Ylang Ylang Oil
Ylang ylang oil comes from Cananga odorata flowers. It had the most positive skin patch tests among oils in one clinic network, and small inhaled trials show mixed effects.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Safety first. In a review from a dermatology clinic network (IVDK, 2010 to 2019) of 10,930 patients tested in an aimed way with 12 essential oils, ylang ylang (I + II) oil gave the most positive reactions, at 3.9%. [1] These patients had skin problems, so the figure is not a rate for the general public. A review of ylang ylang as a food ingredient also says the oil has been reported to cause skin sensitization reactions in animals and humans, and that the responsible constituents are unclear. [2] Essential oils are not for swallowing; a poison-centre review found that oils such as camphorated and eucalyptus oil can be harmful or life-threatening if ingested by children. [3] Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) if an oil is swallowed, or 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing. See Essential oil safety.
What it is
Ylang ylang oil is distilled from the fresh flowers of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson, a tree in the family Annonaceae. [4] [2] It is a complex chemical mixture. [2] Labels may list "I", "II" or other grades; what those grades mean is not described in the sources we read. [1]Traditional use and beliefs
A review of the plant says it has traditionally been used for malaria, stomach ailments, asthma, gout and rheumatism. [5] That is traditional use only and is not evidence of effect. The same review says the oil is used in aromatherapy and is believed to be effective for depression, high blood pressure and anxiety; this is a belief, and the trials below are what we can actually check. [5]What research shows
All human studies below are small and most use inhaled oil. Smell is hard to blind, and a 2025 meta-analysis of inhalation aromatherapy flagged lack of blinding and mixed study designs. [6]| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and people studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure in healthy men | Inhaling ylang ylang lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a 29-man study. [7] | Preliminary; biomarker | Inhaled, healthy volunteers |
| Body response and mood | With 24 healthy volunteers, the oil lowered blood pressure and pulse yet raised alertness; the authors said the effects were mainly due to a subjective odor experience. [8] | Preliminary; biomarker | Inhaled |
| Memory and mood | In 144 volunteers, ylang ylang impaired memory and slowed processing speed but increased calmness, versus no aroma. [9] | Mixed | Inhaled |
| Anxiety before a hospital procedure | 44 patients: salivary alpha-amylase was lower with the oil than placebo, but anxiety scores improved in both groups. [10] | Mixed | Inhaled overnight, first-time patients |
| Anxiety in nurses | In a 34-person pilot, no differences between groups in anxiety or physiology. [11] | No good evidence of benefit | Skin or inhaled |
| Dental anxiety in children | 60 children aged 6 to 10: ylang ylang and lavender each lowered anxiety versus placebo. [12] | Promising but limited | Inhaled, children |
| Blends that include ylang ylang | A lavandin, bergamot and ylang ylang mix gave better sleep scores than placebo in 42 cardiac rehabilitation patients. [13] A sweet orange, lavender, bergamot and ylang ylang blend showed no significant anxiety change in ICU nurses. [14] | Insufficient evidence for ylang ylang alone | Inhaled blends |
The evidence is therefore mixed, and nothing here shows ylang ylang oil treats depression, high blood pressure or any other disease. A change in blood pressure in healthy volunteers is a biomarker, not a health outcome. If you take blood pressure medicine, whether the oil adds to its effect is not described in the sources we read; ask a pharmacist. For goals, see Essential oils for anxiety, stress and mood.
Forms and why they matter
The trials used oil on cotton balls, on paper attached to a gown, or applied to skin, and some used blends. A skin application in the nurse pilot is not the same as inhaling. [11] Results for one product or delivery do not transfer to others. Quality and adulteration are covered on Essential oil purity and adulteration.Uses studied and safety checks for Ylang Ylang Oil
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people or only from the lab, which way the oil was used (scent, on skin or swallowed) and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one way of using an oil does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (4)
- Skin allergy and patch tests. In a German dermatology-clinic network (2010 to 2019), ylang ylang (I + II) gave the most positive patch tests among 12 oils tested, 3.9% of 10,930 patients; an earlier European study reported 2.5% to 2.6% for two grades. These were patients with skin problems, so not a rate for the public.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. A 1999 review said that the safety of aromatherapy oils in pregnancy, childbirth and babies had not been clearly demonstrated. A ylang-ylang-specific statement was not found.
- Swallowing: poison center warnings. Poison Control says some essential oils are very dangerous if swallowed, even in small amounts, and oils that reach the lungs can cause pneumonia. For a swallowed oil call 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your local emergency number. No oil-specific case was found for ylang ylang.
- Children and pets. Poison Control says children have thin skin and immature livers and may be more vulnerable; it advises keeping oils out of reach of children and pets. Oil-specific statements for ylang ylang were not found in the sources we read.
Ylang ylang scent, calm and anxiety (inhaled)
Preliminary or mixedSmall trials of inhaled ylang ylang give mixed results: one found more calmness, one found lower stress-hormone marker before a hospital procedure while anxiety scores improved in both groups, and a pilot in nurses found no difference between groups.
Supplements: Research is on the scent or oil itself; it is not a nutrient and not a treatment. Mixed results; nothing here shows it treats anxiety.
Blood pressure and pulse after inhaling (healthy volunteers)
Preliminary or mixedIn two small studies of healthy adults (29 men; 24 volunteers), inhaling ylang ylang was followed by lower blood pressure and pulse. The 24-volunteer authors linked the effect mainly to the subjective odor experience.
Supplements: Marker only; no source we read shows it treats high blood pressure.
