Originally from China and Northern India, it was brought to Spain by the
Moors, with France, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, China, Japan and Turkey currently
producing the best essential oil. The name Jasmine is derived from the
Persian word 'yasmin'.
Description of Jasmine essential:
Jasmine is an evergreen, fragile, climbing shrub, that can grow up to 10
meters (33 feet) high and has dark green leaves and small white star-shaped
flowers which are picked at night, when the aroma is most intense. Jasmine
essential oil has a sweet, exotic and richly floral smell.
Appearance : Viscous liquid
Aroma : Warm, Floral, Exotic
Color : Deep brown with a golden tinge
Chemical constituents: Jasmine oil has various chemical
compounds that include Benzyl acetate,inalool, benzyl alcohol, indole,
benzyl benzoate, cis-jasmone, geraniol, methyl anthranilate, p.cresol,
farnesol, cis-3-hexenyl benzoate, eugenol, nerol, ceosol, benzoic acide,
benzaldehyde, terpineol, nerolidol, isophytol and phytol.
Extraction: It is steam distilled from dried and crushed
rhizome and roots.
Aromatherapy uses:
The aromatherapy properties includes anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic,
antiseptic, calmative, sedative, laxative and tonic diuretic, carminative,
stomachic and laxative (excellent when used over time in cases of chronic
constipation).
Pharmaceutical uses:
Jatamansi oil can be effective for tension, stress, migraine, nervous
indigestion and insomnia. It seems to have rejuvenating qualities especially
for the mature skin and can help with allergies, skin inflammations and
rashes. At the Preston clinic, this oil is being used successfully in
intestinal colic and nervous disorders. Jatamansi oil can be employed in the
treatment of epilepsy, hysteria and in many varieties of convulsive
affections. It is used in cases of heart palpitations (even as a substitute
for Valerian). Its antispasmodic characteristics are unsurpassed.
Spikenard blends well with Lavender, Patchouli, Pine, Vetiver and
spice oils.
Incence n perfumery:
It is used extensively in perfumery applications and manufacturing of
incence. Spikenard is used in preparation of incence which has great demand
for religious ceremonies and aesthetic purposes as it smolders. It has been
popularly used for thousands of years within India as an integral part of
Hindu deity worship. Chinese, Korean, and Japanese society used incense as a
time keeping device in the form of incense clocks.It holds an important
usage in Buddhism. It is also used in perfumery of oriental bases, heavy
florals, fougeres, woody bases, animal ambre types etc and in flavors as a
modifier for calamus, valerian, hop, ginger cardamom.
Folklore
Spikenard oil is used in folklore and as herbal medicine for its healing
properties. Its healing properties are widely acclaimed in every continents.
These plants are still widely used in ethnomedicine around the world. The
oil is also used for promoting hair growth and also helps in color
maintenance. The oil is not recommended for food additives.
Jatamansi oil is said to fight insomnia, flatulence, birth
difficulties and other minor ailments.
