Ylang Ylang Oil: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Ylang ylang oil is made from the flowers of Cananga odorata genuina. It is sometimes inhaled as aromatherapy or applied to the skin as medicine.

Ylang ylang oil is used as a food flavoring and as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps. It contains chemicals that might make people feel calm.

Ylang ylang oil has been used for lice, memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), high blood pressure, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.

Do not confuse ylang ylang oil with Cananga oil. Cananga oil is made from the flowers of a similar plant, called Cananga odorata macrophylla.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Ylang Ylang Oil overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Ylang ylang oil is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if ylang ylang oil is safe when taken in larger amounts as medicine.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ylang ylang oil is safe. It might cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Ylang ylang oil is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in larger amount as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Ylang ylang oil is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use by mouth in larger amounts as medicine. Ylang ylang oil is possibly safe when applied to the scalp in combination with other herbs. It might cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Ylang Ylang Oil overview.

Dosing

Ylang ylang oil is sometimes used as a flavoring in foods or as a fragrance. When used as a medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of ylang ylang oil might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

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Hongratanaworakit T, Buchbauer G. Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption. Phytother Res. 2006;20(9):758-63.

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Tarumi W, Shinohara K. The Effects of Essential Oil on Salivary Oxytocin Concentration in Postmenopausal Women. J Altern Complement Med 2020;26(3):226-230.

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Amadéo S, Nguyen NL, Teai T, et al. Supportive effect of body contact care with ylang ylang aromatherapy and mobile intervention team for suicide prevention: A pilot study. J Int Med Res 2020;48(9):300060520946237.

de Freitas Junior RA, Lossavaro PKMB, Kassuya CAL, et al. Effect of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo. Molecules 2022;27(12):3666.

Napavichayanun S, Sujarit AS, Pienpinijtham P, Sarikaphuti A, Aramwit P. Effect of Lavandula angustifolia and Cananga odorata on decrease of blood pressure in high blood pressure volunteers: A randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY) 2023.

Sirkeci I, Cagan O, Koc S. The effect of ylang oil and lemon oil inhalation on labor pain and anxiety pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2023; 52:101748.

Zhang N, Wang ST, Yao L. Inhalation of Cananga odorata essential oil relieves anxiety behaviors in autism-like rats via regulation of serotonin and dopamine metabolism. J Integr Med 2023;21(2):205-214.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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