The Versatility of Jasmine Essential Oils

Jasmine essential oil is a popular name in the field of aromatherapy given its wide range of application and uses. One reason for this is the versatility of the oil, wherein its therapeutic properties is rich enough to address a wide range of health problems. If you to get a deeper look into what makes up jasmine essential oil and what properties that make healing possible, find out further below.

Jasmine oil is not only popular today in its application in aromatherapy. It has enjoyed a long history of natural medicinal application and is recognized in ancient times as a powerful oil that can naturally cure common illnesses. The flowers of the jasmine are what is used as the botanical source for the oil that has a powerful fragrance. It is commonly harvested during the night when experts believe is when the scent of the plant is most intense. The plant itself is native to North India and China, but it wasn't long until other countries discovered the wonderful healing properties of the oil and started using it for natural medicine as well. Nowadays, you can find jasmine oil being used basically everywhere such as Italy, Spain, Turkey, France, Japan, Morocco, and Egypt, to name a few.

But before jasmine oil became popular as an aromatherapy oil, it was already widely used in some parts of India, China, and Arabia for various rituals, religious ceremonies, alongside medicine. The fragrance produced from the flower of the jasmine plant is quite potent such that inhaling it can improve your mood and uplift one's spirit. Thus, many prefer using jasmine oil during massage for relief from physical, mental, and emotional stress. This particular property of the oil is the most basic source for healing in most of its aromatherapy application today.

There are two known methods used for extracting jasmine essential oil: solvent extraction and enfleurage method. It begins with harvesting the flowers off the jasmine plant and it is best done during the night since you are more likely to produce potent smelling essential oil from the botanical material.

In solvent extraction, an absolute is produced instead of the actual essential oil. You will also need a solvent or fats, but in most cases a solvent known as hexane is popularly used. The same process takes place with the enfleurage method, wherein the botanical source is mixed with the fats or solvent. Then, the mixture is kept in a tightly sealed container and stored away for several days or weeks. After that, the container is taken out along with the mixture and the wilted flowers are replaced with fresh ones.

The idea behind this method of essential oil extraction is to allow the fragrances from the botanical source to transfer onto the fats or solvent. It will now contain the scents and healing essences of your botanical source that is later used for a wide range of aromatherapy applications.

Medicinal Properties of Jasmine Oil

The therapeutic or medicinal properties found in jasmine essential oil is responsible for the healing effect it creates when applied during aromatherapy. The scent produced from this oil is mild and sweet, which explains why it is popular choice in the perfumery industry. However, these essences are useful only outside of the cosmetic and industrial industry, but also in the field of alternative medicine.

Jasmine oil is rich in therapeutic properties that act on the affected area of the body and produce the healing results without harming one's health from exposure to harmful chemicals and other synthetic ingredients. Among the recognized properties found in jasmine oil are antidepressant, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, carminative, tonic, and aphrodisiac qualities, among others.

Since jasmine oil was used in aromatherapy, the number of conditions it has been able to treat continues to expand. In fact, aromatherapists continue their analysis of the components in the oil in the hopes of discovering other properties that might be utilized for treating various types of illnesses. Among the conditions that jasmine oil has been proven to treat effectively includes the following:

*Male Conditions

• impotence
• premature ejaculation

*Female Conditions

• stretch marks
• menstrual cramps or pain
• labor pains

*General Illnesses or Conditions

• muscle pain
• muscle spasm
• coughs
• laryngitis
• scars
• skin disorders
• sprain
• chest infection
• insomnia
• joint problems
• rheumatism
• headaches

Several people prefer the sweet and exotic scent produced by jasmine essential oil. But that same scent offer more than just a natural source of fragrance since its antidepressant and stimulant properties is actually considered to be an active ingredient that fights symptoms of stress and depression.

You can add a few drops of the essential oil into an aromatherapy diffuser, inhalation, burner, or incense to allow the essences of the oil to fill your room with the scent or to directly inhale it. It will create an immediate effect on your physical and mental well being such that your mood is uplifted. Among those who used this same method with jasmine oil report of enjoying a sense of calmness and peace due to the soothing properties of the oil. But this effect is not just external. It goes deep within to create a balancing effect on your hormones such that you feel more relaxed within.

Despite the fact that jasmine oil is safe to use given its all-natural method of extraction, you must be aware that there are certain contraindications that you need to be aware of. You need to take note of the following precautionary measures:

*Avoid using jasmine oil on pregnant women.
*Always use carrier oil to dilute jasmine oil before applying it directly on the skin to avoid irritation or other forms of sensitivities.
*Always follow instructions on the proper method of application for jasmine oil to ensure that you get the most effective results.
*Avoid using synthetic or adulterated versions of jasmine oil. This is a common mistake committed by most aromatherapy users, wherein they opt for the cheaper versions given that therapeutic grade jasmine essential oils are quite expensive.