Jasmine~Not Just For Princesses

Jasmine Flower

    Jasmine is not just for a princess but has numerous qualities that will help improve your life or at the very least, you will smell FABULOUS!  Jasminum Grandiflorum, Jasminum Officinale, and Jasminum Sambacare the types of Jasmine that we will focus on, especially since there are over 200 types of Jasmine.  Jasmine essential oil and tea are extracted from one of the above types of Jasmine.   Jasmine is a perennial and prolific climbing shrub with white, yellow or pink flowers.    This exotic plant with its alluring scent that brings to mind romance novels with sultans and his harem,  grows to about 20 feet tall and originates primarily in India and Northern Iran(originally Persia…back in the day…:-)).  It is grown and cultivated in Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Italy, France, and China.

Flowering Jasmine Bud

Jasmine goes by many names such as The Queen of the Night, which is its Indian name, The King of Flowers, and Moonlight in the Grove.  Translated from Old French, Jasmine means Gift From God, and is part of the Olive family.  Jasmine comes from the Persian word for the flower, Yasmin and is considered both a masculine and feminine flower and scent.  In other words, it has both yin and yang properties and is one of the highest prices plant scents.  It can cost upt to $40 for a small 2 milliliter vial of pure Jasmine and 99% of all supposed “oil of Jasmine” is synthetically made.  Part of the reason it is so expensive is that it is difficult to extract the scent.  Jasmine is picked at night when its aroma is the most intense and 1,000 pounds of the flower is needed to extract 1 pound of liquid oil.

    Jasmine is the national flower of the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Syria.  It has a unique history, during ancient times, it was used in love potions, treated gonorrhea as well as eased women’s pain during birth.  The Moors brought it to Spain and it was introduced to Europe.  The plant parts used are the flowers and they have a sweet, exotic floral top notes with warm, honeyed undertones when used as perfume.  It blends well with most citrus scents, Clary Sage, Sandalwood, Neroli, Cypress, Verbana, and Melissa but you only need to use in small amounts, no more than 1% dilution for any aromatherapy uses. 

     Jasmine is used in many cultures, garlands of Jasmine symbolize respect in Buddhist ceremonies, used in tea ceremonies in China, and in Thailand, it represents the mother.  The scent is used to anoint people during religious and wedding ceremonies in Indonesia.  According to legend, the Indian Love God, Kama tips his arrows with Jasmine blossoms.   Well, you almost had me admitting defeat in finding a Greek reference for Jasmine but I found one.  On the sacred Mount Athnos in Greece, Greek  Jasmine is grown and used in incense, it is hand rolled by Byzantine Greek Orthodox Monks.  I am not lying about the monks, it is also used in Greek religious ceremonies and for thanksgiving.   I believe that All of my posts so far have a token nod to my Greek heritage.  

Jasmine Flower used for Tea

    Jasmine is associated with both the Moon and Jupiter and is a water element.  It’s magical influences match its practical uses for love, peace, spirituality, sex, sleep, and psychic dreams.  This flower lifts our spirits, dispels depression, quiets nerves and stops worries.  It is also know to increase sexual desire and help that couple that needs to “re-ignite the hotness spark”.   Apparently, it helps the respiratory system by regulating and deepening breathing and aids in easing spasms of the bronchi.  It supports liver function, is considered a blood purifier and apparently, the Jasmine root aids in insomnia, headaches, and other pains such as stiff limbs. 

    Jasmine is considered a skin rejuvenator and is used especially for those of us with and I quote ” hot, dry, sensitive, inflamed, mature skin”.  Damn, I’m a wreck:-)  Well, it is a good thing that it inspires confidence, opens warm emotions and intuitive wisdom, as well as aiding in meditation and visualization.  This plant is a miracle worker, since it is reputed to act as an antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, and sedative as well as restoring energy and vitality when needed most.

    As with all of my posts, I caution you to speak with a homeopathic practitioner or a medical physician before going hog wild with  any aromatherapy or crystal therapy.  This is especially important with Jasmine since it has quite a reputation in the pregnancy world.  It is recommended that women stay away from Jasmine during their first trimester since Jasmine is used to assist a mother during childbirth.  Supposedly, if you massage over lower back and abdomen during early labor, it alleviates pain, strengthens contractions and helps to expel the placenta.  It is noted to hasten childbirth by acting to strengthen contractions and alleviating pain at the same time.  How come this isn’t used in hospitals…..would have made my labor much easier….especially on my husband:-)  Jasmine is also effective in helping with post-partum depression and assists in curing vaginal infections.   I know most of the men reading this post are like “eeeew, way too much information” but stay with me because Jasmine does something for your favorite part of the anatomy.

    Jasmine aids in male sex organ function, helps treat enlargement of the prostate, and reportedly increases the number of sperm production.  It also helps treat impotence, premature ejaculation, and frigidity.  I can picture it now, florists everywhere will run out of Jasmine flowers.

    So there you have it, Jasmine in a nut shell.  If you decide to buy Jasmine oil for use at home, ensure that you buy pure essential oil, it may cost more but is so worth it.  You can utilize it as a perfume, aroma burner, massage oi, room deodorizer spray and I use it to scent my water feature for meditation.  My next scent post will be about Bergamot, very masculine and earthy.