Aromas of the Ancient: Jasmine

Welcome to the Topic “Aromas of the Ancient: Jasmine”

Known for its sweet fragrance and delicate white petals, Jasmine has long been used for its aromatic and medicinal properties. Egypt imported many jasmine plants from the eastern provinces during the Roman era. There is evidence that suggests the Persians adopted it. It is claimed that both the jasmine aroma and its recipe were brought from the East. 

Jasmine in the Ancient world

At Deir el-Bahari, a cachette of 21st-Dynasty royal mummies has the lone reference to the scent of Jasmine as published in The Discovery of Nature. The flower was discovered in a shipment of botanical specimens sent to the Natural History Museum of Milan from the United States of America. However, tracing the steps of the floral wreaths from this site that ended up to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo's district of Boulak is difficult. 

In the Philippines, Jasmine came from Central Asia and gained immense popularity. Due to its white, star-shaped blossoms, it became a national sensation. The group greatly appreciated flowering at night, with a bud more fragrant than the flower itself. Jasmine has been the Philippines' national flower since 1934, and it's not hard to see why.

Jasmine- a symbol of femininity, grace, and motherhood

According to the Chinese, Jasmine is a symbol of femininity and grace and a way to bring prosperity and romance into one's life. Whereas, in Thailand, it holds significance as the symbol of maternity. Similarly, it is also used in Hindu religious rites.

Uses

Jasmine as a fragrance

Different types of Jasmine are utilized for various things. For its scent, Jasminum officinale is best recognized. Perfume-making in France has relied on Jasminum grandiflorum (also known as Spanish or Catalonia Jasmine), which has been grown in France for generations.

Aromatherapy

The white blossoms of Jasminum sambac, known as "pikake" in Hawaii, are used to make leis. Essential oil, scented candles, and incense are all forms of Jasmine used in aromatherapy for their calming properties. 

Culinary uses

Jasmine also has culinary purposes and can be used as a garnish and in delicious desserts by culinary experts.

Jasmine tea

Jasmine tea is made by steeping the leaves of Jasminum sambac in boiling water. The Chinese have used Jasmine in their green tea since the 13th century. Chinese herbalists still use Jasmine to cure headaches, sleeplessness, and bone pain.

Medicinal uses

Aroma therapists consider the Jasmine flower an antidepressant and sedative herb that aids weariness, dry or sensitive skin, and depression. Addiction, despair, anxiousness, coughing, relaxation, and tension can all be relieved using Jasmine oil in vapor treatment. Gallstones in Borneo are treated with a boiled infusion of young Jasmine leaf. The cooked root is used to treat diabetes mellitus through infusion.

Massage oil or diluted in the bath can be used for various ailments, from addiction to postnatal depression to muscle pain to coughs to tension and uneasiness. Jasmine oil can be used for practically anything. 

Rejuvenation of skin

Jasmine oil can also reduce stretch marks and scars when applied as a lotion.