Jasmine - Jasminum officinale

Common Names: Jasmine, Poet's Jasmine, White Jasmine, Jessamine, Summer Jasmine, True Jasmine, Jasminum officinale, Jasminum, Common Jasmine

Latin Name: Jasminum officinale

Origin: Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, North America

Short Introduction

To achieve the optimal fragrance of jasmine flowers, it is best to grow the plant in a warm, sunny location with some partial shelter, though it can also adapt to partial shade and cooler conditions if the soil is moderately moist and well-drained. In summer, jasmine requires regular watering and fertilizing. Jasmine thrives in clay, sandy, and humus-rich soils. The soil pH can be mildly acidic, alkaline, or neutral. During the summer, regular temperatures suffice; in winter, jasmine prefers around 8-10°C, but not below 6°C.

Propagation is done in summer via layering of woody or stem cuttings. Jasmine can be transplanted in March; young plants should be repotted every year, older ones every two or three years. Jasmine does very well on east-facing windows. It is now cultivated at high altitudes, with the most significant growing area being China's Fujian province, as well as Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Vietnam as another major producer.

Detailed Description

A classic ingredient in perfumes and teas, jasmine infuses them with its fresh, appealing aroma.

Botanical Information

Jasmine is a lively, fast-growing, twining deciduous vine or shrub with pointed, sharp leaves and star-shaped clusters of white or pink flowers, which emerge from buds during the summer. The flowers are highly aromatic. Jasmine blooms in spring or early summer, and its fruit is a black berry.

Origin and Distribution

Jasmine is native to the Caucasus or certain parts of Central Asia, including northern Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, India, Nepal, and western China. In China, jasmine tea enjoys great popularity. Jasmine may have originated in historic Persia, but it is a fact that jasmine is the national plant of Pakistan. The Chinese name for jasmine is influenced by Persian and Arabic dialects. Jasmine is used to flavor all kinds of teas—white, black, oolong, and green teas—all celebrated for their exquisite, sweet taste and pleasant floral aroma.

Jasmine was introduced to European gardens through the Arab-Norman culture of Sicily, a historical crossroads of cultures. Around the mid-14th century, jasmine appears several times in Boccaccio's Decameron. Over time, jasmine use spread to Switzerland, where it became so widely used in perfume making that visitors believed it grew wild in nature there. Today, jasmine has become naturalized in France, Italy, Romania, the Balkans, western India, Algeria, Florida, and the southern United States coast.

Usage / Dosage

The essential oils in jasmine are widely used in aromatherapy for their gentle, calming fragrance. The concentrated essence is fittingly called the “king of oils” due to its potent yet subtle aroma that is beloved by many. The blooms release their scent at dusk, so they are typically harvested in the evening, and a small amount of oil is extracted in solution. Pure jasmine extract is usually of high quality, but can be quite expensive, though lower-concentration oils are also available for more affordable products.

In aromatherapy and folk medicine, jasmine preparations and aromatic oils are used to address depression, restlessness, muscle stiffness, cramps, headaches, and stress, as well as certain respiratory problems or sore throats. Western medicine offers a few medicinal syrups with jasmine ingredients for cough, though such formulations are marketed only in a couple of countries and their registration may not be renewed. Aqueous extracts, decoctions, and infusions are also recommended as aphrodisiacs and for mild sexual difficulties. Aromatherapy regards jasmine as a remedy for boosting feelings of love, improving mood, increasing self-confidence, and stimulating the senses. In southern China, capsules of jasmine flower extract are used to address hepatitis and similar liver infections and conditions.

Topically, jasmine essential oil is traditionally advised for skin hypersensitivity and swelling. In traditional herbal medicine, jasmine is widely used for skin conditions. Healers praise jasmine in dermatology for its antiseptic and mild anti-inflammatory effects, likely due to its high concentration of antioxidant catechins. Jasmine tea can also contain various levels of antioxidants depending on the chosen tea type. Both black and green teas with jasmine are rich in catechins, known for their ability to scavenge free radicals and other reactive substances.

Several laboratory in vitro studies have described the antiviral potential of highly concentrated jasmine extracts against specific strains of opportunistic viruses. While more research is needed, initial findings support the use of jasmine tea against mild hepatitis and inflammations of the pharynx or nasopharynx. Another notable study tested an aqueous solution of fresh jasmine buds for effects on fertility in female rats, showing a modest reduction in serum progesterone levels.

Various sources report that the antioxidants in jasmine, combined with regular exercise and diet, positively influence fat burning, weight loss, and immune system support. Folk medicine relies on jasmine’s anti-inflammatory compounds, which may help reduce swelling and limit unwanted tissue oxygenation, potentially benefiting arthritis and joint pain.

Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends jasmine extracts for supporting healthy digestion, maintaining a healthy stomach environment, and in preventing gastrointestinal cancers through the activation of intracellular enzymes and antioxidants, which are believed to have synergistic and potentiating effects. Jasmine is also used as an adjunct to medicines for better diabetes regulation. Folk treatment uses jasmine as a mild antibiotic, weight-loss aid, and for its potential support in combating cancer or diabetes. While diabetes is a serious condition, jasmine shows promise as a complementary therapy when used alongside conventional medications.

Active Compounds

The most significant active compounds in jasmine are polyphenolic catechins, which have antioxidant properties. Studies on the composition of essential oils in jasmine differ in detail, listing between 85 and 115 components, with the main chemicals including benzyl acetate, citronellol, linalool, benzyl alcohol, geraniol, geranial, cis-jasmone, methyl anthranilate, indole derivatives, and in smaller amounts, cresols, farnesol, hexenyl benzoate, eugenol, isohytol, phytol, nerol, nerolidol, ceosol, benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, and terpineol.

Traditional Dosage

The traditional ratio for making jasmine tea is 1 part dried herb to 50 parts water, or infuse 1-3 teaspoons of dried flowers in about 300–500 ml of water not exceeding 100°C. If brewing jasmine green tea blends, the preferred water temperature is 75–80°C. Some tea guides advise pouring water to fill one-third of a vessel, then refilling 2–3 more times, steeping according to taste for 1–3 minutes. After straining, it is recommended to savor the aroma before drinking for a more enjoyable tasting experience.