Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Posted on April 7, 2025 by AyurvedicOils

Ylang Ylang essential oil is an eminent value addition to the perfume and cosmetic industry. Not many of us knew this name a few decades back and thanks to the cosmetic industry that has spread the magic of this herb just like forest fire.

The use of Ylang Ylang and its oil can be attributed to the ancient times as historical references indicate the use of aromatic plants by mankind for more than thousands of years. The essential oil of Ylang Ylang has innumerable Ayurvedic health benefits that you will certainly be amazed at.

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Historical uses and importance of Ylang Ylang oil:

Popularly known as the flower of flowers, all the parts of the Ylang Ylang tree has a celebrated history both in the West and the East. This tree is indigenous to Indo-Malaysia, Philippines and Java. It was used in salves to heal cuts, scrapes, insect bites, snake bites and few other skin disorders in Philippines.

The Ylang Ylang petals are spread over the bed of newly married couples in Indonesia for its mesmerizing aroma and sensual effects.

The essential oil of Ylang Ylang was used in making of antimacassar, an ornamental chair cover that prohibited the Macassar oil from discoloring the upholstery. This oil was also used as a prominent ingredient in Macassar oil, an effective hair pomade.

Ylang Ylang was also used as a medicinal herb in treating chronic disorders like typhus, malaria and intestinal infections. Few sources reveal that the prominent therapeutic properties were initially identified in the early 20^th century by famous French chemists Rechler and Garnier on the Reunion Island.

Every part of the Ylang Ylang tree is used for various purposes and the entire tree is claimed to be highly beneficial in many ways. The people of Java use the paste of fresh flowers to treat asthma and the dried flowers to treat malaria.

In Samoa and Tonga, the bark of the Ylang Ylang tree is used as a laxative and to treat stomach disorders. The timber of this tree is used in canoe making and construction works. In Cook Islands this timber is used for making furniture, wooden shoes, crates, fishnet floats and lathe turnings. Ylang Ylang is considered as a culturally important and as a sacred tree.

Chemical constituents or Gas Chromatography Report (GC) of Ylang Ylang oil:

According to the Gas chromatography report, Ylang Ylang oil is constituted of about 8 major chemical components that add to the aroma, consistency, quality and therapeutic values of this essential oil.

Just click on:

Benzyl acetate
Linalool
Benzyl salicylate
Geranyl acetate

For knowing more about the exclusive information of these key constituents of Ylang Ylang oil.

The table below on the Gas Chromatography report talks about the principal chemical constituents and its role in granting the therapeutic and other attributes to Ylang Ylang oil.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil:

The most incredible thing about Ayurveda is that it considers every individual as a ‘unique person’ with special individual constitution known as doshas. Ayurveda considers illness as a sign of imbalance in the system as Ayurvedic philosophy states that ideal health can be attained only by having a strong immune system and is a symbol of perfect harmony between a person’s mental, physical and spiritual wellness.

This ancient methodology trusts in treating mankind with the theory of five senses namely vision, smell, taste, touch and sound through colors, aroma, herbs, Abhyanga or Ayurvedic massage with essential oils and music respectively.

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids extracted from plants using steam distillation. Every individual has a unique combination of three doshas (metabolic principles controlling mind and body) known as vata, pitta and kapha and the individual’s character, personality and health is often determined by the predominance of any of these dosha types. Imbalance of doshas acts as the basis of diseases where,

Vata imbalance causes weak memory, insomnia, dry skin, constipation and anxiety.
Pitta imbalance causes heartburn, acne, anger, indigestion, excess perspiration and criticism.
Kapha imbalance leads to obesity, respiratory disorders, water retention, sluggishness, possessiveness and uncaring.

With gentle, uplifting and moisturizing properties, Ylang Ylang essential oil is suitable in treating vata and pitta imbalances like frigidity, impotence, acne, boils, dry skin, wrinkles and skin irritations.

In their popular book ‘Ayurveda and Aromatherapy’, Light Miller and Bryan Miller say that individuals with imbalanced vata need warming up, calmness, relaxation, boost in self-esteem, sensuality for an attached life with their partner and using aphrodisiac essential oils like Ylang Ylang aids in augmenting the functional and hormonal ability of the sex organs.

