The jasmine essential oil or absolute is produced by collecting thousands of blossoms overnight, when the aroma of the flower is at its most intense. It is said that, it takes 8000 jasmine sambac blossoms to create a single millimeter of oil. A concrete is first made from the jasmine flowers by solvent extraction, from which an absolute is obtained, by separation with alcohol. The essential oil is then produced from the absolute by steam distillation. Absolutes are even more concentrated than essential oils, and their shelf-life is much longer than the essential oil.
Jasmine oil, is one of the the most expensive and exotic oils used in today’s perfumery. Jasmine is considered to be the “King of Oils” as it is the the most masculine of all the floral oils. The colour of Jasmine oil is light or dark amber. It blends with many oils, but to maintain its fragrance, it is best used alone or with a mild oil. It is said to blend particularly well with sandalwood and citrus oils.
Health Benefits of Jasmine Oil
Jasmine oil is beneficial in treating many health problems. It is a powerful antiseptic, sedative and tonic. It is also possesses anti bacterial, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. The antibacterial properties of Jasmine sambac essential oil, helps in combating bacteria and other harmful microbes causing infectious diseases. A 2008 study on ‘Antibacterial potential assessment of Jasmine essential oil against E.Coli’ confirmed that jasmine oil contains antibacterial activity.
1. Jasmine oil benefits for the skin
Jasmine oil is very beneficial for the skin because of its soothing, moisturizing and healing properties. It is very rich in antioxidants which fight against the free radicals and help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Jasmine oil helps to alleviate dry skin and is very good for sensitive skin. It also helps improve stretch marks and minimizes the appearance of scars.
- Add 2 drops of jasmine oil to your regular cream or lotion and massage it gently on your body to treat dry skin, and for getting rid of scars.
- To remove excess oil and blemishes from the skin, add a drop of Jasmine oil to hot water and steam regularly.
It is useful to treat skin infections and dermatitis. A study on the antifungal activity of Jasminum sambac against Malassezia sp and non-malassezia sp isolated from human skin samples, concluded that, “J. sambac may be used as an alternative treatment against Malassezia-associated skin infections.”
- For skin infections, take a few drops of Jasmine oil and mix it with almond or coconut oil. Apply this mixture on the affected area twice a day to get relief.
2. Jasmine oil for hair health
Jasmine is beneficial for hair as it has moisturizing properties. It improves the texture of the hair by making it smooth and silky. By massaging jasmine oil on the scalp we can increase the blood circulation to the scalp. In Ayurveda, Jasmine is considered beneficial for the hair because of its oily property. It helps to keep the scalp moisturized and helps prevent itching due to dryness or dandruff. It may also reduce the hair fall and strengthen the hair.
- Take a few drops of jasmine essential oil and mix it with olive or almond oil. Apply this to wet hair to promote healthy hair and prevent dry hair.
3. Jasmine oil for anxiety and to calm the mind
At the psychological and emotional level, the sedative property of the jasmine oil is said to soothe and calm the mind and body. It is also considered a strong aphrodisiac. Jasmine oil increases alertness and improves the mood. Constituents in Jasmine have anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, which helps to reduce anxiety. Inhaling Jasmine essential oil helps to lower the brain activity and calms down the brain. It also has sedative properties which induce good sleep
- Jasmine oil is considered a great anti-depressant. Adding two drops of the oil in warm bathing water, or to a massage oil, helps to inspire positive thoughts, strengthen the mind and boost your confidence.
- To control negativity and depressed emotions, inhale the aroma of Jasmine sambac essential oil. It helps to pacify the senses.
- For treating tension, fatigue, anxiety, and postnatal depression, add 2 drops of jasmine oil to a vaporizer or diffuser to inhale.
4. Helps reduce pain
It is anti-inflammatory in nature and is recommended for any kind of physical pain. ‘Preliminary Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton in Experimental Animal Models’ have proved that Jasminum sambac extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive (reducing sensitivity to painful stimuli) properties that are helpful in treating muscular aches, rheumatism, back pain, headache and inflammation.
- Jasmine oil gives relief from poisonous stings. Just apply the oil on the affected area.
- Jasmine oil is a natural remedy for relief from pain or inflammation. Mix 2 drops of jasmine oil with 1 ml of olive oil/sesame oil/coconut oil and apply gently on the inflamed area. You can also add 2 drops of jasmine oil to warm bathing water, or to a hot compress.
Jasmine Oil for Good Sleep
Inhaling Jasmine can help reduce the heart rate and bring on feelings of calm and relaxation. This works even better if combined with lavender essential oil. It can improve nerve activity and uplift the mood, thus helping you to sleep more easily. The sedative compounds present in Jasmine oil can help to regulate irregular sleep patterns.
- Just add a few drops to an essential oil burner in your room, this will fill the room with its floral aroma and help you fall asleep and awaken feeling truly rested.
Side Effects of Jasmine oil
- Jasmine essential oil might cause contact dermatitis in some people. So, it is advisable to perform a patch test before using Jasmine essential oil.
- Pregnant and breast feeding women should consult the doctor before using jasmine essential oil.
References
- https://books.google.co.in/books? d=KTaCJg1nVJ0C&pg=PA27&dq=jasmine+oil+for+hair,+benefits&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi8nMaG-cDlAhWJXSsKHb_7AHMQ6AEINjAC#v=onepage&q=jasmine%20oil%20for%20hair%2C%20benefits&f=false
- https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Neal_s_Yard_Remedies_Natural_Beauty/gkK3BQAAQBAJ?q=jasminum+officinale%2B+skin&gbpv=1#f=false
- .https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232048280_Effects_ofJasminum_officinale_Flowers_on_the_Central_Nervous_System_of_the_Mous