Personal fragrance manufacturers are the primary users of ylang-ylang essential oil today. Ylang-ylang is a component of many men's fragrances, probably because its floral sweetness is unlike rose, which is often used as a modifier in feminine perfumes. In aromatherapy, this extremely fragrant essential oil has a calming effect on the mind and body that drive away anxiety, tension and stress. Ylang-ylang tends to predominate, so it should be used in small amounts. It has a wonderfully balancing and stimulating effect on the skin; it helps to correct sebum production and is also used to stimulate hair growth.

The ylang-ylang tree is a tall tropical tree about 20 meters (60 feet) high with large, tender, fragrant pink, mauve or yellow flowers and is cultivated in Java, Sumatra, Reunion and Madagascar. The name depicts 'flower of flowers’. The flower petals are strewn upon the bed on wedding nights in Indonesia. The oil was once a popular ingredient of hair preparations in Europe and was known as macassar oil.

There are several grades of ylang-ylang essential oil, which are extracted at different times during the flower's lengthy distillation. The superior ylang-ylang extra is drawn off during the initial phase, next, ylang-ylang II is extracted and finally ylang-ylang III. Products known as "ylang-ylang complete" are available which can be either a blend of the three grades of ylang-ylang or the complete oil that results from the full, uninterrupted distillation of the flowers.

Ylang-ylang oil has a euphoric and sedative effect on the nervous system and helps with anxiety, tension, shock, fear and panic, while the aphrodisiac qualities is useful for impotence and frigidity. It is particularly useful with rapid breathing and rapid heartbeat, it can also help with reducing high blood pressure and useful for intestinal infections.

It goes well with Sandalwood, Patchouli, Jasmine, Rose, Geranium and Neroli. Though it has lots of goodness but sometime its highly concentrated amounts may cause headaches with some individuals. If fifteen drops Jasmine Blends with six drops of Ylang Ylang in one oz, it will create fantastic massage oil. For an uplifting bath one may add six drops directly to a full tub of warm water or blend with ½ oz.