Jasmine
Jasmine (from the Persian yasmin, i.e. "gift from God") A prominent member of the family "Oleaceae" Jasmine is scientifically known as Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton.An evergreen shrub, Jasmine is the pride of all beautiful gardens. It usually climbs up as a vine and reaches to a height of about 8 to 10 feet. Strangely the little flowers that this plant bears in huge clusters is simply about an inch each. The oval shaped green rich leaves, bear around five to nine leaflets which give the entire plant a very beautiful and artistic look. A symbol of purity and peace the beautiful jasmine flowers are white in color. Jasmine plant grows worldwide spreading its fragrance all over. In the [Shade in summer|Summer]] season preferably from June to November, plant a softwood cutting, semi hard wood cutting or it can be easily done through simple layering. Make sure that it is planted six inches deep inside the soil. Regular watering ensures ongoing life for the plant as it requires moist and well drained soil to flourish. Proper quantities of manure, good Sunlight and frequent pruning will result in a healthy jasmine plant. Give it a heavy support to climb up to. Do not forget to remove the weeds present near Jasmine plants. Keep adding Fertilizers from time to time. For nourishment of the plant Phosphorous and Potassium should be applied in two split doses i.e once after annual pruning and again during June and July. To avoid frequent pruning and to enhance lateral growth pinch the tips of the plants.
- Kingdom : Plantae
- Division : Magnoliophyta
- Class : Magnoliopsida
- Order : Lamiales
- Family : Oleaceae
- Genus : Jasminum
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[edit] Popular Varieties
Worldwide Popular Varieties Of Jasmine
- Common Jasmine - poet's Jasmine - Jasmine officinale, is native to Iran, which produces fragrant white flowers that are the source of attar of Jasmine used in perfumery.
- Winter Jasmine - Jasmine nudiflorum, a Chinese species with solitary yellow flowers, is used as a cover plant on hillsides.
- Arabian Jasmine - Jasmine sambac, are used to make jasmine Tea.
- South African Jasmine - Jasmine angulare: an evergreen vine, which is only hardy in the coastal areas. Jasmine blooms in the summer, bearing unscented white flowers in groups of three.
- Spanish Jasmine - Jasmine grandiflorum: is a semi-evergreen to deciduous vine with fragrant, white flowers, which are 1 inch in diameter.
- Italian Jasmine - Jasmine humile: an evergreen shrub or vine, which can reach up to 20 feet and arch to make a 10-foot-wide mound. Clusters of fragrant, bright yellow flowers are present all summer.
- Primrose Jasmine - Jasmine mesnyi: an evergreen shrub with yellow, unscented flowers, which are up to 2 inches in diameter.
- Downy Jasmine - Jasmine multiflorum: has clustered, white flowers that are not strongly scented. The stems and leaves have a downy coating, resulting in an overall gray-green effect.
[edit] Jasmine Plant Care
- Remove the weeds present near Jasmine plants.
- Fertilizers should be added from time to time. Mild or moderate fertilizers must be used.
- Add fertilizers for every two weeks - 10% potassium, 20% phosphorous and 10 % nitrogen combination of fertilizer is best suited for Jasmine plant
- Phosphorous and Potassium should be applied in two split doses i.e once after annual pruning and again during June and July.
- Tips of the plants should be pinched to stimulate lateral growth and frequent running.
- First irrigation should be given immediately after planting and subsequent irrigation at an interval of seven to ten days.
- Younger plants should be tied with the stems to give a fairly heavy support.
- It differs how to take care of Jasmine plant depending on indoor and outdoor. When it comes for Indoor plant care, Jasmine needs 4-6 hours of exposure to Sunlight. So better keep Jasmine plant in the balcony. Dont exposure it to direct Sunlight in the afternoon. Keep it in shades during mid day, especially in Summer.
- For indoor planting, care should be taken so that the plant does not develop fungus.
- If at all it is placed inside the house, to avoid fungus the best suited place is near a open window
- Pruning in late spring is preferred.
- For Jasmine polyanthum, frequent pruning is must.
- If spider mites are found, water spray on leaves gets rid of the problems.
- Dead leaves and branches and dead flowers must be removed from time to time. Otherwise the growth of the plant gets effected.
- For outdoor Jasmine plant care - The preffered time to plant this Jasmine bushes is June and November.
- If you plant 2-3 Jasmine Bushes, you need to give adequate space between them, so that their roots can expand.
