This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does ylang-ylang essential oil work for anxiety?
Ylang-ylang essential oil contains linalool and benzyl acetate, compounds that may modulate GABA receptors in the brain, producing calming effects. Inhalation stimulates the olfactory system, which communicates with the limbic system—the brain's emotional center. This mechanism is similar to other anxiolytic essential oils like lavender. Evidence level C supports its traditional use for anxiety relief, though more clinical trials are needed to fully establish the mechanism.
Does ylang-ylang essential oil interact with blood pressure medications?
Ylang-ylang essential oil may have additive hypotensive effects when combined with antihypertensive medications. Traditional use and preliminary evidence (Level C) suggest it can lower blood pressure through aromatherapy. Patients taking beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, or other blood pressure medications should monitor their blood pressure closely and consult a healthcare provider before combining therapies. No specific drug interaction studies exist, so caution is advised.
What is the recommended dosage for Cananga odorata essential oil?
The standard aromatherapy dosage for Cananga odorata essential oil is 2-3 drops diluted in a diffuser or carrier oil. For topical application, dilute to 1-2% concentration in a carrier oil (approximately 6-12 drops per ounce). For inhalation, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser for 15-30 minutes. Higher concentrations or prolonged exposure may cause headache or nausea. Evidence level C supports these traditional dosing guidelines.
Is ylang-ylang essential oil safe during pregnancy?
Ylang-ylang essential oil is not recommended during pregnancy. The potent aromatic compounds, including linalool and benzyl acetate, may cross the placental barrier or stimulate uterine contractions. Most clinical herbalists and aromatherapists advise avoiding Cananga odorata during all trimesters of pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant should consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any essential oils.
What are the side effects of ylang-ylang essential oil?
Common side effects of ylang-ylang essential oil include headache and nausea, particularly from overexposure or prolonged diffusion. Undiluted application may cause skin sensitization, irritation, or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Some people report dizziness with strong inhalation. To minimize risks, always dilute properly, use in well-ventilated spaces, and limit diffusion time to 30 minutes. Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Cananga odorata, commonly known as ylang-ylang, is a tropical tree valued for its essential oils used in fragrance, food, and aromatherapy [PMID:26294929, PMID:17980945]. It exhibits a range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and antimicrobial properties [PMID:26294929, PMID:35744789].
Background
Cananga odorata (Annonaceae) is an evergreen tropical tree grown primarily for the production of essential oils extracted from its fresh and mature flowers via steam or hydrodistillation [PMID:30772805, PMID:22782885, PMID:17980945].
Traditional uses
Traditionally, C. odorata is used to treat malaria, stomach ailments, asthma, gout, and rheumatism [PMID:26294929]. In Cameroon, it is used to treat diarrhea, gastroenteritis, genital candidiasis, and oral candidiasis [PMID:40544982].
Active compounds
The essential oil is a complex mixture containing monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes (notably beta-caryophyllene), and phenylpropanoids [PMID:26294929, PMID:39031984]. Specific identified compounds include benzyl acetate, linalool, benzyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, geranyl acetate, and alpha-thujene [PMID:35744789, PMID:39459015, PMID:31965826]. Flower buds also contain lignan dicarboxylates (canangalignans I and II) and terpenoids (canangaterpenes I, II, and III) [PMID:24601675].
Mechanism of action
In animal models, ylang-ylang essential oil (YEO) reduces the infiltration of leukocytes into joint cavities and decreases interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels [PMID:39194751]. It also reduces neutrophil chemotaxis induced by fMLP and reduces phagocytic activity [PMID:35744789]. Inhalation in rats suggests it may alleviate anxiety by regulating serotonin and dopamine metabolism [PMID:36792414].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BBlood Pressure and Heart Rate
Inhalation and transdermal absorption of ylang-ylang oil caused significant decreases in blood pressure and pulse rate in healthy volunteers [PMID:15303255, PMID:16807875].
Evidence BMood and Cognition
Ylang-ylang aroma significantly increased subjective calmness but impaired memory and lengthened processing speed compared to peppermint [PMID:18041606].
Evidence BAnxiety and Stress
Transdermal absorption led subjects to rate themselves as more calm and relaxed [PMID:16807875].
Evidence DInflammation and Pain (Animal Models)
YEO reduced joint edema, mechanical hyperalgesia, and cartilage destruction in zymosan-induced arthritis models in mice [PMID:39194751]. It also reduced neuropathic pain and associated anxiety in mice [PMID:35551977].
Evidence DDermatological Issues
A nanoemulgel containing C. odorata improved skin hydration and reduced sebum content in scalp psoriasis and dandruff models [PMID:38786220].
Safety & adverse effects
Ylang-ylang oil has been reported to cause dermal sensitization reactions in animals and humans [PMID:17980945]. However, an oral acute toxicity test in Swiss mice at 2000 mg/kg showed no in vitro cytotoxicity [PMID:35744789].