Memory, alertness and mood (inhaled)
Preliminary or mixedIn 144 healthy volunteers, ylang ylang slowed memory and processing speed and lowered alertness, while calmness rose, compared with no aroma.
Supplements: Mixed: calmer but poorer memory scores in this study; a 24-person study found higher alertness.
Hormone questions: placenta cells in the lab
Lab or animal research onlyIn a lab study on human placenta cells, ylang ylang and four other oils changed at least one of four hormones measured. This is cell-culture work and does not show harm or benefit in people.
Supplements: Lab cell results only.
Traditional use (malaria, stomach, asthma, gout)
Not enough evidenceA plant review lists traditional uses and says the oil is believed to help depression, high blood pressure and anxiety. Tradition is not evidence of effect.
Supplements: No evidence from this source.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (2)
- Anxiety SupportPreliminary or mixed
Hospital-procedure and nurse pilots gave mixed results; anxiety scores improved in both groups in one trial.
- Calm & RelaxationPreliminary or mixed
Small inhaled studies give mixed results on calmness; the sources do not show it treats anything.
Body systems (3)
- Skin, Hair & BeautyDocumented risk
Skin allergy is documented in patch-test clinics.
- Brain & FocusPreliminary or mixed
In 144 volunteers, memory and processing speed got worse while calmness rose, so the effect on thinking is mixed.
- Stress & MoodPreliminary or mixed
Mood and calmness changes were reported in small inhaled studies; mixed.
Body parts (1)
- SkinDocumented risk
Allergic contact dermatitis is documented; masseurs and cosmeticians had higher risk in one series.
Functional actions (1)
- CalmingPreliminary or mixed
Some inhaled studies report calmness; others found no difference between groups.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Contact DermatitisDocumented risk
Ylang ylang gave the most positive patch tests among 12 oils in a clinic network.
- AnxietyPreliminary or mixed
Small inhaled trials: mixed results; not shown to treat anxiety disorders.
Frequently asked questions
Is ylang ylang oil safe on skin?
It is one of the oils most often reactive in patch-test clinics, so it can cause allergic reactions in some people. [1]
Does ylang ylang lower blood pressure?
In small studies of healthy volunteers, blood pressure fell after inhaling it. [7] [8] That is a marker, not proof of treating high blood pressure.
Is ylang ylang calming?
Results are mixed: one study found more calmness but poorer memory and lower alertness. [9] Another found higher alertness. [8]
Is ylang ylang oil safe in pregnancy?
A 1999 review said safety in pregnancy had not been clearly shown, and a lab study on placenta cells found hormone changes. [17] [18] Ask a midwife or doctor.
Can ylang ylang oil be swallowed?
No advice to swallow essential oils is given here. Poison centers warn ingestion can be harmful. [3]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety details
- Skin sensitization: the IVDK series found ylang ylang positive in 3.9% of patch-tested patients, more than other oils in the set, and it noted that people react to several oils and fragrances at once. [1] An earlier multicentre European study of 1,606 patients reported reactions of 2.6% and 2.5% to two ylang ylang grades. [15] A fragrance-allergy work-up article lists ylang ylang oil among frequent sensitizers. [16] Masseurs and cosmeticians had higher risk in the IVDK data. [1] See Essential oil skin reactions, allergy and sensitization and patch testing.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: a 1999 review said safety in pregnancy, childbirth and babies had not been clearly demonstrated. [17] In a lab study on human placenta cells, ylang ylang oil disrupted at least one of the hormones measured; the authors stress little is known about placental danger. [18] That is preclinical (cells) and does not show harm in people. See Essential oils in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Children: one small dental trial included children aged 6 to 10. [12] Ask a pediatrician before using any oil near a child.
- Medicines, liver and kidney, pets: not described in the sources we read for ylang ylang oil. See How interactions work.
A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person. Tell the surgical team about any oils you use before an operation.
References
- Contact sensitization to essential oils: IVDK data of the years 2010-2019, Contact Dermatitis 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Safety assessment of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga spp.) as a food ingredient, Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008. Read 2026-10-23.
- Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils, Paediatrics & Child Health 2001. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Cananga odorata, GBIF. Read 2026-10-23.
- Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Bioactivities of Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang), Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015. Read 2026-10-23.
- Inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of comorbid insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of Ylang-Ylang aroma on blood pressure and heart rate in healthy men, Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation 2013. Read 2026-10-23.
- Evaluation of the harmonizing effect of ylang-ylang oil on humans after inhalation, Planta Medica 2004. Read 2026-10-23.
- Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang, International Journal of Neuroscience 2008. Read 2026-10-23.
- Cananga odorata Aromatherapy Reduces Anxiety in Unexperienced Patients Hospitalized for Interventional Neuroradiology Procedures: A Randomized Control Trial, Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy with ylang ylang for anxiety and self-esteem: a pilot study, Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP 2014. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ylang-ylang and lavender aromatherapy for paediatric dental anxiety: A randomized control trial in first restorative appointment, Bioinformation 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Trial of Essential Oils to Improve Sleep for Patients in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2019. Read 2026-10-23.
- Impact of aromatherapy on anxiety among ICU nurses: A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial, Nursing 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Further important sensitizers in patients sensitive to fragrances, Contact Dermatitis 2002. Read 2026-10-23.
- Diagnostic workup of fragrance allergy, Der Hautarzt 2015. Read 2026-10-23.
- Possible health and safety problems in the use of novel plant essential oils and extracts in aromatherapy, Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 1999. Read 2026-10-23.
- Evaluation of Placental Toxicity of Five Essential Oils and Their Potential Endocrine-Disrupting Effects, Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2022. Read 2026-10-23.