Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorato) Research

Latin Name: Cananga odorata

Family: Annonaceae

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Lis-Balchin, M. (2006). Aromatherapy Science: A guide for healthcare professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
• This paper provided an overview of the ylang ylang tree.  From:  Manner, H. I., & Elevitch, C. R. (2006). Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang). Species profiles for Pacific Island agroforestry.
• A review of the therapeutic actions of linalool is provided. Sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anti‐inflammatory activities have been demonstrated in scientific studies.  From:  Aprotosoaie, A. C., Hăncianu, M., Costache, I. I., & Miron, A. (2014). Linalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological properties. Flavour and fragrance journal, 29(4), 193-219.
• Petersen, D. (2015). Aromatherapy materia medica.  Essential oil monographs.  American College of Healthcare Sciences

SAFETY

• Cananga odorata (DC.) Hook f. et Thomson var. macrophylla yields cananga oil, while genuina makes ylang ylang.  Cananga oil is often unsafely harvested by poor people, and the tree population is declining in Java (Petersen, 2015)
• Extra, first, second, and third grade as well as complete refer to the distillation time and yield differing qualities of ylang ylang.
• May be adultered with Cananga oil, gurjum balsam oil, Peru balsam, or synthetics (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• Not recommended during pregnancy, lactation, or with small children due to frequent adulterations (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• With the constituents of eugenol and isoeugenol; a skin patch test is highly recommended (Petersen, 2015).

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL

• Canaga odorata (ylang ylang), Cymbopogon. Citratus (lemongrass), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)  and Curcuma longa (tumeric) showed major antimicrobial effectiveness.  From:  Sacchetti, G., Maietti, S., Muzzoli, M., Scaglianti, M., Manfredini, S., Radice, M., & Bruni, R. (2005). Comparative evaluation of 11 essential oils of different origin as functional antioxidants, antiradicals and antimicrobials in foods. Food chemistry, 91(4), 621-632.
• Cananga odorata, Boswellia thurifera, Cymbopogon citratus, Marjorana hortensis, Ocimum basilicum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Citrus limon exhibited considerable inhibitory effect against all the bacteria and fungi tested, and also demonstrated antioxidant activity comparable with α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene.  From:  Baratta, M. T., Dorman, H. J., Deans, S. G., Figueiredo, A. C., Barroso, J. G., & Ruberto, G. (1998). Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of some commercial essential oils. Flavour and fragrance journal, 13(4), 235-244.
• The following commercially bought oils showed antimicrobial activity against multiple pathogens:  patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), geranium (Geranium maculatum), sandalwood (Santalum album), ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), and lavender (Lavendula officinalis).   From:  Maudsley, F., & Kerr, K. G. (1999). Microbiological safety of essential oils used in complementary therapies and the activity of these compounds against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Supportive care in cancer, 7(2), 100-102.
• Lemon, ylang ylang, and Vitex trifolia extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial actions on tested organisms.  Lemon had the strongest activity of the three tested plant extracts.  From:  Yahaya, M. F., Kubmarawa, D., Yelwa, J. M., & Runde, M. (2018). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted from aromatic plants. World Scientific News, 111, 13-25.
• Against the oral bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the 13 most effective essential oils were: myrrh, ginger, basil, carrot seed, tea tree, patchouli, ylang ylang, cypress, lemongrass, cinnamon, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus. From: Park, C., & Yoon, H. (2018). Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil against Oral Strain. International Journal of Clinical Preventive Dentistry, 14(4), 216-221.
• Thirty essential oils were tested against pathogenic plant bacteria. Ceylon cinnamon (leaf and bark), oregano, clove bud, palmarosa, basil, peppermint, rosemary, blue gum, camphor, lemongrass, aniseed, ylang ylang, silver fir, lemon, dwarf mountain pine, bay laurel, scots pine, black cumin, Indian frankincense, bergamot orange, common juniper, bitter orange, and neem showed varying degrees of reaction.  From: Popović, T., Milićević, Z., Oro, V., Kostić, I., Radović, V., Jelušić, A., & Krnjajić, S. (2018). A preliminary study of antibacterial activity of thirty essential oils against several important plant pathogenic bacteria. Pesticidi i fitomedicina, 33(3-4), 185-195.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Antioxidant activity of ylang ylang essential oil was assessed.  From:  Zhao, C., Li, B., Liu, D., Dai, W., Cao, L., & Zhang, M. (2019). Chemical components of the volatile oil from leaves of Cananga odorata and its anti-oxidant activity. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 32(1).
• Lemon, ylang ylang, and Vitex trifolia extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial actions on tested organisms.  Lemon had the strongest activity of the three tested plant extracts.  From:  Yahaya, M. F., Kubmarawa, D., Yelwa, J. M., & Runde, M. (2018). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted from aromatic plants. World Scientific News, 111, 13-25.
• Cananga odorata, Boswellia thurifera, Cymbopogon citratus, Marjorana hortensis, Ocimum basilicum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Citrus limon exhibited considerable inhibitory effect against all the bacteria and fungi tested, and also demonstrated antioxidant activity comparable with α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene.  From:  Baratta, M. T., Dorman, H. J., Deans, S. G., Figueiredo, A. C., Barroso, J. G., & Ruberto, G. (1998). Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of some commercial essential oils. Flavour and fragrance journal, 13(4), 235-244.