People with pitta imbalance need help for venting out their anger and unwanted tension to experience their elated personality. Essential oils extracted from flowers like Ylang Ylang helps in supporting such conditions with their calming and cooling tendency.

The Ayurvedic health benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil are:

1. Excellent oil for skin care:

Ylang Ylang essential oil is very effective and versatile in toning and stimulating the skin cells mainly because of its power to balance the production of sebum, making it suitable for all types of skin and as a promising remedy for treating Seborrhoeic Eczema.

The soothing, anti-seborrhoeic and antiseptic properties of this oil supports in treating skin inflammation, boils, skin irritation, chapped lips, acne, wounds, burns, blemishes, wrinkles, dry skin and few other signs of aging. Adding few drops of Ylang Ylang oil in your skin care lotion will help you in retaining the moisture of the skin, leaving it healthy and glowing.

2. Long, lustrous hair:

An ancient tribe known as Bori Bori used the Ylang Ylang flowers as a hair conditioner by mixing it in coconut oil. They also rubbed these flowers all over the body and decorated themselves by making necklace, headdresses, natural crowns and garlands for its splendid fragrance and curative values.

Massaging few drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil blended with coconut oil or almond oil aids in promoting hair growth, preventing hair loss, nourishing the scalp, augmenting the natural shine of the hair, making it long, lustrous, healthy and voluminous. What else? You are all set to be the proud owner of beautiful hair and gorgeous looks.

3. Relaxing and harmonizing:

Ylang Ylang essential oil is proved to be clearing heart fire and calming the heart due to the sedative quality of its primary constituent Monoterpene Alcohols. The traditional system of healing using aromatics suggests the use of Ylang Ylang essential oil to reduce and regulate rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and rapid breathing as it mainly supports the fourth chakra i.e, the heart chakra because of its connection in the initiation of the heart spirit.

An Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research on ‘Essential Oil Inhalation on Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects’ proved that inhaling essential oil blend with ylang ylang, neroli, lavender and marjoram proved effective in controlling blood pressure and is strongly recommended for preventing the progression of hypertension. This research also proved that “Ylang-ylang oil lowers blood pressure, alleviates palpitations and nervous system excitation, and promotes emotional relaxation”.

Another research titled “Evaluation of the harmonizing effect of ylang-ylang oil on humans after inhalation” by Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand conducted a study on the effects of Ylang Ylang essential oil on human physiological parameters like pulse rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and breathing rate while self-evaluation was assessed in terms of mood, calmness, relaxation, attentiveness, vigor and alertness.

This research proved that Ylang Ylang oil has a harmonizing effect that is momentous in lessening increased pulse rate and blood pressure as well as efficacious in increasing subjective alertness and attentiveness.

4. Firm foe for depression and other mental disorders:

With its sedative, calming, uplifting, nervine, anti-depressant, relaxing, euphoric and regulative properties, Ylang Ylang essential oil is a solid enemy for mental depression, stress, anxiety, insomnia, nervous tension, mood fluctuations, anger and few other mental disorders. This oil aids in balancing hormones and effectively assists in mood swings associated with menopause and PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome).

A study published in PubMed on ‘Relaxing effect of Ylang Ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption’ proved that Ylang Ylang essential oil is of great value in causing calmness, relief of stress and depression in humans.

You can use it as soothing massage oil blended with any of your favorite carrier oils like Jojoba oil, coconut oil or olive oil. Ylang Ylang essential oil can also be used in compresses, in candles, diffusers or air fresheners. Adding few drops to your bathing tub with warm water can alleviate stress and induce good night’s sleep.

5. Long lasting love and lust:

Ylang Ylang flowers and the essential oil extracted from these flowers are banked upon mainly for the aphrodisiac values adorned by its balsamic, floral, sweet, misty and woody aroma that aids in balancing male and female energy levels. It can significantly reduce emotional conflicts between these apparent opposites.

The sensual fragrance of Ylang Ylang essential oil is simply ideal for the perfect dream nights with your partner. It has positive influence on sexual feelings, tones the reproductive system, grants pleasure, treats lack of confidence and is also powerful in treating impotence and frigidity.

