by Dr. Geetanjali Ranade
With a divine scent that can reach up to 70 meters, jasmine—from the Arabic “Yasmine" meaning “Gift of God"—communicates its presence to all who come near it. This flower from the family Oleaceae has been held dear in many cultures for centuries. Cleopatra was said to have been enslaved by the scent of jasmine and used it in her hair. In Indonesia, Jasmine sambac (Puspa bangsa) is the national flower and the most important flower in their wedding ceremonies. Jasmine officinale is the national flower of Pakistan.
It is also holds religious meaning. In the Philippines, garlands of jasmine (known to the people as “sampaguita") are used to adorn religious images. Similarly, Buddhists regard garlands of jasmine as a symbol of respect and regards. The yellow-flowered jasmine variety Hemapushpika (Jasmine humile) is offered by Hindus to propitiate God, specifically Shiva and Ganesha. The plant was also held sacred to the followers of Indra, an ancient Indo-Iranian god.
Jasmine is a climbing shrub with compound leaves with seven to nine leaflets, with long tubular corolla. The flowers, roots and leaves all have medicinal value. Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of flowers, plucked in early morning time. Traditionally, the oil from the flowers was used to address in headache, eye trouble and skin ailments. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), jasmine flowers are used to regulate energy in body, balance internal regions, address abdominal pain and diarrhea, and aid in conjunctivitis. Using jasmine oil in massage can help elevate mood as it acts as an emotional invigorator. The aphrodisiac element in jasmine is indole, which is an important ingredient in fine fragrances. Jasmine releases emotions and helps move on from past pains. It teaches one how to connect your soul with body.
Each species of jasmine has certain applications:
- Jasmine augustifolium (wild jasmine): The roots are bitter and acrid. It is useful for external application in case of ringworm and herpes. Recommended for wounds as well as pruritus. Leaves are used as emetic in case of poisoning.
- Jasmine arborescens (tree jasmine): Its leaves are bitter, astringent and tonic. Useful in bronchial obstruction.
- Jasmine auricalatum (needle flower jasmine): The roots are useful for ringworm; the flowers are fragrant, bitter, astringent and diuretic. Useful in burning sensation, ulcers and dermopathy
- Jasmine grandiflorum (Spanish jasmine, common jasmine, Catalonian jasmine): The plant is bitter, astringent and thermogenic. The roots are used in cephalgia (headache), facial paralysis and skin diseases. The leaves are used in wounds, skin diseases and corns. And the flowers are useful in skin diseases as well as leprosy.
- Jasmine multiflorum (downy jasmine): Its dried leaves are useful in indolent ulcers; flowers are useful in inflammation, rheumatism and cephalgia.
- Jasmine sambac (Arabian jasmine, Tuscan jasmine, sambac jasmine): A combination of the roots and leaves is useful in ophthalmopathy. Alone, the leaves are useful in skin diseases, ulcer and fever and flowers are useful for leprosy, vomiting and cephalgia.
Many perfumers while designing a fragrance use jasmine either as a top note or as end note. Jasmine is vital constituent of many of the world’s finest perfumes and colognes, the most popular being Chanel No. 5. It is a favorite fragrance for almost all applications, be it soap, creams, lotions or personal fragrance.
Geetanjali Ranade is a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. She was visiting scientist at National Cardiovascular Canter, Japan for post-doctoral research in brain physiology. She has completed her aromatherapy course from Australasian College of Herbal Studies. She also holds RMP (Registered Medical Practitioner) from the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine. At present she is working at Goldfield Fragrances Pvt. Ltd., India. Contact her at [email protected].