Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
A rich, floral single oil steam-distilled from tropical flowers, known for its heady, exotic aroma.
How to use it
Start with 2–4 drops — it's potent; pair with a citrus oil to lift the heaviness.
Dilute to around 1% in a carrier oil for hair and skincare blends.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- ~0.8% on skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Can cause skin sensitisation in some people — dilute and patch-test, especially with the richer 'Extra' grade.
- Its heady aroma can trigger headaches or nausea if overused; go light in the diffuser.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: Tan et al. (2026), Molecules
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 21 GC-MS samples across 8 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2014–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 61.4%
- Oxygenated monoterpene 16.7%
- Phenylpropanoid / aromatic 9.1%
- Unclassified 4.7%
- Aliphatic / small aromatic 4%
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 4%
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 0.1%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| β-caryophyllene ↗ C15H24 | 10.8% | 7.3–14.9% | 17.0% | |
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| benzyl acetate ↗ C9H10O2 | 9.9% | 1.1–19.6% | 20.2% | |
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| α-farnesene ↗ C15H24 | 7.8% | 5.3–17.3% | 25.7% | |
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| methyl benzoate | 7.6% | 2.6–8.4% | 8.8% | |
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| benzyl benzoate ↗ C14H12O2 | 7.1% | 4.5–7.7% | 11.4% | |
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| cinnamyl acetate ↗ C11H12O2 | 6.0% | 3.1–6.7% | 7.3% | |
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| germacrene d ↗ C15H24 | 5.8% | 5.7–11.3% | 19.3% | |
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| linalool ↗ C10H18O | 5.6% | 1.9–7.7% | 15.2% | |
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| geranyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 3.3% | 1.3–7.3% | 9.5% | |
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| benzyl salicylate ↗ C14H12O3 | 2.9% | 0.8–3.3% | 4.5% | |
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| α-humulene ↗ C15H24 | 1.9% | 1.1–3.9% | 6.0% | |
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| δ-cadinene ↗ C15H24 | 1.0% | 0.7–3.3% | 4.9% | |
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+ 76 more compounds reported across the dataset.
8 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Chakira A, Soria C, Minier J, Chillet M, Garcia C. (2026). Effect of Flower Storage and Harvest Times on the Dynamics of Volatile Compounds in Ylang-Ylang [<i>Cananga odorata</i> (Lam.) Hook.f. &Thomson] Essential Oil. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Chakira A, Soria C, Lallemand L, Mares G, Chillet M, Garcia C. (2025). Improving the Quality of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oils [<i>Cananga odorata</i> (Lam.) Hook.f. &Thomson] Through Microwave-Assisted Extraction Compared to Conventional Extraction Methods. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Mrani SA, Zejli H, Azzouni D, Fadili D, Alanazi MM, Hassane SOS, Sabbahi R, Kabra A, Moussaoui AE, Hammouti B, Taleb M. (2024). Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Hemolytic Properties of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil: Potential Therapeutic Applications in Dermatology. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
- Jin J, Kim MJ, Dhandapani S, Tjhang JG, Yin JL, Wong L, Sarojam R, Chua NH, Jang IC. (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.
- Kasarci-Kavsara G, Barak TH, Ertugrul B, Senturk TB, Cakmakoglu B, Bireller S. (2026). Ylang Ylang Essential Oil in Malignant and Non-Malignant Cells: Comparative Mitophagy-Related Transcriptional Responses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
- EFSA Panel on Additives, Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B. (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). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- de Freitas Junior RA, Lossavaro PKMB, Kassuya CAL, Paredes-Gamero EJ, Farias Júnior NC, Souza MIL, Silva-Comar FMS, Cuman RKN, Silva DB, Toffoli-Kadri MC, Silva-Filho SE. (2022). Effect of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Qin XW, Hao CY, He SZ, Wu G, Tan LH, Xu F, Hu RS. (2014). Volatile organic compound emissions from different stages of Cananga odorata flower development. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Linalool — a soft floral alcohol central to ylang ylang's aroma; also one of its recognised skin allergens to respect Tan et al. (2026), Molecules
It's intensely floral — a small amount fills a room quickly.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Ylang ylang is a common subject of aromatherapy and composition reviews, with its floral profile built on linalool, esters, and sesquiterpenes. Mood and relaxation uses are traditional and preliminary, not clinically established.
Tan et al. (2026), Molecules
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Ylang Ylang's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Ylang ylang's composition varies by distillation grade, but linalool, geranyl acetate, germacrene D, and benzyl acetate are consistent key contributors to its rich floral aroma.
Tan et al. (2026), Molecules
Frequently asked questions
Why do ylang ylang oils vary so much?
Ylang ylang is distilled in stages, and the fractions are graded (Extra, I, II, III). The earliest 'Extra' fraction is the richest and most floral; later fractions are heavier and less refined, so bottles differ by grade. Tan et al. (2026), Molecules
Can ylang ylang give me a headache?
Its intense, sweet floral aroma is overpowering for some people and can cause headaches or nausea if overused. Use just a drop or two and blend it with a citrus or wood note.
Is ylang ylang safe on skin?
Usually, when diluted — but it can sensitise some people, and it contains linalool, a recognised allergen. Dilute to under about 1% and patch-test first. Tan et al. (2026), Molecules
Gallery
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) is steam-distilled from the flowers of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. The aroma is intensely floral, sweet, and a little exotic — a small amount fills a room quickly.
The tree and harvest
The ylang ylang tree grows in humid tropical climates, with major production centered in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Flowers are hand-picked, typically in the early morning when their fragrance is strongest, and distilled fresh since the blossoms don’t hold their scent well once cut.
Grading
Ylang ylang oil is often sold by distillation “fraction” — extra, first, second, and third — reflecting the order in which fractions come off during the lengthy distillation process. Extra grade, taken earliest, is generally considered the lightest and most prized for fine perfumery, while later fractions are heavier and more commonly used in soap and candle fragrance.
In the diffuser
Start with 2–4 drops, since ylang ylang is potent; pairing it with a citrus oil like orange or bergamot softens the heaviness and brightens the blend.
On skin
Dilute to around 1% in a carrier oil. It’s a traditional addition to hair and skin routines in its native regions, prized more for its aroma than for any single functional claim.
A note on sensitivity
Because ylang ylang is so concentrated in aroma, some people find it overwhelming in high doses or notice a mild headache with overuse — start light and adjust. See our allergy and safety guide for general dilution guidance.
Pairs well with
Citrus oils, sandalwood, and vanilla all balance ylang ylang’s heavy floral character, either brightening it or deepening its exotic warmth.
Sourcing note
Knowing which distillation grade is in the bottle matters, since aroma and price both shift considerably between fractions — which is why we point to a documented source.
Found in these blends
Ylang Ylang is one of the oils inside 31 Young Living blends.