7 things to know about Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang oil is extracted from the blossoms of the Indonesian ylang-ylang tree, Cananga odorata, and is considered a remedy in many countries. The manufacturing process of the oil is much more complex than that of other essential oils and depending on the duration of the process, the fragrance of the oil also changes. It ranges from sweet-flowery to woody. Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) is particularly known for its exceptional and captivating fragrance. No wonder that perfumers discovered ylang-ylang for themselves in the 19th century!

Did you know that Ylang Ylang oil is one of the key fragrances of the world-famous perfume Chanel No. 5 ? Yup, it is a fact

The origin of ylang ylang

In Asia it is also widely used as a remedy. The essential oil has an antispasmodic and relaxing effect, and the smell also stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins are popularly called ‘happiness hormones’ because they have an analgesic and calming effect. Serotonin is also known as a feel-good hormone because it brightens the mood, is anti-depressive and motivates. We know serotonin primarily from the enjoyment of chocolate, since this too increases serotonin production in the brain.

The ylang-ylang tree was originally native to Indonesia and the Philippines. Ylang Ylang has traditionally been used as a medicinal plant to fight malaria.

The tropical tree’s scientific name is Cananga odorata. It belongs to the largest family of magnolia species, the Annonaceae. It needs a lot of sun, moisture and fertile soil. But it grows up to 25 meters relatively quickly.

After around 5 years, the trees begin to develop lush inflorescences. The flowers have up to 6 cm long, yellow or light green petals and smell intense. Today the tree is cultivated on numerous tropical islands around the equator, including Madagascar, Haiti and Zanzibar.

Psychological impact

Ylang-ylang oil is able to influence the release of various hormones in our body. Hormones are substances that directly affect our mood. One of the hormones that is influenced by ylang-ylang oil is the so-called serotonin. Serotonin affects our blood pressure and is responsible for whether we feel relaxed or agitated. A lack of serotonin leads to restlessness, nervousness and depression. Ylang-ylang oil promotes the release of this hormone and has a strong calming effect on our mind.

Another hormone, the release of which is influenced by ylang-ylang oil, is enkephalin. It is an endogenous pain reliever that is closely related to opiates. A lack of enkephalin leads to depression and a highly irritated mood. The increased enkephalin release increases our self-confidence and our performance.

The most important hormone, the production of which is stimulated by ylang-ylang oil, is endorphin. It is colloquially known as the ” happiness hormone ”. Too low an endorphin level in our blood puts us in a negative mood and can cause depression. The ylang-ylang oil has a cheering effect on our mind. Thanks to its relaxing, anticonvulsant effect, ylang-ylang oil can be used well for sleep disorders and occasional insomnia.

Ylang-ylang oil not only affects our hormonal balance, but also our memory. Elisabeth Wurglits states in her thesis that ylang-ylang oil can negatively affect our ability to concentrate. The oil is also said to have a strong aphrodisiac effect. It is supposed to increase our sex drive and promote libido. As a learning from this, don’t use it when you have a deadline, but when you want to whine down for the day or feel unsettled and want to calm your nerves.

Physical effect

Ylang-ylang oil not only has a great impact on our minds, it can also be used against a wide range of physical complaints. Interestingly, ylang-ylang oil works best against pathogens when combined with other essential oils. Together with thyme oil, it can destroy Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that is often resistant to antibiotics. Along with lavender and clary sage, in addition to Staphylococcus aureus, it also kills Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.

No 01 Ylang Ylang oil for high blood pressure

As already mentioned, ylang-ylang oil affects the release of serotonin in our body. This not only affects our mood, it also affects our blood pressure. Because serotonin is responsible for the tension of the blood vessel walls in our body. As the vessel wall tension changes, the pressure within the capillaries also changes. Serotonin reduces the tension in the walls of the vessels, which lowers blood pressure. This effect of ylang-ylang oil also results in its use against tachycardia. This term means the persistent high blood pressure with a value of over 100 beats per minute.

No 02 Ylang Ylang oil for menstrual cramps

One of the best known effects of ylang-ylang oil is surely that against the monthly menstrual cramps. Ylang-ylang oil has a very strong antispasmodic effect, which reduces the cramps in the lower abdomen during the period. The oil can also be used for premenstrual syndrome

The oil also has a strong antibacterial effect. This makes it very effective for inflammatory skin problems such as pimples. Ylang-ylang oil also inhibits the formation of melanin in the skin. It is therefore well suited to combat all types of hyperpigmentation, for example age spots. It also helps to compensate for the effects of too much sunlight.

No 03 Ylang Ylang oil to care for our skin

The treatment of various skin problems with ylang-ylang oil has proven to be particularly successful. Ylang-ylang oil is able to regulate the fat production in the sebaceous glands of our skin. So it helps with oily and too dry skin alike. If the sebum is produced excessively, the ylang-ylang oil lowers it; if the production is too low, the sebum glands are stimulated.

The oil also has a strong antibacterial effect. This makes it very effective for inflammatory skin problems such as pimples. Ylang-ylang oil also inhibits the formation of melanin in the skin. It is therefore well suited to combat all types of hyperpigmentation, for example age spots. It also helps to compensate for the effects of too much sunlight.

No 04 Ylang Ylang oil for athlete’s foot

A strong antifungal effect is attributed to the ylang-ylang oil. So it works against all types of skin, foot and nail fungus. The exact mechanism by which the oil works against fungi is not yet known. If the oil is dropped directly onto athlete’s foot or nail fungus, the fungus dies within a few days.

No 05 Ylang Ylang oil for cramps

Ylang-ylang oil has a very strong antispasmodic effect. This can be used to treat muscle spasms. But it also helps with severe stomach cramps.

No 06 Ylang Ylang oil against insects

In Java and Vietnam, ylang ylang has traditionally been used as a remedy for malaria. Several studies show that ylang-ylang oil is ideal for repelling insects, especially against various types of mosquitoes.

No 07 Ylang Ylang oil: potential in diabetes

Japanese researchers have found that ylang ylang’s plant compounds can be helpful in diabetes. They reduce aldose reductase, an enzyme reaction that converts glucose to sorbitol. This is the first step in converting glucose to fructose. With diabetes mellitus, however, the body produces too much sorbitol, which therefore accumulates in cells. This stored sorbitol exerts osmotic pressure and can cause damage to the nerves, kidneys and eyes.

In Summary

To celebrate Stress Awareness Month, we have launched our Limited Edition our Everyday Face Oil No2 where you can find the beautiful scent of Ylang Ylang. All other ingredients remain the same and we have replaced our original scent with Ylang Ylang. As outlined above, Ylang Ylang has wonderful relaxing properties to stimulate serotine which ultimately can help to make us feel more content when triggering the various hormones in our system. Thus we wanted to launch this Limited Edition during this period to calm our mind and find inner peace. In particular during those difficult times. Our Ylang Ylang Oil has a flowery to woody scent, thus not making it too sweet. And is also of organic origin.