Pregnancy & lactation
A randomized controlled trial investigated the use of ylang-ylang oil inhalation for labor pain and anxiety in primiparous pregnant women [PMID:37054616].
Evidence summary
Evidence is mixed, consisting primarily of animal models (D) and small-scale human clinical trials (B). While there is evidence for physiological effects on blood pressure and mood, large-scale systematic reviews for clinical efficacy are lacking.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 18041606 (2008) — Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. · The International journal of neuroscience
2.PMID: 26294929 (2015) — Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Bioactivities of Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang). · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3.PMID: 39194751 (2024) — Antiarthritic and Antinociceptive Properties of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil in Experimental Models. · Current issues in molecular biology
4.PMID: 38786220 (2024) — Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang) Essential Oil Containing Nanoemulgel for the Topical Treatment of Scalp Psoriasis and Dandruff. · Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 35233254 (2022) — Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the flowers of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson (ylang ylang oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 17980945 (2008) — Safety assessment of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga spp.) as a food ingredient. · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
7.PMID: 39459015 (2024) — Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Hemolytic Properties of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil: Potential Therapeutic Applications in Dermatology. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 35744789 (2022) — Effect of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 37176099 (2023) — Co-Delivery of Ylang Ylang Oil of Cananga odorata and Oxaliplatin Using Intelligent pH-Sensitive Lipid-Based Nanovesicles for the Effective Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. · International journal of molecular sciences
10.PMID: 33005663 (2020) — Comparative efficacy of commercial ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oils from India and Thailand against larval Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). · Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research
11.PMID: 31956259 (2019) — Antiviral Activity of Cananga odorata Against Hepatitis B Virus. · The Kobe journal of medical sciences
12.PMID: 36792414 (2023) — Inhalation of Cananga odorata essential oil relieves anxiety behaviors in autism-like rats via regulation of serotonin and dopamine metabolism. · Journal of integrative medicine
13.PMID: 25956881 (2015) — The floral transcriptome of ylang ylang (Cananga odorata var. fruticosa) uncovers biosynthetic pathways for volatile organic compounds and a multifunctional and novel sesquiterpene synthase. · Journal of experimental botany
14.PMID: 24601675 (2014) — Lignan dicarboxylates and terpenoids from the flower buds of Cananga odorata and their inhibitory effects on melanogenesis. · Journal of natural products
15.PMID: 41901410 (2026) — Effect of Flower Storage and Harvest Times on the Dynamics of Volatile Compounds in Ylang-Ylang [Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. &Thomson] Essential Oil. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
16.PMID: 15303255 (2004) — Evaluation of the harmonizing effect of ylang-ylang oil on humans after inhalation. · Planta medica
17.PMID: 31965826 (2021) — Insecticidal activity of two essential oils used in perfumery (ylang ylang and frankincense). · Natural product research
18.PMID: 36835724 (2023) — Synergistic Behavioral Response Effect of Mixtures of Andrographis paniculata, Cananga odorata, and Vetiveria zizanioides against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). · Insects
19.PMID: 24979401 (2014) — Volatile organic compound emissions from different stages of Cananga odorata flower development. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
20.PMID: 41157774 (2025) — Improving the Quality of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oils [Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. &Thomson] Through Microwave-Assisted Extraction Compared to Conventional Extraction Methods. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
21.PMID: 16807875 (2006) — Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
22.PMID: 37054616 (2023) — The effect of ylang oil and lemon oil inhalation on labor pain and anxiety pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial. · Complementary therapies in clinical practice
23.PMID: 30772805 (2019) — Chemical components of the volatile oil from leaves of Cananga odorata and its anti-oxidant activity. · Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
24.PMID: 22782885 (2012) — Comparative chemical and molecular variability of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson forma genuina (ylang-ylang) in the Western Indian Ocean Islands: implication for valorization. · Chemistry & biodiversity
25.PMID: 23364750 (2013) — Improvement of ylang-ylang essential oil characterization by GC×GC-TOFMS. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
26.PMID: 37039741 (2023) — Systematic review on the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of flower extracts in in vivo pre-clinical studies published from 2010 to 2020. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
27.PMID: 35551977 (2022) — Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson) essential oil reduced neuropathic-pain and associated anxiety symptoms in mice. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
28.PMID: 39031984 (2024) — The chromosome-level genome assembly of Cananga odorata provides insights into its evolution and terpenoid biosynthesis. · The New phytologist
29.PMID: 40544982 (2025) — In vitro antimicrobial activities and phytochemical profiling of Cananga odorata, Terminalia catappa, and Terminalia mantaly. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
30.PMID: 26337270 (2015) — Efficacy of essential oil from Cananga odorata (Lamk.) Hook.f. & Thomson (Annonaceae) against three mosquito species Aedes aegypti (L.), Anopheles dirus (Peyton and Harrison), and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say). · Parasitology research