- Sandy loam soil is best recommended for growing Jasmine plant.
- Water the plant daily, dont let the soil completely dry.
- You can add lime to soil for the plants healthy growth
Some Interesting Facts About Jasmine Flower
- Jasmine shrubs grow 12-24 inches per year and thus reach to a height of 10-15 feet
- Jasmine leaves are either evergreen or deciduous. This implies that either the leaves will remain evergreen or will fall off at maturity
- Jasmine oil, which is a very popular fragrant oil, contains benzyl acetate, terpinol, jasmone, benzyl benzoate, linalool, several alcohols, and many other compounds
- The variety Jasminium sambac, is a clustered flower of a equally strong scent which is known as Pikake in Hawaii
- Jasminum grandiflorum and Jasminum officinale are the two types of jasmine plants which are widely used for oil production
- Beware, the nectar of the fragrant flowers of Carolina Jasmine, Gelsemium sempervirens, is poisonous, and interestingly its dried roots are used in medicinal preparations as a sedative
- Jasmine flower oil, extracted from the two species Jasminum Officinale and Grandiflorum, is used in high-grade perfumes and cosmetics, such as creams, oils, soaps, and shampoos of exotic quality.
[edit] Medicinal Uses
- The Jasmine flower forms a vital ingredient of almost all Ayurveda medicines owing to its diverse curing qualities. Specifically it is used to remove intestinal worms
- It is considered to be an apt and biological cure for jaundice and other venereal diseases
- The flower buds help in treatment of ulcers, vesicles, boils, skin diseases and eye disorders
- The leaves extracts against breast tumors
- Drinking Jasmine tea regularly helps in curing cancer
- Its oil is very effective in calming and relaxing.
- The Chinese, Arabians and Indians used Jasmine medicinally, as an aphrodisiac and for ceremonial purposes. The root is used in China to treat headaches, insomnia, and pain due to dislocated joints and broken bones; it is reported to have anaesthetic properties.Several Jasminium species have been used in cancers
- Aroma-therapists find the Jasmine flower an antidepressant and relaxing herb which is said to help with dry or sensitive skin and tiredness. In vapor therapy Jasmine oil can be useful for addiction, depression, nervousness, coughs, relaxation and tension. Jasmine oil can be used as a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath for almost everything: addiction, postnatal depression, relaxation, muscle pain, coughs, tension, stress and nervousness. Jasmine oil can be used in a base cream or lotions for dry or greasy and sensitive skin, as well as assisting with stretch marks and scars.
- In Borneo young Jasmine leaf is boiled and the infusion is taken to treat gallstones. Root is boiled and the infusion to treat diabetesmellitus.
Other medical uses of Jasmine sambac:
- Abdomen - China
- Ache (Head) - China, Malaysia, Iraq
- Anesthetic - China
- Anodyne - China
- Antiemmenagogueue - Samoa
- Asthma - Phillipines
- Collyrium - Iraq, Malaya
bunch of Jasmine flowers
- Conjunctivitis - China
- Decongestant - Iraq, Malaya
- Dermatosis - Malaya
- Dysentery - China
- Fever - Iraq
- Fracture - China
- Insomnia -China
- Lactifuge - Asia
- Lotions - Iraq
- Sapraemia - Malaya
- Sedative - China
- Skin - Asia
- Sore - China
- Tumor - China
- Tumor (Breast) - India
- Venereal - Malaya
[edit] Jasmine Tea
A jasmine plant achieves its full bloom at midnight and that is when its blossoms are picked up. It is the time when the plant releases its fragrance. Thereafter, the flowers are strewn over green tea leaves, so that, the leaves absorb the fragrance of the flowers. This creates a strong taste and a prominent scent of the Tea when prepared. Jasmine tea, besides being made using green tea, is also prepared using some variations of black tea flavored with various herbs. Now let's have a brief study on the various health benefits of jasmine tea.
[edit] Jasmine Tea Health Benefits
The antioxidant properties of jasmine tea, makes it a potent remedy to ward off some forms of cancer. The tea destroys free radicals and this helps in slowing the process of aging, apart from lowering the risks of developing cancer.People who are in a habit of consuming jasmine Tea, have lower incidents of heart attacks. This is due to the fact, that the tea helps in keeping a check on the bad cholesterol level of the body.
