The Many Benefits of Jasmine

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of smelling Jasmine, you know how captivating its scent is. Beyond its delightful fragrance and ornamental appeal, Jasmine offers a treasure trove of health benefits that have been cherished for centuries. From soothing stress and anxiety to enhancing your skin's natural radiance, Jasmine isn't just a fragrant addition to your garden; it's a potent elixir that can transform your physical and emotional well-being.

Join us as we explore the history, folklore, and science of Jasmine's many health benefits in this blog post, and learn how you can harness the power of this exquisite flower to enrich your life. You’ll also receive a luxurious DIY recipe for Jasmine oil you can easily make at home. Prepare to be captivated by the wonders of Jasmine and its potential to nurture both body and soul.

Jasmine has been cherished across cultures and goes by many names. The plant is highly regarded in many tropical regions. In fact, Jasminum officinale, or Common Jasmine is the national flower of Pakistan, while Jasminum sambac, or Arabian Jasmine, is one of three national flowers in Indonesia and is the national flower of the Philippines.

The name Jasmine, or Jasminum, comes from the Persian word “Yasmin” meaning “Gift from God.” With just one inhale of this potent plant, it’s not a stretch to think that these decadent flowers truly are a gift from God or some sort of higher power. The aroma of Jasmine is not simply floral, as you might expect – it’s also a mysterious mixture of sweet and spicy. The Jasmine flower embodies an androgynous aroma, with a decadent balance of both feminine sweetness and masculine muskiness.  

Jasmine is considered a highly sacred plant that has numerous ceremonial uses in many cultures. In the Philippines, it is commonly called “Sampai Kita,” which means “I promise you.” The flower symbolizes a pledge of mutual love, strength, simplicity, sacredness, humility, and purity. In both the Philippines and Indonesia, Jasmine often represents a relationship to the divine. It is commonly thought of as sacred and cherished for special moments in life. In these countries, you will commonly see Jasmine used in ceremonies and rituals, adorning altars in honor of the dead, or as a token of celebration for weddings, births, and other momentous occasions.   

In India, Jasmine is often called “the Queen of the Night” because the flowers are thought to be more aromatic after sunset, and certain flower species bloom only at night. In Hinduism, Jasmine is commonly used in prayer and devotion to the goddess Devi, who represents the divine feminine energy, as it is often seen as a symbol of fertility and is traditionally used to address reproductive issues associated with the uterus.  

In ancient times, Jasmine was believed to have a prophetic nature and hold secrets of wisdom. In magical traditions, Jasmine would often be burned as incense to encourage clairvoyant dreams and astral projection, according to herbalist and nutritional consultant, Brigitte Mars. (To learn how to make your own Jasmine incense, check out our Traditional Incense Crafting course.)

The aromatic experience of Jasmine is nothing short of magical – there is almost something holy about the interaction between a human and the scent of Jasmine. The prowess of this plant most notably lies in its influence on the mental and emotional body and its ability to soothe the nervous system.

Jasmine oil has been used for centuries to support the nervous system and soothe anxiety and depression. This aromatic plant ally has an affinity for sweeping out pessimism and paranoia, especially when it manifests as low self-confidence and low self-esteem. Sometimes we can be our biggest obstacle, stubbornly standing in the way of accomplishing our goals and dreams. Jasmine uplifts your energy and spirit, lifting you up energetically and metaphorically, ultimately helping you to get out of your own way.  

Jasmine’s aromatic medicine can be very grounding, calming, and cooling, dedicated to dissolving rigidity and irritability. It has a unique and gentle way of balancing emotions and washing away tension. It’s thought to help cleanse the emotions and encourage love and compassion to grow. 

It can help soothe fiery expressions associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) like anxiety, anger, irritability, and feeling out of control. It can also ease these fiery states that happen on their own and not alongside PMS. Jasmine allows you to let go of the need to control and trust the process. It can also help you let go of anger or resentment that you might be holding on to in your heart, or emotions you are holding on to that are no longer serving you. 

Jasmine is often referred to as a calmative and sedative herb, meaning that it’s so calming that it can induce sleep. In fact, one research study found that aromatherapy use of Jasmine was so effective for soothing anxiety and promoting sleep that the researchers compared its effects similar to pharmaceuticals like barbiturates or propofol (without the risky side effects).

For ages, Jasmine has been well-known for its aphrodisiac qualities. On a fundamental level, an aphrodisiac is defined as an herb that arouses sexual instinct and desire, with the potential to enhance pleasure. Traditionally, Jasmine has a history of being used in this way, as it has been thought to relax and increase circulation to the genitals. Herbalist and nutritionist Brigitte Mars shares that it’s believed to have an affinity for addressing complaints like low libido and erectile dysfunction. 

Mars actually reports that the essential oil has a chemical structure similar to that of human sweat. This may indicate why some believe that wearing the scent of Jasmine increases their “attractiveness,” as some scientific studies link chemicals in body odor to sexual attraction levels. But Jasmine offers much more depth than simply a physical aphrodisiac. Many herbal aphrodisiacs can work on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level as well.  

Jasmine is the plant ally for embodiment work in regard to sensuality, intimacy, and sexuality. The aroma of Jasmine can help us to relax the tension and nervous anxiety in the body, which in turn can help us dismantle barriers and walls that are blocking us from truly and authentically stepping into our true selves. 

The aromatic medicine of Jasmine flowers supports the libido by helping dissolve emotional barriers, which in turn, supports us to build comfort in our own sensuality. On top of that, Jasmine is believed to help promote feelings of love, confidence, compassion, acceptance, and emotional balance. 

