Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Its Uses And What It Is

Ylang Ylang essential oil is derived from the Cananga Odorata plant, also known as Ylang Ylang. The name of the plant is derived from the Tagalog word "ilang-ilan"which translates as rare, though the root word "ilang" means wilderness. It is a good oil for the skin and hair. It normalises levels of sebum in the skin thus counteracting oily skin and acne, stimulates cell growth and promotes healthy hair. It is helpful in the treatment of high blood pressure. Plus it is also considered an aphrodisiac. You can discover more on Ylang Ylang essential oil uses, and the wonderful calming state they bring to you, below.

Plant

Cananga Odorata is an evergreen member of the custard-apple family and a native of the Phillipines, it also grows in Indonesia and throughout the South Pacific. It is fast growing, able to grow approximately 5 meters per year, though it has an average height of just 12 meters in ideal conditions. It prefers full or partial sun, with an acidic soil, much as is found in its normal rainforest environment.

The leaves vary between 13 and 20 centimeters in length, are glossy, smooth, oval with pointed ends and have wavy margins. The flowers, which yield the wonderful essential oil, resemble a Star-Fish with six long narrow droopy petals, these are usually a greeny-yellow colour though occasionally they can be pink, they also have long stems.

Essential Oil Characteristics

The essential oil is extracted from the flowers via steam distillation and comes in various grades depending on when it is obtained, the best oil is obtained from flowers picked in the morning with the highest grade being Extra. The oil itself is slightly yellow in colour and clear in nature, with a medium viscosity. The aroma has a base note which is sweet, floral and exotic in character with a slight hint of custard.

Constituents

The main constituents which yield the useful properties are linalool, germacrene, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene, p-cresyl methyl ether, benzyl acetate, methyl benzoate and sesquiterpenes.

Safety Note For Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Heavy usage should be avoided as it can cause headaches and nausea, though in regular amounts it is a safe oil to use.

Lignan Dicarboxylates and Terpenoids from the Flower Buds of Cananga odorata and Their Inhibitory Effects on Melanogenesis.

"The methanolic extract from the flower buds of Cananga odorata showed an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated murine B16 melanoma 4A5 cells... Moreover, the biological effect of these compounds was much stronger than that of the reference compound, arbutin. Thus, these isolated terpenoid derivatives may be promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of several skin disorders."
Matsumoto T, Nakamura S, Nakashima S, Fujimoto K, Yoshikawa M, Ohta T, Ogawa K, Matsuda H.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24601675

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Uses

Ylang Ylang essential oil uses have historically been good with skin conditions and promoting healthy luxurious hair. It has the effect of balancing sebum production in the skin, something which when irregular can lead to acne and oily skin, or alternatively dry skin. By regulating the production the skin can achieve a healthy balance and appearance. It promotes hair growth too, so is useful in the treatment of hair loss. Plus it has a good effect in terms of stress relief and treating nervous conditions such as anxiety and shock.

The Therapeutic Effects Of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Anti-Depressant
Anti-Diabetic
Anti-Inflammatory
Antibacterial
Antidepressant
Antifungal
Antiseborrhoeic
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Aphrodisiac

Cell Proliferant
Disinfectant
Expectorant
Hypotensive
Nervine
Regulates Heartbeat
Sedative
Tonic
Vasodilating
Vulnerary

The anti-depressant and tonic effects of Ylang Ylang essential oil come through well whatever you are treating. Its ability to uplift and restore the body and mind helps with conditions that often underlie other issues, stress being a factor in most dis-eases and other conditions. The mental and emotional health relief that this aroma brings thus enables many issues to be over come at the same time.

It is partly due to these effects that it is used as an aphrodisiac. Whilst it also does other things concerning the blood flow to help, the majority of issues affecting performance and desire are related to stress, mental and emotional health. By helping the mind and heart to become calm, and thus desire to return, as well as stimulating blood flow in a healthy way, Ylang Ylang comes in to its own as a good aphrodisiac.

Conditions That It Helps With

Acne And Oily Skin
Anxiety
Arterial Hypertension
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Depression
Diabetes
Dry Skin
Frigidity
Hair Growth
Hair Loss
Impotence

Increase Libido (Men And Women)
Insomnia
Intestinal Infections
Palpitations
Reduce Hyperpnea
Releases Facial Muscle And Tension
Shock, Fear And Panic
Skin Conditions (Blemishes, Smoothes, Wrinkles, Pre-Mature Aging)
Stimulates New Cell Growth (Skin)
Tachycardia
Tension

As has been mentioned it has a strong effect on the heart and mind, something which is jointly euphoric and calming at the same time. Something akin to the sense of relief and joy that is attained from starting a much needed vacation. Whilst this helps with the other conditions that have been mentioned already it helps with cardiac health too.

The effects of stress on cardiac health are high. Talk to any doctor about cardiac health, high blood pressure and stress and they will talk about links between them. This oil helps to calm and ease cardio conditions. Enabling a healthier circulatory system to be fostered.

Points To Note On Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Uses

Whilst this oil can be almost soporific and deeply calming, use in high doses should be avoided as they can lead to headaches and nausea. Keeping to normal amounts, just 3 to 4 drops in an aroma diffuser or topical application will keep you safe from those and able to enjoy the positive effect of Ylang Ylang.

Getting the best in terms of the calming and uplifting, improved skin condition, cardic health and other Ylang Ylang essential oil uses depends on using a quality source of the oil. By using a a good oil you will achieve far more, with many lower grades having little if any therapeutic value. You can access a good source of essential oils here, and discover more on essential oils here.