- For dysentery, influenza and cholera, drinking jasmine tea is one of the most beneficial home remedies, that has been followed for centuries. Jasmine tea effects are also evident in its effectiveness in preventing colds. The tea fights many bacteria and viruses and helps in populating a number of friendly bacteria in the body.
- Apart from reducing the cholesterol levels in the body, jasmine tea also works towards reducing high blood pressure and in the prevention of diabetes, brain strokes, thrombosis and arterial sclerosis.Using jasmine tea as a mouth wash on a daily basis, improves dental health by preventing the development of cavities. The ingredients in jasmine tea are known to stimulate the body to burn calories and encourage weight-loss. It is also one of the effective ways of colon cleansing and preventing gastric ulcers.
- Other benefits which you can enjoy by the use of jasmine tea includes prevention of allergy, reducing risks of blood clots, boosting the , maintaining an appropriate fluid balance in the body and maintaining blood sugar levels.
[edit] Jasmine Tea Recipe
Here are some smart and easy tips for the preparation of jasmine tea.
- Consuming jasmine tea regularly helps you too lower the risk of lot many diseases. These days, jasmine tea is easily available health store and local grocery stores. All you need to is to purchase the one of your choice and get started. To begin with, get some quantity of loose jasmine tea from your nearest health/food store. Keep some water to boil at about 80 °C. Hot water helps the tea to release the healthy polypheols. Add about 1 tsp. of the tea leaves per tea pot. Let the tea be steeped for about 5 minutes. Take care not to let the steeping time go beyond 5 minutes, as it would make the tea taste bitter. You can even brew the tea for about 1 minute or so; many like to have their tea in that way. Drink the tea while it is hot. Alternatively, you can also get some jasmine teabags from the store. All you have to do is get some [[water conservation tips|water which has been boiled at 80 °C and dung the bag continuously, rather than letting it sit.
- Apart from this method, you can prepare your own jasmine tea at home. For this, you would need some fresh green tea or long tea leaves and plenty of jasmine blossoms. As mentioned above, spread the blossoms on the green tea leaves and allow 4 hours for the fragrance to be absorbed. This process is recommended to be repeated every night for about 1 week, for best results. Thereafter, prepare the tea in the same way as you do normally for other teas.
- Jasmine tea preparation is easy; whether prepared at home or purchased from a store. Apart from being delicious, it provides so many health benefits to the body. Drinking 4 cups a day is what is recommended by experts. So, bring home this tea; enjoy its refreshing taste and benefits as well.
[edit] Side Effects of Jasmine Tea
- Everything has its advantages as well as disadvantages. Similarly, jasmine tea also has certain side effects. Caffeine, some people say, is bad for us, for our nerves and our heart. On the other hand, some argue that this is not the case. Confused? Well, actually both are right. Too much of anything is bad for us, be it jasmine tea or some other healthy drink or food. Too much caffeine does have an effect on your nerves. Some people become complete nervous wrecks due to too much caffeine consumption. If you want to reduce the jasmine tea caffeine content, buy decaffeinated jasmine tea. But again, this has its disadvantage. You miss out on the actual taste and smell of the jasmine tea by buying decaffeinated jasmine tea. It also removes nearly one third of the antioxidants, which is the one that makes the tea so healthy for you. So the best thing you can do is balance everything that you eat or drink and buy high grade tea.
- Now that you know about jasmine tea benefits and side effects, make yourself a nice, warm cup of jasmine tea and savor the taste. Take in the smell and let it sooth away all your worries
[edit] Jasmine Oil
Historical Uses of Jasmine Essential Oil
With a [smooth skin|soft]], relaxing, and intoxicating aroma, jasmine oil has been used for cosmetics benefits for many years.
For example, investigations suggest that ancient cultures used jasmine bath oil and jasmine soap both as a perfume and as a beauty treatment, believing that jasmine essential oil would improve one’s skin and hair appearance.
Historians have also found that jasmine is native to China and the northern regions of India.Eventually, the Moors brought jasmine to Spain, where the use of jasmine essential oil then spread to France, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, Japan, and Turkey.
- In addition to the aromatic and cosmetic uses, ancient cultures had many other uses for jasmine. For example, Arabs, Indians, and Chinese people used jasmine for medicinal benefits and also as an aphrodisiac.
- Jasmine was an important part of various ceremonial celebrations. In China, jasmine flowers were used for making jasmine Tea, while Indonesians have used jasmine as a popular food garnish.
