Description

‘Shil il ham’, I’m just wishing you happiness, delights, hope and good spirits as this Arabic phrase means “smell the scent of Jasmine and forget your troubles”.

Botanical name: Jasminum grandiflorum

Origin: India

Source: Flower

‘King of flowers’, ‘Queen of the Night’ and ‘Moonlight of the Grove’ are the ways by which the world adores Jasmine. The exotic, musky, mystifying, mesmerizing, sensual, zesty and the most masculine of all the flowery aromas in the world, Jasmine flowers grab the attention during their fullest blooms in the midnight.

Jasmine has derived its name from the Old French word Jasmine that is again derived from the Persian word ‘yasmin’ literally meaning “gift from God”. Admired for its absolute elegance and transfixing fragrance, Jasmine is always the sweetest and the most valuable flower in the garden of nature. Scientifically known as Jasminum Grandiflorum, this royal Jasmine variety blooms during the day and transforms its fragrant essence throughout the daylight hours. Jasmine symbolizes a variety of exuberant thoughts in various parts of the world. It is a sign of divine hope in India and the sweetness of women in China. Jasmine and its essential oil have been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac all over the world. Since the ancient Arabic and Hindu traditional systems, it is admired as the ‘perfume of pure love’ and thus the expression “no perfume without Jasmine.”

Although jasmine essential oil possesses numerous therapeutic properties, it is more popular for its aphrodisiac attributes. While not much scientific evidence is there to validate this attribute of jasmine essential oil, this does not prevent people in many parts of the world from using the oil to stimulate sexual activities as well as believe that it promotes fertility. For instance, people in Thailand sprinkle the flowers on the bed of the newly married, while aromatherapists even in the United States prescribe jasmine essential oil for treating a number of sexual disorders, including inhibition. Jasmine essential oil is also considered to be a natural antidepressant. Aroma therapists are of the view that this oil is especially useful for people enduring symptoms of lethargy and exhaustion. They are of the opinion that jasmine essential oil functions partially to reduce apprehension and also open up new emotional pathways.

It may be mentioned here that jasmine essential oil is known to offer several emotional and physical benefits. In aromatherapy, jasmine essential oil is said to be a potent tranquilizer as well as a relaxant that induces warmth and promotes sound sleep. This oil is especially useful for those suffering from nervous anxiety, depression and insomnia. Jasmine essential oil is among the most common natural oils that are used for meditation. This oil not only encourages the feeling of harmony and hopefulness, but its use also brings about joy, contentment, cheerfulness and other similar feelings. Jasmine essential oil also possesses inspiring as well as antidepressant properties and is, therefore, very helpful for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, low spirit, mood swings or changing moods and similar conditions.

General properties

antidepressant

aphrodisiac

soothing

uplifting

Blends well with

bergamot

clary sage

geranium

rose

sandalwood

ylang ylang

General uses

apathy

depression

dry sensitive skin

frigidity

impotence

increases breast milk

lack of confidence

menopause

over-sensitivity

Precaution

Notwithstanding its therapeutic properties, one must always remember that the essential oil extracted from jasmine flowers should never be used internally or consumed. In addition, pregnant women should not use it in the initial four months of pregnancy. However, massaging this oil during childbirth helps to ease pains during labor.