The Healing Scent of Jasmine Herbal
Remedies
Jasmine has long been loved for its wonderful scent. This
climbing plant blooms with one of the most aromatic flowers in
the garden.
The jasmine plant was first introduced in Europe in the
16th century and it quickly gained immense
popularity because of its scent. French perfumers especially
took an interest this lovely climbing plant.
However, the jasmine plant also has healing properties. The
scented oil that is extracted from the plant has been used in
Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic for hundreds of years. It is also
used as a well-known cleansing remedy.
In China, Jasmine tea has been a long-standing healing
favorite. The taste of the jasmine plant is alternately
described as astringent, pungent, bitter, and slightly
cooling.
The jasmine plant contains alkaloids, including linalool, as
well as salicylic acid. The jasmine plant has many actions
attributed to it. Its flowers have been known as an
aphrodisiac, an astringent, a bitter but relaxing nervine, an
analgesic, a sedative, and a plant which helps encourage milk
flow.
The essential oil derived from the
jasmine plant is thought to operate as an antidepressant, an
antiseptic, an antispasmodic, an aphrodisiac, a sedative, and a
uterine tonic.
There are two main components that are used from the jasmine
plants: its flowers, and its essential oil.
The jasmine plant flowers have been used in Ayurvedic
medicine for hundreds of years. In Ayurvedic medicine, the
jasmine flowers are known as jati and it is regarded as a
"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">sattvic tonic, which
encourages the principles of light, harmony, and increased
perception, all principles that are associated with sattvic
which is one of the three qualities of health in traditional
Ayurvedic medicine.
The sattvic element of the jasmine flower is also thought to
emphasize the nature of love and compassion. The jasmine
flowers are also thought to work as a mild aphrodisiac for
women. Jati is also used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to
reduce fevers and to fortify the immune system.
The flowers of the jasmine plant are also used to make an
aromatic tea. The Chinese have been using Arabian jasmine since
at least AD 300 to scent teas. The flowers of the Arabian
jasmine plant are known in China as mo li and they are highly
regarded in China as a scenting agent.
In traditional Chinese medicine and practice, the Arabian
jasmine flowers were placed alongside heat-dried green tea so
that the green tea would absorb the scent of the jasmine
flowers. These days, commercial tea makers simply mix the
jasmine flower petals with the regular tea.
Jasmine tea infusions are recommended for treating
infections, urinary inflammation and fevers.
The jasmine flowers can be combined nicely with lemon balm
or skullcap to create a calming, relaxing tea.
A wash made from infused jasmine tea flowers can also be
used to bathe scrapes and cuts.
Jasmine flower compresses can also be made to treat heat
stroke, headaches, or anxiety.
Massage oil can also be created by diluting jasmine oil with
almond oil an applying to the skin.
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