ANXIOLYTIC / IMPROVED MOOD

• Those patients who inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang ylang and bergamot had reduces psychological stress responses, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure.  From:  Hwang, J. H. (2006). The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure and stress responses of clients with essential hypertension. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 36(7), 1123-1134.
• Inhaling a blend of lavender and ylang ylang reduced test question stress compared to placebo in a study including 95 participants. Measurements of sympathetic nerve activity, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure were significantly different in the tested groups.  From:  Bae, I., Song, J. A., Lee, M., & Hur, M. (2018). Effects of aromatherapy essential oil inhalation on the stress response after exposure to noise and arithmetic subtraction stressor: randomized controlled trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE, 11(1), 275-284.
• Aromatherapy with a blend of lemon, lavender, and ylang ylang was effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and the sympathetic nervous system.   From:  Cha, J. H., Lee, S. H., & Yoo, Y. S. (2010). Effects of Aromatherapy on Changes in the Autonomic Nervous System, Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Aortic Augmentation Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 40(5).
• In a study with 60 healthy women, the inhalation of a blend of lemongrass, patchouli, and ylang ylang was more effective than inhaling lavender in reducing anxiety.  Both the lavender group and the blend group showed reduced anxiety compared to the placebo.  From:  Siahaan, R., Rahardjo, T. B., & Ranti, A. (2015). Effectiveness of Indonesian Essential Oil Mixture of Lemongrass, Cananga, and Patchouli in Relaxation through Inhalation: A Clinical Test on Healthy Woman with High Potential for Stress. Makara Journal of Health Research, 143-151.
• Inhalation of an essential oil blended with lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli had a relaxing effect and reduced blood pressure in humans.  From:  Kim, I. H., Kim, C., Seong, K., Hur, M. H., Lim, H. M., & Lee, M. S. (2012). Essential oil inhalation on blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012.
• Ylang-ylang oil improved mood via inhalation, causing a significant decreases in blood pressure and pulse rate as well as a significant increases in subjective attentiveness and alertness.  From:  Hongratanaworakit, T., & Buchbauer, G. (2004). Evaluation of the harmonizing effect of ylang-ylang oil on humans after inhalation. Planta Medica, 70(07), 632-636.
• Cajuput and ylang ylang oil odors possessed sedative effect and patchouli oil odor was stimulating to human physiologies.  From:  Wang, C. N. (2012). Effect of Melaleuca leucadendron, Cananga odorata and Pogostemon cablin oil odors on human physiological responses. Wood Research, 3(2), 100.
• Peppermint enhanced memory whereas ylang-ylang impaired it, and peppermint increased alertness while ylang-ylang decreased it, but significantly increased calmness. From: Moss, M., Hewitt, S., Moss, L., & Wesnes, K. (2008). Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. International Journal of Neuroscience, 118(1), 59-77.
• Application of ylang ylang on the skin caused relaxation in humans.  From: Hongratanaworakit, T., & Buchbauer, G. (2006). Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption. Phytotherapy Research, 20(9), 758-763.
• Ylang ylang odor reversed the anxiety in mice.  From:  Zhang, N., Zhang, L., Feng, L., & Yao, L. (2018). Cananga odorata essential oil reverses the anxiety induced by 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine through regulating the MAPK pathway and serotonin system in mice. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 219, 23-30.
• Ylang ylang aroma reduced anxiety in mice.  From:  ZHANG, N., YAOa, L. E. I., & FENG, L. (2018, April). Effects of inhaling ylang-ylang essential oil on anxiety, social interaction and sleep behaviors in mice. In China-Bulgaria Rural Revitalization Development Cooperation Forum (p. 63).
• An aroma 4:2:1 blend of lavender, ylang ylang, and neroli reduced blood pressure and stress measurements in patients who were going to receive an angiography procedure.  From:  Song, E. J., & Lee, M. Y. (2018). Effects of Aromatherapy on Stress Responses, Autonomic Nervous System Activity and Blood Pressure in the Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 48(1), 1-11.

