Parks Life
Fragrance Facts: Uses and Benefits of Jasmine
The uses and benefits of Jasmine are aplenty. With its recognisable sweet fragrance and generous white blooms, jasmine is revered as one of the world’s most precious floral extracts. For centuries, this fast-growing vine has been used to blend fine perfumes and home fragrances. While many cultures also use it to make remedies which are believed to treat a range of symptoms. From abdominal pain to dysentery.
Any keen gardener will attest to just how rewarding jasmine is to grow. The plant grows an average of 12-24 inches per year, climbing to a height of 10-15 feet. But, of course, it’s jasmine’s white blooms which make it such a staple in the garden. It's beautiful petals producing a sweet scent that’s capable of permeating even the largest outdoor spaces.
Here, we provide a little background to jasmine.
Where Does Jasmine Come From?
How is Jasmine Grown and Cultivated?
The Benefits of Jasmine
Throughout the world, there are hundreds of different cultivars (or types) of jasmine. Which have developed through the centuries either naturally or through the process of targeted breeding. But, no matter which country or genus of jasmine. Most growers follow a similar cultivation routine when it comes to getting the very extracts from their jasmine crop.
Firstly, jasmine buds are harvested during the early morning. Before its sweetly-scented nectar has been used up by visiting bees and insects later in the day. The buds are selected for their size, firmness and colour, with green or soft buds rejected in favour of large, strong and pure white flowers which emit the strongest scent.
Given the delicateness of jasmine petals, extracting the plant’s fragrant oil requires a complicated and energy-intensive procedure. To coax the jasmine oil from the petals, an alcohol-soluble solvent is used to ‘pull’ the oil from the bud of the jasmine flower. This is done using a cylindrical drum which slowly rotates. Encouraging the petals to release their beautiful fragrance as a fragrant wax known as a concrete.
The solvent is then evaporated from the concrete through distillation or alcohol washing, leaving only the jasmine essential oil behind. This substance is known as jasmine absolute. It’s extremely expensive in its raw, unprocessed form. Used only in the most expensive, high-end perfumes and fragrances. The absolute is generally mixed with other compounds for the mass market. With multiple grades used to define the strength and clarity of the original jasmine fragrance.
Interesting Facts and Uses of Jasmine
Jasmine is a wonderful, versatile plant, beloved for its sweet scent and pretty white petals. But, aside from its use in perfumery, home fragrance and cultural ceremonies, jasmine has other uses.
Jasmine Facts
- Jasmine has been used to help liver damage, including cirrhosis. It’s also known to alleviate abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
- In some cultures, jasmine is used as a natural sedative, much like lavender. Its sweet scent is known to help alleviate stress and anxiety, helping the body to unwind.
- Jasmine is an aphrodisiac, meaning it can heighten sexual desire. That’s why it’s a common ingredient in massage oils, as well as, of course, perfume.
- In some countries around the world. The unique aroma of jasmine is used to flavour drinks, baked goods, puddings and frozen desserts.
- Jasmine is linked to helping to reduce the symptoms of some cancers Research is continuing into how else the plant can help in the fight against cancer.
Like our article on the benefits of Jasmine? We use only the finest extracts in our luxury candles and home fragrance gifts, including the very finest jasmine. To browse our complete collection, visit the homepage today.