6. Perfect Partner of the Perfume industry:

The compelling fragrance of Ylang Ylang essential oil will make you stand out of the crowd. It is for this natural floral and delicate scent, ylang ylang oil is used in a handful of renowned perfume brands like Chanel No. 5, Escape by Calvin Klein, Beautiful by Estee Lauder, Acqua di Gio by Armani, Champs-Elysees by Guerlain and Poison by Christian Dior. Hmmmmm……………….Haaaaaaaaaaa…….. Doesn’t that smell so good? Absolutely it does.

Other uses:

Apart from all these health benefits, Ylang Ylang oil and the other parts of this tree are used in treating intestinal tract infections, symptomatic manifestation of malaria, fevers, epilepsy, tachycardia, agitation, distress, restlessness and other psycho-emotional imbalances. It is also used in making soaps, cosmetics and shampoos.

You will be surprised if I say that Ylang Ylang oil is also used as a safe flavoring ingredient in the food industry. A well-known study on “Safety assessment of Ylang Ylang as a food ingredient” indicated that “Ylang-Ylang oil has a long history of fragrance and food flavoring use, with no indication that its estimated consumption from food flavoring use (0.0001 mg/kg/day) has led to any adverse human health effects and at the current level of intake as a food ingredient, Ylang-Ylang oil does not pose a health risk to humans”.

Ylang Ylang essential oil is extracted from the star-shaped Ylang Ylang flowers and indeed it is a STAR OIL of all times and one more astonishing news is that it requires approximately 50 pounds of Ylang Ylang flowers to obtain 1 pound of Ylang Ylang essential oil.

Disclaimer:

This article is just for your information and do not ingest any essential oils or apply them directly to your skin without proper consultation with your Ayurvedic Practitioner, as every individual is unique and one that suits you might not suit your partner or your kid.

The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) of Ylang Ylang oil is readily available for your enhanced safety and superior usage.

Gas Chromatography Report (GC) of Ylang Ylang oil.

Thought for the day:

It was very pleasant to savor its aroma, for smells have the power to evoke the past, bringing back sounds and even other smells that have no match in the present.

-Tita

Suggested Reading:

The Healing Trail:: Essential Oils of Madagascar by Georges M. Halpern, Peter Weverka
HEALING POWERS OF YLANG YLANG OIL (The Aromatherapy Professional: Healing with Essential Oils) by KG Stiles
How to Use Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Aromatherapy) by Miriam Kinai
Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Dr. Light Miller, Dr. Bryan Miller

Reference Links:

Aromatherapy from Ayurveda’s Perspective by Yayoi Stavish
Cananga Odorata (Ylang-Ylang) by Pacific Island Agroforestry
Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption by PubMed
Essential Oil Inhalation on Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects by In-Hee Kim, Chan Kim, Kayeon Seong, Myung-Haeng Hur, Heon Man Lim and Myeong Soo Lee, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2012

Ayurvedic Essential Oils And Mood Blends

Posted on April 3, 2025 by AyurvedicOils

Mood differs from season to season, from person to person, from time to time and from odor to aroma. Sounds confusing? Let me put in more specific terms, Christmas brings in joy, New Year brings in newness, Halloween brings in adventure, Valentine’s Day brings in romance and Independence Day brings in patriotism. Each and every occasion is special on its own. Aromatic therapy or Aromatherapy is a part of Ayurveda, where aroma is used in treating illness and improving health conditions. It is based on the principle that natural fragrances, especially from pure essential oils can affect our moods, and consequently change the way we think or feel at any given time. Aroma affects our moods through the action or the start of the limbic system where the therapeutic properties of natural essential oils are slowly passed on to the entire system.

Pure essential oils support wellness and are extracted from various parts of a plant like flower, leaf, stem, resin, stalk, root, fruit, bark and seed. Ayurveda suggests the use of natural and wholesome essential oils instead of the synthetic or artificially fragranced oils because only pure essential oils will have the prana, otherwise known as the vital celestial energy to revivify your senses, enliven the mind and stimulate the key channels of the body for spreading the essential energy for strength and efficacy in an uniform manner. There are innumerable Ayurvedic essential oils, each of which can support some or the other moods of human beings. Let’s now look at the most predominant types of moods and the mood swings along with the essential oils that support such situations with their therapeutic properties.