SEDATIVE

• Those patients who inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang ylang and bergamot had reduces psychological stress responses, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure.  From:  Hwang, J. H. (2006). The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure and stress responses of clients with essential hypertension. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 36(7), 1123-1134.
• Inhaling a blend of lavender and ylang ylang reduced test question stress compared to placebo in a study including 95 participants. Measurements of sympathetic nerve activity, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure were significantly different in the tested groups.  From:  Bae, I., Song, J. A., Lee, M., & Hur, M. (2018). Effects of aromatherapy essential oil inhalation on the stress response after exposure to noise and arithmetic subtraction stressor: randomized controlled trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE, 11(1), 275-284.
• Aromatherapy with a blend of lemon, lavender, and ylang ylang was effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and the sympathetic nervous system.   From:  Cha, J. H., Lee, S. H., & Yoo, Y. S. (2010). Effects of Aromatherapy on Changes in the Autonomic Nervous System, Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Aortic Augmentation Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 40(5).
• Inhalation of an essential oil blended with lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli had a relaxing effect and reduced blood pressure in humans.  From:  Kim, I. H., Kim, C., Seong, K., Hur, M. H., Lim, H. M., & Lee, M. S. (2012). Essential oil inhalation on blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012.
• Ylang-ylang oil improved mood via inhalation, causing a significant decreases in blood pressure and pulse rate as well as a significant increases in subjective attentiveness and alertness.  From:  Hongratanaworakit, T., & Buchbauer, G. (2004). Evaluation of the harmonizing effect of ylang-ylang oil on humans after inhalation. Planta Medica, 70(07), 632-636.
• Cajuput and ylang ylang oil odors possessed sedative effect and patchouli oil odor was stimulating to human physiologies.  From:  Wang, C. N. (2012). Effect of Melaleuca leucadendron, Cananga odorata and Pogostemon cablin oil odors on human physiological responses. Wood Research, 3(2), 100.
• Peppermint enhanced memory whereas ylang-ylang impaired it, and peppermint increased alertness while ylang-ylang decreased it, but significantly increased calmness. From: Moss, M., Hewitt, S., Moss, L., & Wesnes, K. (2008). Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. International Journal of Neuroscience, 118(1), 59-77.
• An aroma 4:2:1 blend of lavender, ylang ylang, and neroli reduced blood pressure and stress measurements in patients who were going to receive an angiography procedure.  From:  Song, E. J., & Lee, M. Y. (2018). Effects of Aromatherapy on Stress Responses, Autonomic Nervous System Activity and Blood Pressure in the Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 48(1), 1-11.

