Touted as one of the most popular herbal tinctures used in aromatherapy, ylang-ylang essential oil bestows one with a soothing experience and has the power to restore the mind and body. Right from treating anxiety, depression, hypertension, headache, digestive distress, gout, improving sexual function, and enhancing wound healing, Ylang-Ylang essential oil does it all. Also Read: Top 5 Essential Oils To Revamp Your Skin Health

Known for its sweet floral fragrance, the plant is found in the tropical regions of the Philippines, Indonesia, Java, Sumatra, Polynesia, and Comoro. The oil is usually extracted via the steam distillation method from the star-shaped ylang-ylang flowers which goes by the botanical name Cananga odorata. The essential oil is not only known for its curative properties but also quite famous for its cosmetic applications.

Although the ylang-ylang essential oil is only obtained from the Cananga flowers through the steam distillation method. But depending upon the number and order of the distillation process, it portrays 5 different varieties. The first fraction from the distillation is the strongest and most concentrated form which is branded as “Extra”. The successive distillations thereafter are marked as “First”, “Second”, “Third”, and “Complete”. The “complete” variety which usually contains all the previous four distillates has the closest composition of the ylang-ylang essential oil and is used for varied purposes.

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The presence of bioactive components like benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate linalool, caryophyllene, methyl benzoate, geranyl acetate, and p-cresyl methyl ether offers a wide array of therapeutic properties including, antidepressant, sedative, aphrodisiac, antiseptic and antispasmodic properties. Owing to its characteristic aroma and properties, the benefits of the ylang-ylang oil are now available in the form of liniments for tired, tender muscles, headache, pain relief oil for joint pain, rash creams, soaps, shampoos, oils, moisturisers and many more.

This article sheds light on the five potent uses of the versatile ylang-ylang essential oil:

Health Benefits Of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil

Prevents Stress And Depression

Being a potent mood enhancer, Ylang-ylang essential oil plays a significant role in thwarting off depression and eliminates various symptoms of anxiety which include uneasiness, restlessness, cold hands, and feet, etc. It also actively helps to uplift mood and promote feelings of hope and joy. The potent antidepressant properties of the oil not only helps in reducing irritability and improving energy and stamina but also treating nervous breakdowns and acute depressions after an accident or shock. 

Alleviates Inflammatory Conditions

Owing to the presence of potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and pain-relieving properties of the active component isoeugenol, this oil is extensively used for providing relief from pain and inflammation in the case of arthritis and joint pain. This essential oil also helps to cure Seborrheic conditions by lowering the irritation and redness by regularizing the production of sebum. Also Read: 5 Amazing Essential Oils To Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Add 2-3 drops of Ylang-ylang essential oil to any carrier oil and massage it directly on to the painful joints to get relief.

Manages Blood Pressure

Recent researches suggest that the presence of bioactive components in ylang-ylang essential oil has a relaxing and soothing effect on veins and arteries. It helps dilate the blood vessels, thereby reducing the heart rate and flow of blood. It is also found to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, thus keeping hypertension at bay.

Facilitates Wound Healing

Touted for its antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, Ylang-ylang essential oil effectively heals wound and prevents skin infections. The soothing effects of the oil not only prevents itching and burning sensation but also helps in disinfecting the wound or bite to prevent further spreading of the infection. Being a natural antiseptic, it has also proven beneficial in the case of tetanus and sepsis by preventing the growth of microbes and infection of wounds.

Promotes Sexual Pleasure

The extensive aphrodisiac nature of the herb and the essential oil obtained from it helps in reducing mental stress and anxiety and stimulates the hormones for increasing libido in both men and women. It also increases virility and stamina in men.