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Ylang ylang diffuser blends are perfect for relaxing, winding down for sleep and setting a romantic mood. Here are 10 ylang ylang diffuser recipes, plus what blends well with ylang ylang and how many drops to use so it never overpowers. Jump to the 10 recipes.
Ylang ylang essential oil is steam distilled from the flowers of the tropical Cananga odorata tree. It has a rich, sweet, exotic floral aroma that relaxes the mind and lifts your mood. It's also very strong, so a little goes a long way.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Diffuser Benefits
Ylang ylang is a favorite in aromatherapy for its calming, mood-lifting scent. Because it's so intense, 1 to 2 drops in a blend is usually all you need.
Here are a few reasons to diffuse ylang ylang:
- Helps you relax and feel less stressed
- Encourages feelings of joy and happiness
- Eases emotional tension
- Increases feelings of well-being
- Uplifts and calms the mind at the same time
- Naturally perfumes the air with a sweet floral scent
Ylang ylang is also popular in skin and hair care. When used on the skin, keep it at a low dilution (0.8% or less, about 1 drop per 10 ml), since it can cause skin sensitivity.
What Blends Well with Ylang Ylang?
Ylang ylang pairs beautifully with citrus, woods and other florals. Citrus oils lighten it, while woods and resins ground it.
- Citrus: bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, sweet orange, tangerine
- Woods and resins: cedarwood, frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver
- Florals and herbs: lavender, geranium, jasmine, clary sage, sweet marjoram
- Spices: cinnamon, clove, ginger, pink pepper (just a drop)
What does ylang ylang essential oil smell like?
Ylang ylang has a strong, rich, sweet floral scent, with creamy and slightly fruity notes. The flowers are hand-picked early in the morning and distilled right away to capture their fragrance, and it's used in some of the world's most famous perfumes. Ylang ylang is a middle-to-base note.
It has a long reputation as an aphrodisiac, so it's a favorite in romantic oil blends.
Ylang Ylang Extra, I, II, III and Complete
Ylang ylang is distilled in stages, and each stage is sold as a different grade. Ylang Ylang Extra is collected first and is the sweetest and most floral, so it's prized for perfume. Grades I, II and III come later and smell heavier and less sweet. Ylang Ylang Complete is the whole distillation in one oil. It has a full, balanced scent and is a great budget-friendly choice for diffusing.
Essential Oil Diffusers Guide
How to Aromatherapy Diffusing Guide with 200+ Diffuser Blends by Jennifer Lane, Loving Essential Oils Owner & Certified Aromatherapist:
10 Ylang Ylang Diffuser Blends
Add one of the recipes below to your diffuser with the recommended amount of water. I like to use a diffuser with a 100 to 200 ml water tank, but use whatever size you have. If a blend smells too strong, cut the ylang ylang down to 1 drop.
1. Just Rest
A soft, cozy blend of woods and florals for when you need to slow down and rest. Diffuse it 30 minutes before bed, or try it in a bedtime room spray. For more ideas, see my sleep diffuser blends.
- 3 drops Sandalwood
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
- 2 drops Copaiba
- 1 drop Sweet Marjoram
2. Accomplishment
A fresh, balanced blend for a productive day at home. Crisp black spruce keeps you feeling clear-headed, while lavender, ylang ylang and Roman chamomile keep stress in check. Diffuse it while you tackle your to-do list.
- 3 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Black Spruce
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
- 1 drop Roman Chamomile
3. Opulence
Rich, bold and a little unexpected. Earthy patchouli and spicy pink pepper turn ylang ylang into a luxurious, perfume-like scent that is perfect for a date night or dinner party. Try more in my pink pepper diffuser blends.
- 3 drops Patchouli
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
- 1 drop Pink Pepper
4. Pretty Relaxed Diffuser Blend
Fresh cypress and soothing lavender soften ylang ylang into a calm, easygoing blend. It's a nice one to turn on when you get home after a long day at work or school. See more in my cypress diffuser blends.
- 3 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Cypress
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
5. Lights Out
A grounding bedtime blend with some of the most popular sleep oils. Woody cedarwood and smoky vetiver balance the sweetness of ylang ylang and lavender. Diffuse it as part of your wind-down routine.
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Cedarwood
- 2 drops Vetiver
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
6. Relax, Calm Down Diffuser Recipe
Bright bergamot and warm frankincense make this a soothing blend for tense, stressful moments. Breathe deeply and let the day melt away. Find more calming ideas in my diffuser blends for anxiety.
- 3 drops Bergamot
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
7. Unwind Essential Oil Blend
Sunny orange with a hint of cool spearmint makes this a light, cheerful way to enjoy ylang ylang. It's a favorite for quiet reflection, journaling or meditation.
- 6 drops Sweet Orange
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
- 1 drop Spearmint
8. Strong Women
A warm floral trio for feeling balanced and confident. Clary sage and geranium are favorites in blends for women. Skip clary sage if you are pregnant. Learn more in my clary sage diffuser blends.
- 4 drops Clary Sage
- 2 drops Geranium
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
9. Ylangy Musk
Earthy patchouli, sweet ylang ylang and a splash of grapefruit create a musky, exotic scent. Diffuse it when you want your home to smell like a high-end boutique. See more in my patchouli diffuser blends.
- 4 drops Patchouli
- 2 drops Grapefruit
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
10. Levelheaded Oil Blend
Bright, sparkly lime and grounding frankincense keep ylang ylang light and fresh. It's a great pick for a calm but focused afternoon. Love lime? Try my lime diffuser blends.
- 4 drops Lime
- 4 drops Frankincense
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
Safety Guidelines for Diffusing Ylang Ylang
Diffuse for 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time, then take a break. Read more about how long to diffuse essential oils.
- Start small: Ylang ylang is very strong. Too much can cause headaches or nausea, so start with 1 to 2 drops and add more only if you need it.
- Kids: Ylang ylang is generally considered safe to diffuse around children ages 2 and up at low amounts.
- Pets: Cats are especially sensitive to essential oils. Diffuse in a ventilated room with the door open so pets can leave, and avoid diffusing around birds.
- Skin: Always dilute ylang ylang before applying it to your skin. Keep it at 0.8% or less (about 1 drop per 10 ml of carrier oil), since it can cause skin sensitivity.
- Low blood pressure: Ylang ylang is very relaxing. If you have low blood pressure, use it sparingly and stop if you feel lightheaded.
For more, see my essential oil safety tips.
Final Thoughts on Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Blends
Ylang ylang is one of the most beautiful floral oils you can own. A drop or two turns an ordinary blend into something special. Start with one of the 10 recipes above, and remember that with ylang ylang, less is more.
More Diffuser Blend Posts
- 20 Simple Essential Oil Combinations for Your Diffuser
- Cedarwood Diffuser Blends
- Lavender Diffuser Blends
- Sandalwood Diffuser Blends
- Bergamot Diffuser Blends
- Lemon Diffuser Blends
- Lime Diffuser Blends
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