Jasmine is a shrub indigenous to Old World European Mediterranean countries such as France, Italy and Greece. Its vines climb the sides of trees and buildings. This shrub is very well known for its beautiful white flowers which smell similar to orange and lemon tree blossoms…
Jasmine's Medicinal History
Jasmine is used as a medicinal herb and has long been used in Aromatherapy, the art of using herb macerates in oil medicinally and as a tea for centuries. This herb is frequently mixed with Green Tea and labelled Jasmine Green Tea to give it its characteristic odour and taste.
Parts of the Jasmine Plant That Are Used
This herb is used mostly to flavour Green Tea. The flowers are picked during the day and laid over the green tea leaves so at night when the flowers open and emit their beautiful fragrance it scents the tea leaves.
As an essential oil, Jasmine is used mixed with a carrier oil like Jojoba or Grape Seed Oil and used in massage therapy around the globe. You can also find it as an alcohol extract for oral consumption.
Key Health Benefits of Jasmine
This herb has been used for many ailments. When used topically, the oil can treat joint pain and inflammation. As a tea, it has been used for digestion, cough and to soothe the throat.
Studies show that the Jasmine fragrance affects your nervous system. It affects your autonomic nervous system creating the feeling of relaxation and elevated mood due to its medicinal property called linalool and through your olfactory nerves in your nose. Specifically, Jasmine decreases heart rate and produces a calming effect.
Jasmine can also increase circulation, specifically your heart circulation and circulation to your extremities. Given that it is a sedative which calms your autonomic nervous system it will slow your heart rate and dilate blood vessels, making it a great cardiovascular herb.
Tips For Using Jasmine In Your Daily Routine
This herb can be drunk daily in Green Tea to give you a sense of relaxation but with a little extra energy which Green Tea provides.
In an alcoholic extract, Jasmine can be ingested in a little water to improve circulation and digestion and for its calming effects.
As an essential oil, Jasmine can be put into an infuser and emitted into your office or home to make the air smell delightful and provide a calming environment for your coworkers and family. It can also be put in natural unscented cleaning solutions like vinegar and water to clean your household. Jasmine oil, like Lavender oil, can be added to water and spritzed onto your pillows to have a calming effect at bedtime. This is great if you suffer from insomnia or if your kids have trouble settling at bedtime. Or if you simply enjoy the smell of this flower you can use the essential oil as a perfume.
