Ylang Ylang Essential Oil's Relaxing Benefits

3 min to read
Andrea Butje
09/20/2021

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil has Relaxing Benefits for the Nervous System, Eases Stress, and Supports Sleep

We have a Ylang Ylang tree in our yard in Florida, and the flowers are so rich they can scent the entire block!

It's safe to say that Ylang Ylang likes to express itself.

It has a very calm, relaxing nature, but it definitely wants to be noticed everywhere it goes.

What we know about Ylang Ylang essential oil's benefits supports this—it's deeply relaxing for the nervous system and inspires a sense of emotional balance. Ylang Ylang offers beautiful support for sleeplessness and easing anxiety.

A good way to think about Ylang Ylang essential oil is as someone who walks around singing lullabies all the time—you'd definitely notice that . . . and it might put you to sleep!

In my book, The Heart of Aromatherapy, I imagined that Ylang Ylang essential oil would have its own music studio in Madagascar (where Ylang Ylang is a native plant). It would produce music for meditation and contemplation—the kind that makes you want to relax and just listen . . . until you fall asleep. 

Here's a quote from the book that might help you remember Ylang Ylang's personality:

Have you ever listened to a piece of music that dissolved your stress like magic and seemed to transport you to a place of complete peace? Maybe it even lulled you to sleep? That song might have come out of Ylang Ylang's recording studio in Madagascar! Ylang Ylang's friends from all over the world come to collaborate on songs. The studio's beautiful location inspires creativity, and Ylang Ylang diffuses essential oils during recording sessions to help everyone get in a relaxed, creative state of mind.

One of those friends is Frankincense essential oil.

Ylang Ylang essential oil and Frankincense collaborated on this diffuser blend together. (This recipe comes from The Heart of Aromatherapy.)

Frankincense's "Exotic Hypnotic" Diffuser Blend

  • 8 drops Frankincense essential oil (Boswellia carterii)

  • 2 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata)

You'll notice that there are only 2 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil in this blend. That low drop count is perfect for this potent, luscious floral oil. Any more drops, and it could drown out the aroma of the Frankincense or even give you a headache.

blog- sept 2- recipe - frankincense exotic hypnotic diffuser blend - 1200 x 1200- V1

Frankincense and Ylang Ylang essential oil's relaxing benefits are remarkably similar. They both soothe the nervous system, help calm cycles of overthinking and circuitous thoughts, support emotional balance, and can help us sleep. (They also both happen to be very skin-loving essential oils, great for topical blends like moisturizing oils or body lotions.)

Did the stories in this post help you remember Ylang Ylang's relaxing benefits?

Want to learn more about essential oils through stories and fun, effective recipes?

The Heart of Aromatherapy includes over 100 recipes like this one, fun and informative stories about essential oils, pictures from my visits to distillers and farmers around the world, and important information about essential oil safety and how to use essential oils well. There are recipes for skin care, respiratory health, natural cleaning, digestion, and more.

I would be honored if you'd pick up a copy for your Aromatherapy book collection!

Support yourself and others with natural anxiety relief. In our spotlight course, Natural Anxiety Relief with Essential Oils, you’ll gain familiarity with three chemical components found in essential oils that help calm the nervous system, ease anxiety, and even relieve pain! You’ll also learn how to make safe and effective natural remedies to address anxiety symptoms.

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