- Regions of Turkey, on the other hand, were known to have made rope from the stems of jasmine, while building various tools and items with the plant's wood.
- People use the Jasmine flowers as religious offerings to the gods(Indian) like Lord Shiva And Lord Vishnu.
[edit] Warnings Associated with Jasmine Oil Use
Jasmine oil is all natural, and it is known to be non-toxic, non-sensitising, and non-irritating; however, some people with specific allergies or health issues may experience rare reactions.
Aside from people with specific allergies, most people can safely use jasmine essential oil without any side effects or concerns.
Pregnant women (unless they are in the process of child delivery), however, should not use jasmine essential oil, as the oil has emmenagogue properties. Emmenagogue properties, which result in an increased blood flow to the pelvis region, could cause complications for some women who are not yet ready to deliver.
Adding to this caution, people using jasmine oil should avoid using too much of the oil; an excess of jasmine essential oil can prompt the body to reject absorption of the oil’s properties.
So less is more with this oil, which is just as well, as it's among the most expensive of aromatherapy essential oils
[edit] Childbirth Benefits of Jasmine Oil
Jasmine essential oil’s ability to increase energy levels while boosting feelings of happiness can also provide advantages for women in childbirth.
Specifically, jasmine oil has been shown to increase the speed of child delivery, as it commonly strengthens a woman's contractions while simultaneously reducing feelings of pain.
In addition, jasmine essential oil also helps prevent and/or treat post-natal depression, while also stimulating the flow of a new mother's breast milk.
[edit] Sexual Support
With its calming effects, many people use jasmine essential oil to treat various sexual issues and problems.
Specifically, the calming benefits of jasmine oil are often used to help decrease symptoms of premature ejaculation and impotence.
Some even use jasmine oil to increase the body's sexual response and feelings of desire. This is a traditional use, especially in India and the Middle East.
[edit] Skin and Respiratory Benefits
When used on the skin or in breathing treatments, jasmine essential oil can stimulate incredible health and well-being responses.
When used for the enhancement of respiratory health, jasmine oil can reduce coughs, hoarseness, and symptoms of laryngitis.
When applied to the skin, users will quickly notice a reduction in muscle pain and tension; jasmine oil can be used to reduce the pain associated with muscle stiffness, sprains, and other physical aches.
The oil is therefore particularly useful for people who enjoy exercise and physcial activities.
Furthermore, when applied to the skin, jasmine oil can be used to reduce greasy skin, while simultaneously soothing dry, sensitive, and irritated skin.
Jasmine essential oil improves skin elasticity, which helps to reduce the visibility of scars and stretch marks.
[edit] How to Use Jasmine Oil
The benefits of jasmine can be obtained in various different ways, such as:
- Vapor therapy (adding jasmine oil to burners or vaporisers)
- Massaging jasmine oil into the skin
- Adding jasmine oil to a bath or shower
- Drinking jasmine tea
- Using pre-blended aromatherapy products such as jasmine soap, jasmine bath oil, or jasmine shampoos
- Adding the oil to standard soap, bath oil and shampoo to make your own jasmine products
[edit] Jasmine Oil in Aromatherapy
- People around the world continue to benefit from the powers of jasmine oil today.It is a common ingredient in aromatherapy products, and the wonderful scent is just the start of its properties. The benefits of jasmine essential oil include:
- Promotes relaxation
- Reduces stress / anxiety / tension
- Decreases depression while elevating feelings of happiness / contentment
- Boosts feelings of confidence
- Eases difficulty / pain / complications of childbirth
- Helps treat various sexual problems / concerns
- Reduces coughing
- Reduces appearance of scars and stretch marks
- Increases elasticity of skin
- Offers anti-spasmodic benefits
- Provides expectorant support
- May offer sedative effects
- Jasmine blends well with lots of other aromatherapy massage oils, including sweet orange, rosemary, clary sage, rose, and sandal wood
[edit] Some other uses of jasmine
- The scented flowers are used for making perfumes and incense
- The flowers are also flavor Jasmine Tea and other herbal or black tea
- Its oil is also used in creams, shampoos and soaps. It is considered to be a great skin toner and conditioner
- In India Jasmine flowers are stringed together to make garlands
- Women in India wear this flower in their hair. Especially in south India, Jasmine flowers are an integral part of their decoration of hair
- Some communities even use this flower to cover the face of the bridegroom