INSECTICIDAL / PESTICIDAL

• A blend of coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil controlled lice infestation in children.  From:  Mumcuoglu, K. Y., Miller, J., Zamir, C., Zentner, G., Helbin, V., & Ingber, A. (2002). The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy. The Israel Medical Association journal: IMAJ, 4(10), 790-793.
• A blend of ylang ylang and citronella essential oils in a corn starch product was repellent against a mosquito species tested, without causing irritation on human skin. From:  Wathoni, N., Sofian, F. F., Narsa, A. C., & Mutiara, A. N. (2018). Repellent Activity of Essential Oils from Cananga odorata Lamk. and Cymbopogon nardus L. on Corn Starch-Based Thixogel. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 10(2s), S118.
• Anise and ylang ylang showed acaricidal activity against the tick that can spread Lyme disease.  From:  Elmhalli, F., Pålsson, K., Örberg, J., & Grandi, G. (2018). Acaricidal properties of ylang-ylang oil and star anise oil against nymphs of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology, 76(2), 209-220.

ORAL HEALTH

• Against the oral bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the 13 most effective essential oils were: myrrh, ginger, basil, carrot seed, tea tree, patchouli, ylang ylang, cypress, lemongrass, cinnamon, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus. From: Park, C., & Yoon, H. (2018). Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil against Oral Strain. International Journal of Clinical Preventive Dentistry, 14(4), 216-221.

SKIN / WOUND HEALING

• Nine essential oils were studied and showed potential to heal human skin cells in vitro.  They included: Citrus bergamia (bergamot), Coriandrum sativum (cilantro), Pelargonium graveolens (geranium), Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum), Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), Citrus aurantium (petitgrain), Santalum album (sandalwood), Nardostachys jatamansi (spikenard), and Cananga odorata (ylang ylang).  From:  Han, X., Beaumont, C., & Stevens, N. (2017). Chemical composition analysis and in vitro biological activities of ten essential oils in human skin cells. Biochimie Open, 5, 1-7.

ABSORPTION ENHANCEMENT

• Ylang ylang showed potential as a skin penetration enhancer for drug delivery.  From:  Williams, A. C., & Barry, B. W. (1989). Essential oils as novel human skin penetration enhancers. International journal of pharmaceutics, 57(2), R7-R9.

APHRODISIAC

• ​Ylang ylang may have aphrodisiac qualities.  From:  Tisserland, R.  (1988).  Essential oils as psychotherapeutic agents.  In Perfumery (pp. 167 – 181) Springer,  Netherlands.

ACNE

• Manuka, ylang ylang, vetiver, patchouli, cinnamon, and sandalwood essential oils provided varying noteworthy synergistic activities with other essential oils against microbes that cause acne in vitro.  From:  Orchard, A., van Vuuren, S. F., Viljoen, A. M., & Kamatou, G. (2018). The in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of commercial essential oils and their combinations against acne. International journal of cosmetic science, 40(3), 226-243.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

• A blend of coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil controlled lice infestation in children.  From:  Mumcuoglu, K. Y., Miller, J., Zamir, C., Zentner, G., Helbin, V., & Ingber, A. (2002). The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy. The Israel Medical Association journal: IMAJ, 4(10), 790-793.

GREEN GARDENING

• Thirty essential oils were tested against pathogenic plant bacteria. Ceylon cinnamon (leaf and bark), oregano, clove bud, palmarosa, basil, peppermint, rosemary, blue gum, camphor, lemongrass, aniseed, ylang ylang, silver fir, lemon, dwarf mountain pine, bay laurel, scots pine, black cumin, Indian frankincense, bergamot orange, common juniper, bitter orange, and neem showed varying degrees of reaction. From: Popović, T., Milićević, Z., Oro, V., Kostić, I., Radović, V., Jelušić, A., & Krnjajić, S. (2018). A preliminary study of antibacterial activity of thirty essential oils against several important plant pathogenic bacteria. Pesticidi i fitomedicina, 33(3-4), 185-195.

Compiled By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 8/27/19