oil or jojoba oil
• 1/3 cup castile soap
• 10 drops Ylang essential oil
• 6 drops Patchouli essential oil
• 4 drops Lemongrass essential oil
• 2/3 cup distilled

Instructions

• Pour the castile soap, sweet almond oil (or olive oil) into a foaming soap dispenser.
• Add the essential oils and swirl.
• Add filtered water and screw on the top.

DIY All-Natural Anti-aging Ylang Ylang Face Mist

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of organic rose water
• a few drops of vitamin E oil
• 3 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil
• 4 oz. glass spray bottle

Instructions

Pour all ingredients in the glass bottle and you’re done! Simply shake the bottle before use and mist away.

 

 

4. Natural Energizer

Energizing and useful for fighting fatigue or body aches.

Alcohol Free DIY All-Natural Energizing Body Spray

Ingredients

• 100ml distilled water
• 50 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil

Instructions

• Add the essential oils and distilled water into the spray bottle.
• Shake before using.
• Store in your mini fridge.

It’s that simple!

5. Natural Hair Care Product

• helps prevent tangles, dry scalp and dandruff
• hair loss remedy

DIY Ylang Ylang Scalp Remedy for Hair Growth, Strength and Shine

Ingredients

• 5 drops of essential Ylang-Ylang
• 2 tablespoons of warm oil organic coconut oil

Instructions

• Mix ingredients in a bowl.
• Massage into your scalp.
• Wrap with a warm towel.
• Leave on for 30 minutes.
• Wash with your favorite natural shampoo and conditioner.

6. Aphrodisiac

Can help increase the libido of both men and women.

Remedy: diffuse it in your room, inhale it from the bottle, add a drop to your body lotion, or even apply a small amount to your bed sheets or shirt collar.

3 Ways to Use Ylang Ylang

1. Aromatherapy: Use a diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle.
2. Topically: Make sure you combine your Ylang essential oil with coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio before applying it to your skin. Always test for skin sensitivity by dabbing a bit of the mixture behind your ear before using it throughout the body.
3. Internally: ONLY recommended with very high-quality oil brands but it is very powerful so personally I would not use this method.

What are The Side Effects of Ylang Ylang?

• Use this oil sparingly since high levels can cause side effects.
• Always test on a skin patch first before using on your face, skin or ingesting.
• If you take blood pressure medications or have an existing heart condition, talk to your doctor before using it.
• Safe for children.
• Pregnant women and those nursing should use in very small amounts.
• NOT safe for dogs or pets.

Summary

As you can see the benefits and uses for this awesome flower are plentiful. With spring and tropical season around the corner for most of North America and Europe this is a great time to try these natural remedies and DIY recipes. Enjoy!