Ylang ylang is a powerful yet underrated aromatic scent that is derived from the flower of a tree. It is used in perfume manufacturing and has also gained popularity in aromatherapy. Ylang ylang is appreciated for its ability to reduce feelings of stress, alleviate feelings of anxiety, lower blood pressure, lower heart rate and even repelling flying insects. How do you substitute something with so many applications?
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Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang is an essential oil that is derived from the flower of the same name that grows on the Cananga (Cananga odorata) tree. The flower is yellow and star shaped and hangs upside down from the tree. The tree is native to tropical regions and is found in in nations surrounding the Indian Ocean including India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. Ylang ylang essential oil is extracted from the flowers via steam distillation process with oils of varying strength by concentration being produced. The scent of ylang ylang has deep notes of rubber and custard with floral hints of Jasmine and bitter orange.
Among the long list of ylang ylang’s many benefits are relieving high blood pressure and lowering heart rate. Ylang ylang has also been proven to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety. Ylang ylang is popular in the manufacture of floral perfumes including the iconic Chanel no 5. In Indonesia ylang ylang is touted as an aphrodisiac while in the Phillipines the flowers and scent of ylang ylang are associated with religion. Ylang ylang is certainly deserving of the adjective ubiquitous. With such a wide range of uses it’s hard to find a complete substitute for ylang ylang but we can find substitutes for some of the purposes of ylang ylang. Let’s see what are the substitutes for ylang ylang.
Lavender
Lavender is probably the most popular essential oil or fragrance so that makes it really easy to find. Lavender is so popular you will find it employed in anything from air freshners, lotion, fabric softener and detergents. Lavender is a good substitute for ylang ylang if you want to fight feelings of nervousness or simply want the calming effect.
Jasmine
Another popular aromatic you can use a substitute for ylang ylang is jasmine. It has wide uses just as with lavender in toiletries, cleaning products and detergents. Jasmine is a very good match for the scent of ylang ylang and also helps with feelings of nervousness and frigidity.
Geranium
Next up on the list is a fairly popular essential oil, geranium. It has many commercial applications though not quite as many as Lavender and jasmine. Geranium is a ylang ylang substitute from an aroma perspective. It also helps with feelings of stress, overwhelm and nervousness.
Melissa
Melissa which may more likely have seen under the name lemon balm is a widely available essential oil that works as a ylang ylang substitute though only in specific circumstances. If you are fighting feelings of depression then Melissa is useful. Other than that Melissa is very different from ylang ylang.
Bergamot
Another limited substitute for ylang ylang is bergamot essential oil. Bergamot esential oil is a cold pressed essential oil that is derived from the rinds of bergamot oranges. It is popular in perfume manufacturing. It works as a substitute for ylang ylang as a pick me up but has a very different fragrance.
Rose
Another good and widely available substitute for ylang ylang is rose oil. Rose oil is derived from rose petals via a steam distillation method. Rose is a popular fragrance in cleaning products and cosmetics. Rose oil makes a great aroma substitute for ylang ylang with its sweet and soft floral scent.
Clary Sage
If you’re looking for the calming effect of ylang ylang then clary sage oil can do the trick for you. You may find it under the name muscatel. It is made by steam distillation of the flowers of salvia sclarea plant. It has a distinctly different fragrance from ylang ylang with herbal and wine like notes.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another great substitute for ylang ylang. Chamomile is available in a wide variety of expressions including essential oil and tea. Chamomile is widely available so it’ll be easy to get your hands on. Chamomile is widely touted for its calming effects as well as being a sleep aid.
Honeysuckle
Another good substitute for ylang ylang is honeysuckle. Honeysuckle is a common inclusion in cosmetic products and is beloved for its floral scent. If what you after is a scent close to ylang ylang then honeysuckle will do the job for you.
Neroli
Neroli oil makes a good substitute for ylang ylang. Neroli oil is made from the flowers of the bitter orange tree. Neroli uses a steam distillation process which produces a different fragrance from orange blossom which is extracted from the same flowers but using a complicated infusion process. It’s scent is sweet and honeyed with a hint of spice in it. It makes a great aromatic substitute for ylang ylang.
Monarda
Another lesser known essential oil that you can use in place of ylang ylang is monarda. Monarda comes from the flower of the monarda plant which is a member of the mint family. Monarda’s soft floral scent is a good substitute for ylang ylang.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is well known essential oil with a warm, creamy and smooth woody fragrance. Sandalwood oil is widely available and comes from a group of trees that are beloved for their strong aroma. Sandalwood oil helps with feelings of frigidity and overwhelm with a calming effect.
Vertiver
Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver is a bunchgrass that is native to India. The grass is grown as animal feed and vetiver oil is used in perfumes and cosmetics the world over. Vetiver is a good substitute for ylang ylang if you are fighting feelings of frigidity or overwhelm.
There are many substitutes for ylang ylang and which to use depends on the reason you want a ylang ylang substitute. Rose, jasmine, honeysuckle, neroli, geranium and monarda make great substitutes from a fragrance perspective. From an aromatherapy perspective avender, geranium, jasmine, melissa, bergamot, sandalwood, vetiver and clary sage have similar benefits to ylang ylang.
