Have you ever heard of ylang-ylang?
Pronounced “eee-lang eee-lang”, this lesser-known essential oil is derived from steam distillation of the tropical ylang-ylang tree native to Indonesia, the Philippines, Polynesia and Ecuador and has been used since early the 20th century for its aromatic and medicinal properties. With a name that means “flower of flowers”, ylang-ylang has a sweet, floral aroma that makes it a popular ingredient in perfumes, including the highly coveted Chanel No. 5.
So what do you use ylang-ylang for? This powerful essential oil has countless surprising benefits from lowering high blood pressure to preventing wrinkles. Why ylang-ylang should become one of your essential oil staples?
Haircare: For centuries, ylang-ylang has been used as a hair thickening agent, as it stimulates hair follicles and boosts blood circulation on the scalp, helping hair to grow thick and long. Ylang-Ylang is known to balance and regulate oil production in skin and hair, while soothing inflammation and irritation. Add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner, or create a nourishing hair treatment by mixing it with coconut oil. (known to kill lice)
Skincare: A common ingredient in high-end cosmetics, ylang-ylang can help prevent wrinkles, clear acne, and give your face a delightful glow. It enhances circulation contributes and maintains hydration, conditions and prevents infections. Add a few drops to coconut oil and massage it onto your skin once or twice daily to give your face a little TLC.
Aphrodisiac: You heard that right. Throughout history, Indonesians have decorated the beds of newlyweds with ylang-ylang to set the mood on their wedding night. Known to increase libido, ylang-ylang is a sexy oil to diffuse during a sultry night in.
Heart health: Studies have shown that ylang-ylang can improve blood circulation and lower high blood pressure, without the serious side effects commonly associated with hypertension medications. Add a few drops to hot tea or take a few deep inhales directly from the bottle to start reaping the benefits. (kills bacterica)
Reduce anxiety: Much like lavender, the relaxing aroma of ylang-ylang can help calm the body and mind, sedating feelings of anxiety, depression, sadness, tension, sleeplessnesss and chronic stress from everyday life. Diffuse it in your home or office to manifest a tranquil, stress-free environment. Improves memory or attention in adults.
Energy boost: If you find yourself chronically fatigued, the energizing properties of ylang-ylang can instantly perk you up. Place a few drops on your diffuser jewelry to help get you through the day.
Medicinally: A natural anti-inflammatory, ylang-ylang can help soothe sore muscles when massaged directly onto the skin. Enhances the health of the nervous system, reduces the stress exerted on nerves, balances blood pressure levels and stabilizes the heart rate. You can also add a few drops to a warm bath to relieve those aches and pains.
Diffuse: To stabilize emotions, inspire feelings of relaxation, and create a hospitable atmosphere. For an aromatherapy blend that naturally enhances energy by addressing problems like constant tiredness, fatigue, body aches, and exhaustion, diffuse 2-3 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil. This is also known to immediately boost the mood, sedate the mind and body to alleviate factors leading to insomnia, and lower the body’s stress responses such as palpitations. Diffusing Ylang Ylang has the added benefit of working as an agent that enhances the inclination to socialize.
Diffuser: For positivity, happiness, and optimism: combine 2 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 2 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil, and 1 drop Bergamot Essential Oil.
Perfume: To create a natural aphrodisiac blend that can also be applied as a roll-on perfume, first pour 15 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil and 5 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil into a 10 ml bottle, add 2 tsp. of Grapeseed Carrier Oil and thoroughly blend it in with the other oils. This perfume can be applied to pulse points, such as the collar bone, neck, wrists, and inner elbows.
Face: Ylang Ylang Essential Oil can be diluted and applied to the skin to maintain its health. To reduce the signs of aging, to soothe irritation, and to generally protect the skin, simply dilute 1-2 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil in 1 Tbsp. Coconut Carrier Oil or Jojoba Carrier Oil, then gently massage it into the face 1-2 times daily.
Relaxing aromatic bath that is simultaneously romantic, combine 15 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 10 drops Geranium Essential Oil, 10 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil, and 2 cups Dead Sea Salt in a glass bowl. Pour this salt blend into a bath tub under hot running water. Before entering the tub, ensure that the salt has dissolved completely. Soak in this calming and balancing bath for 15-30 minutes to stimulate better circulation and to promote an affectionate mood.
Conditioning hair treatment that enhances the health, luster, and texture of strands, mix 2-3 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil into a 2 Tbsp. of Coconut Carrier Oil. Next, massage this blend into the scalp and smooth it down over the strands to the hair ends to prevent tangles, to soothe dandruff, and to reduce the chances of hair loss. Before showering, massage this blend into the scalp and hair, and allow it to soak for 20 minutes before washing it out with a regular mild shampoo. Alternatively, it can be diluted in Jojoba Carrier Oil or even in a regular conditioner.
