Jasmine – Essential Oil
Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
The Grand Duke of Tuscany was so impressed with its fragrance and the reports of it being an aphrodisiac, that he quickly imported this plant from India and forbade even the gardener to take cuttings from it.
Jasmine flowers are used in China in the treatment of hepatitis and dysentery. In India, guests at wedding ceremonies are given jasmine garlands to wear. It is very costly, but a little goes a long way and the perfume from this oil lasts a long time.
Other uses include:
Painful periods
Childbirth
Post-natal depression / baby blues
Anti-depressant
Flu (early stages)
Cautions
Do not use on babies and children under the age of 12 years old.
Painful periods
Jasmine oil eases pain.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil, and massage into abdominal area.
Childbirth
Jasmine oil relieves pain and is relaxing.
Directions for use
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil, and massage into abdominal area.
Post-natal depression / baby blues
Jasmine oil raises the sprits of those who are tired out and in need of a lift.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Anti-depressant
Jasmine oil eases emotional pain and stress related depression.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head, and allow steam to rise and inhale.
Flu
Use jasmine oil in the early stages of flu to ease symptoms.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head, and allow steam to rise and inhale. Use once a week.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light burner.
Foot bath: Put 3 drops of oil in bowl of warm / hot water and soak feet for up to 15 minutes.
Further Information
Where grown: The plant grows mainly in the north west region of India. It is a climbing plant with pinkish flowers. Cultivated plants are grown in Grasse (France), Egypt and Morocco.
Parts used and method of extraction: The oil comes from the flower petals, which is why it is such an expensive oil to buy, because so many petals are needed. It is extracted by a process called enfleurage, which is time consuming. The flowers have to be picked at night when it is dark, because it is at this time that the plant chemistry is at its best. You can get jasmine oil that has been extracted with the use of solvents but this oil is of inferior quality and should be avoided.
Colour and smell: Rich, heady, and floral in fragrance. This oil is amber to brown in colour, and is very viscous.
Active ingredients: Indol, methyl anthranilate, linalyl acetate, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, and others.
Properties: Antidepressant, aphrodisiac, relaxing.