1. Oils for depression: Depression is a deadly disorder that can literally spoil your days. The National Institute of Mental Health says that “Depression is a common but serious illness”. It causes extreme pain to you and to your near ones also. Ayurveda is the best way of treating depression as it has everything to soothe your senses and calm your mind. It suggests meditation and yoga for replenishing your mind, soul and spirit, while granting you an opportunity to realize your worth and come out of your deep mental worries. The best Ayurvedic essential oils for depression are Lavender essential oil, Rosemary essential oil, Frankincense essential oil, Jasmine essential oil and Ylang Ylang essential oil that can help one come out of depression with their calming, stimulant, antidepressant, nervine, sedative and hypotensive properties.

2. Oils for stress: We never knew that stress is the root cause for many major health disorders. Stress brings with it certain threatening symptoms like increased heart rate, high blood pressure, muscular tension, improper functioning of the digestive system, insomnia, weakened immune system and much more. Practicing an Ayurvedic routine along with the comforting and relaxing essential oils like Lemon oil, Bergamot oil, Lavender oil, Chamomile oil, Ylang Ylang oil, Patchouli oil, Peppermint oil and Orange oil.

3. Oils for loneliness: Nothing else like isolation and the feeling of loneliness can harm us, during the adverse times when we really need someone besides us. The best thing that Ayurveda, the mother of all healing sciences suggests is to speak with God through meditation and by offering a small prayer. This brings in the real difference and you will naturally inculcate the feeling that ‘You are not lonely anymore’. Few drops of Rose oil, Roman Chamomile oil, Frankincense oil, Clary Sage oil or Bergamot oil added either to your bath tub, diffuser or to your hankie will bring in the real energy to fight lonesomeness and support your mind.

4. Oils for anxiety and grief: Anxiety imparts nervousness along with an uneasy feeling, leading you to worry, stay restless, experience difficulty in sleeping, concentrating and few other health problems like nausea, headache and diarrhea. Most of the times work pressure, post-pregnancy blues, difficult terms in relationships, health problems or financial crisis may lead to anxiety disorder and would gradually make you sad. Ayurvedic essential oils like Sandalwood oil, Lavender oil, Cedarwood oil, Frankincense oil, Mandarin oil, Neroli oil, Rose oil, Ylang Ylang oil and Jasmine oil will regain the strength and confidence to face the tougher situations of life.

5. Oils for fatigue and fear: Oh! A single day with 3 important meetings, 2 conference calls, 4 reports to submit and attend to the queries of your subordinates is more than enough to make you tired, twisted and weary. This is called as fatigue. The fear of losing a job, a relationship or failing the examination, insecurity, pregnancy etc will make you panic. The best way to get out of it is to practice Pranayama, the art of breathing. Ayurveda suggests that deep breathing and meditation grants inner peace and strength, helping one to come out of fear and fatigue. A warm bath after your tiresome work with few drops of consoling essential oils like Peppermint oil, Rose oil, Lavender oil, Rosemary oil, Lemon oil, Bergamot oil, Frankincense oil, Sandalwood oil and Basil oil can grant you the warmth and energy that your mind and body demands.

Ayurveda considers that unhealthy or problematic relationships are the fundamental reason behind most of the problems mentioned above. This vitalizing science also grants incredible ways to maintain healthy relationships for your well-being.

Caution: Do not apply essential oils directly to your skin as pure essential oils are highly concentrated and may harm your skin or cause other allergic reactions. Consult your Ayurvedic Practitioner before using the right essential oils for your individual body type.

Thought for the day:

Nothing helps a bad mood like spreading it around. –Bill Watterson

Suggested Reading:

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Ayurvedic Essential Oils For Depression

Posted on April 1, 2025 by AyurvedicOils

Please don’t disturb me……… Leave me alone……. I need some private space …… Are the 3 solid statements behind the killer problem ‘Depression’…. I’m not threatening you. Depression when left unnoticed will turn out as a major health issue leading to the extreme situation of all illnesses. It might even cause death. Sudden break in a relationship, losing your job, chronic health disorders, death of a dear one, work pressure and certain other traumatic conditions may be the reasons lying behind depression.

