Ylang Ylang

Cananga odorata

Floral

Ylang Ylang is known as “the king of the flowers”.The cheaper varieties of the oil can be quite sickly sweet in high concentrations, whereas the better quality oils have a more subtle, less overpowering, flowery aroma. Buy wisely, essential oils are like everything else-you tend to get what you pay for.

Ylang Ylang  is helpful for calming tension, fostering optimism and lifting negative moods. It is regarded as an aphrodisiac and tends to work equally well for women and men. It’s intimate aroma increases sensuality, lessens inhibition, and it is reputed to alleviate performance failure in men and frigidity in women.

Aromatherapists use Ylang Ylang in cases of hypertension, tachycardia and palpitations to calm the mind and to lower the blood pressure. For this reason, it can be invaluable to inhale during a panic attack, and it will slow the abnormally fast breathing (over-breathing) associated with this form of acute anxiety.

Mentally and emotionally, Ylang Ylang can calm anger, fear and irritability. It heals negative feelings of guilt, jealousy, insecurity and selfishness and is a confidence giver to the shy and unsure. A few drops inhaled from a tissue can be very helpful and reassuring for someone who lacks self-confidence. It is also helpful to treat shock.

For skincare, Ylang Ylang  has balancing and toning effects and  is suitable for all skin types. It is excellent  for care of the hair too and in Victorian times, it was an ingredient of the famous Macassar hair oil, which was used by both sexes to pefume the hair and promote lustrous growth at the same time.

Contraindications-the intensely sweet aroma can cause headaches, so use in moderation. Avoid in cases of hypotension.

Blends well with Patchouli, Rose Otto, Sandalwood, Lavender, Cedarwood and citrus oils.