What is Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?

Ylang ylang essential oil comes from the star-shaped flowers of Cananga odorata, a tall tropical tree prized across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia for centuries. The oil is obtained by steam distillation and is graded by distillation stage — Extra, I, II, III — with Extra being richest in aromatic top notes and most commonly used in clinical aromatherapy research. It has one of the most complex aromatic profiles in botanical medicine, containing dozens of active compounds that act together on the nervous system and skin.

How does Ylang Ylang Essential Oil work?

When inhaled, ylang ylang's volatile compounds interact with olfactory receptors that connect directly to the brain's limbic system — the hub for emotion and stress regulation — helping to calm the nervous system, slow heart rate, and lift mood. Applied to skin, its components absorb transdermally and contribute anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Research also suggests it may gently lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing sympathetic nervous system activity.

What forms does Ylang Ylang Essential Oil come in?

Most clinical and home use is via aromatherapy diffusion or topical application in a 1–2% dilution in a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond, or coconut oil. It is also found in commercial massage blends, hair masks, and skin serums. Undiluted (neat) application directly to skin is not recommended. Ingestion is not safe and should be avoided.

Where it comes from:

In Indonesian tradition, ylang ylang flowers were scattered on the beds of newlyweds and used in ceremonial hair oils. Malay folk healers applied the oil to treat skin infections, fever, and anxiety. French perfumers adopted it in the 19th century, and it became a cornerstone of Macassar hair oil, hugely popular in Victorian Europe. Modern aromatherapy formalized its calming and cardiovascular applications beginning in the late 20th century.

What does Ylang Ylang Essential Oil help with?

• Anxiety and stress: Inhaling ylang ylang has been shown in multiple human studies to reduce self-reported anxiety and lower physiological markers of stress like skin conductance. It works by calming the brain's emotional centers through the olfactory pathway, producing a noticeably relaxed feeling within minutes.
• High blood pressure: Several small human trials have found that both inhaling and applying ylang ylang topically leads to measurable drops in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It appears to do this by dialing down the body's fight-or-flight response, which lets blood vessels relax.
• Low mood and depression: Ylang ylang aromatherapy has been linked to improved self-rated mood and reduced feelings of tension in multiple controlled studies. The scent appears to shift the brain toward a calmer, more positive emotional state fairly quickly, making it a useful complementary tool for mild low mood.
• Fast or irregular heartbeat (tachycardia): Human trials have recorded significant reductions in heart rate following ylang ylang inhalation and massage, even in people with elevated baseline heart rates. This heart-slowing effect is one of its most consistently measured physiological actions.
• Sleep and insomnia: Ylang ylang is commonly used in sleep-supporting aromatherapy blends. Its calming effect on the nervous system and ability to lower physiological arousal make it easier to wind down before bed, and it is often blended with lavender for this purpose.
• Low libido: Ylang ylang has a long traditional reputation as an aphrodisiac, and its mood-lifting and anxiety-reducing effects can remove psychological barriers to intimacy. It is one of the most commonly recommended essential oils for this purpose in aromatherapy practice, though direct clinical trial evidence is limited.
• Dry or damaged hair: Applied to the scalp in a diluted carrier oil, ylang ylang may help balance oil production and support hair strength. It has traditionally been used in Macassar hair preparations, and some small studies suggest scalp massage with the oil may improve perceived hair quality and shine.
• Oily or acne-prone skin: Ylang ylang contains antimicrobial compounds that may help control acne-causing bacteria on the skin. It is also thought to help regulate sebum production, making it a popular ingredient in natural skincare for combination and oily skin types.
• Tension headaches: Applying a diluted ylang ylang blend to the temples and neck, or inhaling it, may help ease tension headaches by relaxing muscles and lowering the stress response that often drives them. Its use for headaches is rooted in traditional practice and supported by its well-documented muscle-relaxing and anxiolytic effects.

What can Ylang Ylang Essential Oil help prevent?

• Stress-induced blood pressure spikes: regular aromatherapy use may help keep blood pressure from rising during high-stress periods

Which foods are rich in Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?

Ylang ylang essential oil is not found in food — it is an extracted plant oil used aromatically and topically, not consumed. To support the same goals (calm nervous system, healthy blood pressure, better mood), focus on a diet rich in magnesium (dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds), omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish, flaxseed, walnuts), and antioxidant-rich foods (berries, dark chocolate, green tea). Reducing caffeine and alcohol also supports the calming, heart-rate-lowering outcomes ylang ylang is used for. Lavender tea and chamomile tea are the closest dietary analogs in terms of mechanism.

What are the side effects of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?

• Skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis (most common with undiluted use — always dilute in carrier oil)
• Headache or nausea from prolonged or intense inhalation of concentrated oil
• Sensitization with repeated high-concentration exposure (use proper dilutions)
• Dizziness, especially when combined with blood pressure-lowering effects
• Scalp sensitivity if applied too frequently at high concentrations

Good to know:

Ylang ylang is well-tolerated by most people when used as directed — diffused aromatically or diluted to 1–2% for skin application. It has a strong scent, and overexposure or undiluted use are the most common causes of problems.

How much Ylang Ylang Essential Oil should you take?

• Recommended daily: Aromatherapy: 3–5 drops in a diffuser for 30–60 minutes. Topical: 1–2% dilution (about 6–12 drops per 30 mL / 1 oz of carrier oil). Massage blend: 2–3 drops combined with other essential oils in 10 mL carrier oil.
• Best time of day: Evening for relaxation, sleep support, and blood pressure reduction. Anytime for mood support or topical skin and hair use.
• With or without food: Not applicable — ylang ylang is used aromatically or topically, not ingested.
• Time to effect: Mood, heart rate, and blood pressure effects: 15–30 minutes during aromatherapy session. Skin and hair benefits: 4–8 weeks of consistent use.
• How long to take it: Can be used regularly as part of a wellness routine. Take occasional breaks from daily diffusion (e.g. 5 days on, 2 days off) to prevent olfactory adaptation and reduce sensitization risk. Topical hair and skin use can be continued indefinitely at appropriate dilutions.