Ayurveda is one among the oldest healing methodologies, when studies reveal that it is more than 5,000 years old with proven remedies for a perfect and harmonized living with nature, how can it be without a remedy for the ‘dangerous depression?’ Of course, Ayurveda has the best cure for depression as it deals with mind and body together with the touch of senses, feelings and emotions. When depression being a disarray of the mind, what else than Ayurvedic essential oils can treat this from the scratch??? Think and come let’s discuss about depression in detail.

What is depression? Depression is a universal problem and it cannot be restricted to people of a particular country or a continent. According to the Medical Dictionary, Depression is defined as ‘a mood disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide’. In Ayurvedic terms, depression and other disorders related to the mind are known as ‘Mansik Rog’. When you are depressed, your days seem blue and ‘down in the dumps’ and the earth will look as if it has stopped rotating.

Ayurvedic way of healing depression: According to Ayurveda, essential oils are said to lighten tejas i.e. augment mental brilliance and clarity. Unlike the modern antidepressants that suppress the depressed minds, Ayurveda kindles the mind and body by revitalizing the senses while giving a new life and a powerful wave of vitality. It aims at strengthening the nerves and supports the depressed person to strike the right balance of Ayurvedic doshas for complete fitness.

It is a well-known fact that Aromatherapy is a branch of Ayurveda, which uses aromatics as a vital tool for the treatment and prevention of numerous health disorders with the help of Ayurvedic essential oils. The natural and enriching fragrance of Ayurvedic essential oils rejuvenates the mind and senses through the limbic system. The most celebrated essential oils to treat depression are:

Rosemary essential oil: This oil is a mental stimulant that counters depression, nervous exhaustion, frequent mood swings, stress disorders and helps uplift your spirit. Inhaling the evergreen aroma of this oil from a tissue will give you clarity, relaxation and keep your thoughts focused towards a positive energy.
Lavender essential oil: Here comes my ‘darling’ essential oil. Lavender is an excellent stimulant that can invigorate your entire system with its antidepressant and stimulating properties. The magical fragrance of this oil when added to your bath tub or used as a massage oil with any of your favorite carrier oils can work the wonder by granting a calming as well as soothing effect on your body. It relaxes your muscles, strengthens your broken feelings, treats anxiety, alleviates stress and induces good sleep, helping you to recover slowly and steadily from depression. The rich and floral aroma of Lavender augments the alpha brain wave frequency in the backside of the brain, which is related to calmness.
Ylang Ylang essential oil: The name itself has a sense of sweetness blended with healing values. Known popularly as the ‘flower of flowers’, Ylang Ylang oil is trusted to treat depression as it instills a calming effect on the nervous system and guarding you in case of stress, depression, anxiety, fear, high blood pressure, sleeping disorders and hypertension with its antidepressant, sedative, hypotensive, nervine and antiseptic properties. Dr. Miriam Kinai’s book on ‘How to use Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Aromatherapy)’ will be of great use to you in improving your entire health and vitality.
Frankincense essential oil: This is an extremely useful oil for its highly valuable therapeutic properties. The exceptional aroma of Frankincense essential oil grants you the promising ray of hope that you long for while you are depressed. Sadness, anxiety, loneliness, confusion, disappointment and other problems related to depression can be perfectly kissed with the benefits of this oil.
Jasmine essential oil: Ah! Jasmine! What a mesmerizing fragrance it has? This natural floral mist is a mood enhancer used in alleviating pains, treating anxiety and soothing depression. The attention-grabbing aroma of this flower boosts the beta waves in the front part of the head, which is generally associated with a receptive state of mind and vigilance.

Depression is easy to pronounce but exceedingly intricate to experience. If checked in the initial stages and treated in a systematic manner with the proper advice of your Ayurvedic practitioner can help you swim against the tide easily.

To experience the beauty of life, all you need to do is to just clear the spider’s web that has rusted your thoughts and feelings……..….If you can’t then who can??????

Thought for the day: “Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well“

Suggested reading:

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