Surprising Benefits Of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
The health benefits of ylang ylang essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an antidepressant, antiseborrheic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, nervine, and sedative substance. It is also used for lowering high blood pressure.
This essential oil was not widely known about until very recently, but with thousands of cosmetics products and their advertisements flooding the global media, it soon became a household name and a favorite of aromatherapists.
What is Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?
The essential oil of ylang-ylang is extracted by steam distillation of fresh flowers of the ylang-ylang tree (Cananga odorata). It is commonly found in the rainforests of certain Asian and South Pacific Islands like Indonesia, Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Comoro, and Polynesia.
The chief components of the essential oil of ylang-ylang are benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, linalool, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, methyl benzoate, p-cresyl methyl ether, and other components known as sesquiterpenes, all of which contribute to its aroma and medicinal properties.
Antidepressant
According to research published in 2006, ylang ylang essential oil can relieve depression in humans and is, therefore, often used in aromatherapy. It fights depression and relaxes the body, thereby driving away anxiety, sadness, and chronic stress. It also has an uplifting effect on the mood and induces feelings of joy and hope. It may be an effective treatment for those undergoing nervous breakdowns and acute depression after a shock or an accident.
Antiseborrheic
Seborrhoea or seborrheic eczema is a health condition that is caused due to malfunctioning sebaceous glands. This disorder results in irregular sebum production and the consequent infection of the epidermal cells. It looks very painful, since the white or pale yellow skin, whether it is dry or greasy, starts peeling off. This normally happens on the scalp, cheeks, eyebrows and wherever else hair follicles are found.
A 2017 study on the use of essential oils like ylang-ylang essential oil for the treatment of skin diseases shows that it can be beneficial in curing eczema. It also helps reduce acne, dermatitis, and skin irritation and by regularizing sebum production and treating the infection itself.
Antiseptic
Wounds like cuts, abrasions or burns come with a chance of the wound becoming septic from various bacterial infections. The risk of complications is even greater if the wound is because of an iron object, as there remains a chance of it becoming infected by tetanus germs. Research suggests that the essential oil of ylang-ylang can help avoid both sepsis and tetanus by inhibiting microbial growth and disinfecting the wounds. This property also protects wounds from infections of bacteria, viruses, and fungus. It also speeds up the healing process of the wound.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
A study published in the ‘Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine‘ journal revealed that ylang-ylang exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.
Aphrodisiac
The essential oil derived from ylang-ylang is widely used as an aphrodisiac. This oil can be beneficial for people who have lost interest in sex due to tremendous workload, professional stress, depression, or the effects of pollution. The loss of libido or frigidity is a growing problem in modern life, but relying on natural essential oils like ylang-ylang can help you increase your libido.
Lowers High Blood Pressure
A study published in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation on the effects of ylang-ylang on blood pressure states that it is an effective agent for treating hypertension and other heart problems. In recent times, since high blood pressure is a major health epidemic and the drugs for lowering it have serious adverse side effects on health, ylang-ylang oil has proved to be an easy and natural solution. It has no adverse side effects on health if taken in prescribed quantities.