In the ancient Indian chakra system, sexuality is associated with the sacral chakra, which is housed in the pelvic region around the lumbar spine under the belly button. The sacral chakra represents not only sexuality but also creativity. According to this tradition, your sacral chakra is your source of creative expression, emotions, and more. Jasmine can help you embrace your creative side and feel confident and comfortable enough to share it with the world.

Jasmine essential oil is well-known in the aromatherapy world as a cherished ingredient in skincare routines. Renowned for its soothing and moisturizing properties, Jasmine oil is particularly effective in hydrating dry and sensitive skin, promoting a radiant and youthful complexion. Jasmine has an affinity for soothing irritating skin issues like dermatitis, eczema, and stress-related disorders. Its natural antibacterial and antiviral properties help combat acne and prevent breakouts, while its anti-inflammatory attributes can reduce redness and irritation. 

Furthermore, the oil's rich antioxidants and astringent properties tone and rejuvenate the skin, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Incorporating Jasmine essential oil into your skincare regimen can leave your skin looking and feeling revitalized and vibrant.

Jasmine is also commonly used topically to address a wide variety of aches and pains throughout the body, from back, joint, and muscle pain to menstrual cramps and more. It can also be applied topically to help with nerve pain, such as sciatica. 

Jasmine is considered a vulnerary herb, which means it supports the healing of wounds. Its antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties make it an effective herb in warding off infection. The leaf, root, and flowers of Jasmine have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help with pain relief, such as when addressing painful wounds.

Jasmine flowers are believed to help balance hormones in all body types, regardless of sex. Maybe this is a nod to the androgynous aroma of the flowers themselves. 

In particular, Jasmine is thought to have an affinity for the uterus. The flowers can help harmonize the menstrual cycle and promote tissue repair. Jasmine is considered an antispasmodic, which means it can help relax and soothe smooth painful muscle spasms felt during the menstrual cycle. For this reason, on top of Jasmine’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, it’s traditionally used topically to ease menstrual cramps. 

There are several different traditional methods of external application for Jasmine to address menstrual cramps. First, it can be applied topically as a poultice, which is essentially a direct application of the herb on the skin. This is typically prepared by macerating the dried or fresh plant material into a pulp or paste and then applying it directly to the skin. Sometimes a bandage, band-aid, or gauze is used to help hold the herb in place. The poultice would then be applied to the areas where pain is present. 

Jasmine can also be used externally for menstrual cramp relief by mixing the powdered leaf or essential oil in a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil. The oil can then be directly applied topically as a body oil or made into an herbal salve to be used in abdominal massage or application. To learn about how to correctly dilute an essential oil, visit our Proper Essential Oil Dilution Chart & Guide.

Some herbal sources recommend avoiding Jasmine during pregnancy. Never consume an essential oil or apply it directly to the skin. Always dilute an essential oil before using it topically. Avoid applying a diluted essential oil near sensitive areas like the eyes.

There are many fun ways to incorporate Jasmine into your daily life. For aromatherapy, you can use the essential oil in a diffuser or try your hand at crafting incense with Jasmine. Or maybe purchase Jasmine hydrosol to use as an aromatherapy room spray or a face and body spritz. If you enjoy gardening, you could buy a Jasmine plant from your local nursery and grow it in a pot or in your backyard. This way you can enjoy the fresh flower blossoms throughout the blooming season and have access to fresh flowers and leaves to experiment with making different herbal preparations, like an herbal tincture or cordial. 

One of the easiest ways to work with Jasmine topically is by diluting the essential oil into a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil. This oil can be used topically as a self-care body oil for stress and anxiety relief, face oil, bedtime ritual oil for sleep support, abdominal massage for relief from menstrual cramps, massage oil for aches and pains, aphrodisiac oil, or an oil in self-embodiment practice. You can also add some of this Jasmine oil to an herbal bath or foot soak for a relaxing, self-care practice. 

Follow the simple DIY recipe below to make your own Jasmine oil at home! 

If exploring the world of aromatic plants and their many diverse applications in the practice of aromatic medicine interests you, and you’d love to have access to many other plant monographs and hour+ long plant talk videos (including a deeper dive into the many virtues of Jasmine), the Aromatic Medicine Garden Membership might be the perfect fit for you.

Supplies Needed:

4-oz or 60-ml amber bottle 
Jasmine essential oil
4 oz of jojoba oil
Funnel
Label and pen

Directions:

The amount of essential oil you use depends on the intended purpose of your Jasmine oil. Follow the suggestions below based on what you will primarily be using the oil for.

First Aid Use (body oil for pain): 5% dilution = 60 drops of Jasmine oil
General Massage for Emotional Healing and Relaxation: 3% dilution = 36 drops of Jasmine oil
Face Oil: 1% dilution = 12 drops of Jasmine oil
Herbal Baths: 2% dilution = 24 drops of Jasmine oil

Carefully drop the indicated amount of essential oil into the amber bottle. Using a funnel, pour the jojoba oil into the bottle to fill the rest of the amber bottle. Place the cap on and give the bottle a good shake. Be sure to label your jar with all ingredients and the date. 

Your Jasmine oil is ready to use. Store it in a cool, dark place and it should stay good for up to 5 years – though you will probably use it all up before then!

Latin Name: Jasminum sambac
Other Common Names: Arabian Jasmine, Gift from God, Queen of the night
Genus: Jasminum
Plant Family: Oleaceae (Olive)
Parts Used: flowers, leaves, root
Herbal Energetics and Actions: alterative, analgesic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, calmative, cooling, euphoriant, expectorant, nervine, sedative, uterine tonic, vulnerary
Body Systems Affiliation: nervous, reproductive, and integumentary systems
Aroma: rich, sweet, fruity, musky, earthy

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Article Written By Melissa Szaro

© 2023 The Northwest School of Aromatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

*The statements above have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are for educational purposes only. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your physician before you use this information for health purposes.