For a massage oil blend that soothes tired muscles, combine 4 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 4 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil, 4 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil, 2 drops Bergamot Essential Oil, and 60 ml (2 oz.) Carrier Oil of personal preference. Suggested carrier oils include Argan, Macadamia, Olive, Sesame, or Sweet Almond. Next, cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all the oils. Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of days to ensure thorough mixing. When it is ready to be used in a massage, pour a dime-size amount into the palm of the hand, rub the hands together, and massage the oil over the body.
Aphrodisiac properties: Dilute 5 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 3 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil, and 3 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil in 1 tsp. of a Carrier Oil of personal choice. This enticing blend can be massaged onto the inner thighs before bed.
Face Cream with antioxidant effects that slow the look of aging: 1-2 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil can be added to a usual face cream. Alternatively, to make an all-natural face cream that exhibits the benefits of Ylang Ylang and that is valuable for use on combination skin, first combine ½ cup Shea Butter, 2 Tbsp. Rose Floral Water, and 1 tsp. Vegetable Glycerin in a blender. Once the mixture has been blended into a creamy consistency, which will be white in color, scoop the emulsion into an amber glass jar. To this, add 5 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil, and 3 drops Geranium Essential Oil. Next, using a thin stick such as a chopstick, thoroughly incorporate all the oils into the cream. To use this moisturizer, gently massage a pea-size amount into the skin. If stored in a clean, cool, dry place when it is not in use, this cream may be able to last for 6-12 months.
For a nourishing and hydrating body lotion that lifts, tones, protects and promotes the faster healing of skin, first place ¼ cup Olive Carrier Oil, ¼ cup Coconut Carrier Oil, ¼ cup Beeswax, and ¼ cup Shea Butter in a glass bowl. Place this bowl in a saucepan filled with water, then place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Stir together all the ingredients. After they have thoroughly combined, remove the bowl from the heat, allow it to cool down, and place it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Once the mixture hardens, take the bowl out. Next, with a regular mixer or a hand mixer, beat the blend. Once it reaches a fluffy and whipped consistency, mix in 2 Tbsp. Vitamin E liquid from a broken supplement gel followed by 20 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil, and 10 drops Myrrh Essential Oil. Once more, mix the combination until all the ingredients are thoroughly fused. Spoon this blend into a glass container. To apply this lotion, use the fingers to scoop a small amount into the hands, rub it between the palms, and massage it into the preferred area of skin. To store this lotion, keep it in a cool place when it is not being used.
To promote hair growth by stimulating circulation while eliminating the bacteria and inflammation that may cause hair loss: first pour ½ cup of Coconut Carrier Oil into a clean dark dropper bottle or container. Next, add 10 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil, and 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil. Cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all the oils. 1-2 hours before showering, massage this conditioning blend into the scalp and hair, and allow it to soak. When it is time for a shower, wash it out with a regular mild shampoo. This will leave hair feeling silkier and looking shinier Alternatively, a conditioning hair oil can be made by diluting 15 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil in ½ cup Sweet Almond Carrier Oil.
Hair perfume or body spray: that allows strands and skin to emit a long-lasting and pleasantly intense scent, combine 7-10 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 2 tsp. Aloe Vera Gel Juice, and 45 ml (1 ½ oz.) distilled water inside a 60 ml (2 oz.) spray bottle. Shake the bottle to thoroughly blend together all the ingredients, then spray it on the hair or on the skin as a regular spray-on perfume.
Medicinal applications: Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is known to stimulate circulation, ease pain and inflammation, and soothe mental ailments such as nervousness and sadness.
Massage oil: pour ½ cup of Coconut Carrier Oil into a 120 ml (4 oz.) amber glass bottle. To this, add 15 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil. Replace the bottle cap and shake the bottle well to ensure the oils are thoroughly combined. This massage blend can be applied to the feet, scalp, back, or hands.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil’s anti-depressant, sedative, and anti-spasmodic qualities are known to address and reduce the mood swings and cramps associated with pre-menstrual syndrome.
For a remedial massage blend that balances hormones and naturally eases these unpleasant symptoms related to the menstrual cycle, dilute 5 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil, and 1 drop Clary Sage in 2 Tbsp. of a Carrier Oil of personal preference. This massage blend can be applied to the lower abdomen and the lower back to release stiffness, pressure, aching, and cramping.
For an anti-septic oil blend that can soothe or diminish the appearance of acne, wounds, rashes, boils, and ingrown hairs, first pour 2 tsp. of Witch Hazel Distillate into a 10 ml (0.33 oz.) bottle. To this, add 2 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil and 2 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil. Apply this blend to the affected areas.
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