Ylang-ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata), of intoxicating aromais extracted from the delicate and fragrant yellow flowers from a small tree of the same name, native to Indonesia and the Philippines.

Ylang ylang, also used to make perfumes, is usually grown in Madagascar and the Comoros Islandsfrom where it was imported. We also find it in South America and the Caribbean.

The tree has the peculiarity of flowering throughout almost the entire yearbut it is in autumn when it reaches its maximum flowering. They say that on the island of Nosi Be, in Madagascar, the aroma of ylang ylang permeates the air.

Traditionally, ylang ylang flowers were used to cover the bed of newlyweds, since aphrodisiac properties are attributed to them. They are also used to prepare a beauty oil for skin and hair care.

Ylang Ylang Properties

The distillation of ylang ylang essential oil is carried out in different phases, depending on the use given to it. Therefore, we actually find ourselves not with an essential oil, but with six different ylang ylang essential oilsall obtained from the same flower. They receive the name of extra superior, extra, complete, I, II and III.

For each of these ylang ylang essential oils, distillation time is different. It ranges from 30 minutes in the case of extra superior ylang ylang to 24 hours in the case of complete ylang ylang.

He «complete» ylang ylang essential oil It is what we usually use in aromatherapy for therapeutic purposes. Its floral and sweet aroma does not usually create unanimity, so it is necessary gradually become familiar with it. But once we have managed to «tame» it, we will hardly be able to do without this very beneficial essential oil.

• The biochemical composition of this essential oil is a balanced mixture of esters and sesquiterpenes to which interesting aromatherapy is attributed. relaxing, calming and anti-pain properties.
• Not only that: it is an excellent essential oil to take care of the mood, skin and hair.
• We can say that ylang ylang essential oil is a neurocosmetic: By exerting a relaxing and calming action on the nervous system, it has an impact on the health of the skin. It is well known that stress negatively affects our skin and we see this in pathologies such as psoriasis and eczema, which worsen when one is stressed.

How to use it

Ylang ylang essential oil will be very useful in the following situations:

1. To relax or calm hyperemotionality

When emotions feel like you’re on a roller coaster, the aroma of ylang ylang will help. regain some emotional balanceespecially if those highs and lows are related to menopause or hormonal cycles.

Prepare a roll-on (5 ml) and wear it like a perfume throughout the day:

1. Add 5 drops of ylang ylang essential oil to the roll-on.
2. Fill the jar with jojoba vegetable oil to the top.
3. Apply behind the ears and on the wrists.

2. For palpitations

Ylang ylang essential oil regulates heartbeatespecially when it comes to stress-related palpitations. You can follow this aromatherapy guideline:

1. Dilute one drop of essential oil with 3 or 4 drops of vegetable oil.
2. Apply to the chest and wrists when palpitations appear.
3. Reapply after about 20 minutes and it would even improve noticeably (maximum 5 applications).

3. For stabbing pain

Ylang ylang essential oil is excellent for soothing this type of pain thanks to its antispasmodic properties.

1. Dilute 2 drops of essential oil with 2 drops of vegetable oil.
2. Apply to the affected area.
3. Reapply after about 30 minutes and repeat until there is noticeable improvement (maximum 5 applications).

This application would also be used for menstrual pain and headaches.

4. For its properties for hair

Ylang ylang essential oil is recommended for oily hair because helps regulate sebum production.

• Can add 1 drop to your shampoo dose with each wash, to normalize the hair.

Another option is to make one mask for oily hair combining ylang ylang essential oil with ghassul clay (rhassoul).

1. Mix 3 tablespoons of ghassul clay and add warm water (or ylang ylang hydrosol) until you obtain a creamy texture.
2. Add 1 drop of ylang ylang essential oil and apply the mask to your scalp, massaging it.
3. Let it pause for 20 minutes and rinse.

After using this ylang ylang mask, no need to wash your hair. Ghassul can be used instead of shampoo, as it removes impurities and leaves hair silky and shiny.

5. For its properties for the skin

For oily skin, The ideal is to make a regulating preparation based on aloe vera gel and jojoba vegetable oil. You need:

• 30 ml aloe vera gel
• 15 ml jojoba oil
• 5 drops of ylang ylang essential oil

Follow these steps to prepare this gel with oils for oily skin:

1. Mix the ingredients and shake to emulsify the mixture.
2. Always shake before using it.
3. Apply morning and night after cleansing your face.

6. As an aphrodisiac

Ylang ylang essential oil is famous as an aphrodisiac, and because it really is! You can use it for sexual inappetence or as a sexual stimulant.

You can use it in several ways:

• Self-massage in the lower abdomen: You can give yourself a daily lower belly massage with 1 drop of ylang ylang essential oil diluted with 6 drops of jojoba vegetable oil.
• Couples massage: You can also use it with your partner for a mutual massage. Dilute 3 drops of ylang ylang essential oil in 30 ml of coconut vegetable oil. It can be applied all over the body, but avoiding the genital area.

7. As a sexy and sweet natural perfume

If you are looking for a sexy and sweet floral perfume, this is your essential oil! With the you can prepare it very easily and use it as a perfume throughout the day:

1. Add 7 drops of ylang ylang essential oil to a roll-on (5 ml).
2. Fill with coconut vegetable oil until the roll-on is full.
3. Apply behind the ears and on the wrists.

Precautions and contraindications

Ylang ylang essential oil is non-toxic, but should not be used pure on the skin.