Read on for tips on how to use ylang ylang essential oil – a very popular oil with a rich heady deeply floral aroma.
You can use Ylang Ylang essential oil for a number of common applications – and it will transport you to a tropical paradise – all in a small bottle.
Ylang Ylang is known to have a calming effect, so it provides excellent support if you are feeling stressed. Interestingly, it is also commonly referred to as an aphrodisiac – no doubt due to it’s ability to make you feel a tad more relaxed to allow l’amour to pervade your being.
Depending on your goal, blend with pure jojoba oil and one or two drops of pure Rich Earth Bergamot, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, or Vetiver essential oils.
1. Ylang Ylang as Perfume
The oil from ylang-ylang is widely used for oriental or floral-themed perfumes (such as Chanel No. 5). Ylang-ylang blends well with most floral, fruit, and wood scents.
Make your own natural perfume. Mix 20 drops ylang ylang with 10mL of jojoba oil. Put in a stylish glass roller bottle. Roll onto the inside of your wrists and behind ears. M-mmm.
2. Use Ylang Ylang for Rich Shiny Hair
Ylang ylang has a very old and traditional use as a deep hair conditioner. Mix 4-7 drops of ylang ylang oil with 2-4 tablespoons of jojoba oil (you’ll need less for very short hair, more for longer hair). Massage this into dry hair and leave for at least 30 minutes.
The effect is even better if you can wrap your locks in a plastic wrap and then a warm towel – the heat helps the oils to penetrate the hair shaft.
Shampoo well to get all of the oil out of the hair. Leave to dry naturally or blow-dry (warm, not hot, setting) and style.
3. Ylang Ylang has a long history of use for Stress
Make a mix with 10 drops of ylang ylang, 6 drops bergamot and 2 drops of patchouli in a 10mL glass roller bottle and top up with jojoba oil. Use as a perfume to aid you staying calm and centred. Renew if feeling stressed.
4. Ylang Ylang can be used to Calm High Blood Pressure
This oil is so calming that studies have shown that it can lower the blood pressure or calm the body when experiencing palpitations.
Rub one drop of ylang ylang on the palm of your hand and rub over the heart area. Hold that hand up to your nose and calmly inhale for 4-5 breaths.
5. Use Ylang Ylang for Sleep
Sleep is quite possibly one of the most important predictors of health.
If you have trouble sleeping, ylang-ylang’s components, shown to interact with GABA (a calming brain chemical), may just help you get that all-important sleep you need.
In your diffuser (not a burner) put 2 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops vetiver and 3 drops of lavender and activate it before going to bed.
An alternative is to put the blend in a 10mL glass roller bottle and apply to the upper chest area at bedtime.
6. Use Ylang Ylang to Bring Joy
In the diffuser put 2 drops bergamot, 2 drops grapefruit and 1 drop of ylang ylang. Smile!
7. Ylang Ylang to Soothe Fractious Children
Use a room diffuser with 1 drop of Ylang ylang and 2 drops of mandarin oil. Keep candle burners out of the reach of children.
8. Use Ylang Ylang as a Calming Bath Treat
MIx 3 drops of ylang ylang with 3 drops of geranium with 1 cup of Epsom salts. Dissolve in a warm bath. Immerse your body and relax for for 20 minutes.
9. Ylang Ylang to Aid Aphrodite
Make a massage blend by mixing 3 drops of ylang ylang, 4 drops of pure rose oil, 5 drops of orange and 2 drops of sandalwood with 50 mLs of Sweet Almond Oil. Enjoy a mutual massage session to get in the mood.
A word of caution: Ylang-ylang may sensitise some people. We recommend a patch test before topical application.
