Jasmine is a sturdy, climbing, evergreen shrub with bright green leaves that grows to be approximately twenty feet tall with white star-shaped flowers. These flowers can only be picked at night because they only bloom at night. This beautiful plant can be found in Egypt, Morocco, and the Mediterranean.
They were originally found in Peru, Kashmir, and China. Jasmine is sought after for its powerful characteristics that aid the body as an anti-depressant, an aphrodisiac, and its confidence-boosting qualities it has on the mind. Jasmine’s essential oil is steam distilled from its flowers, it takes huge quantities of petals to prepare one ounce of Jasmine’s essential oil.
Jasmine essential oil has a sweet and floral aroma. It has many healing properties than are very useful it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antiseptic and as a sedative. It may be blended with other herbs such as bergamot, Clary sage, frankincense, geranium, lime, lemon balm, rose, rosewood and sandalwood. When blended with these herbs its provides many different ways to promote the body’s natural way of healing.
Because of the number of petals needed to make jasmine’s essential oil, it is rare and highly sought after. It was extremely valuable oil during ancient times. Because it was thought to have aphrodisiac powers for many centuries it was used in different cultures in many types of ceremonies. The Chinese used jasmine in sick rooms to cleanse the air.
It was also used by Egyptians to relieve nervous disorders, insomnia, and headaches. The Chinese still drink jasmine tea on a daily basis, and in Indonesia, it is used as a garnish to food.
In today’s aromatherapy jasmine essential oil is expensive, but it is worth it for the skin. It encourages cell growth and increases skin elasticity. It is prescribed by herbalist to aid in the healing of minor to moderate burns. It is also used to help with muscle spasms and sprains.
It is recommended for use during childbirth, but not until the later stages of labor. At that point, it can be very useful as it strengthens the uterine contractions and relieves pain.
