Tag Archives: jasmine

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum/sambac)

Jasmine

“Like the waters of a sweet river, Jasmine penetrates the deepest layers of our soul, opening the doors to our emotions” Susanne Fischer Rizzi

Jasmine has a heady perfume loved by many especially the perfumers of France. She also has a long history of use in India.

Family: Oleaceae

Synonyms: Jasminum officinale, Catalonian jasmine, Spanish jasmine, White jasmine

Aroma: Intensely floral warm sweet and rich with a tea like undertone

Colour: Dark orange but becomes a more reddish brown due to age and oxidization.

Plant: Jasminum grandiflorum is a semi evergreen deciduous vine with masses of fragrant single white flowers that bloom from spring to autumn.

Jasminum sambac is an evergreen shrub that can reach up to 5 feet in height in a pot but when grown in shade is more like a vine.

Main Growing Areas: Jasminum grandiflorum is native to Iran, Kashmir and Afghanistan but is also grown commercially in France, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, Japan and Turkey. Jasminum sambac is native to Southern India

Major Constituents: Benzyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, linalool (higher in j.sambac), benzyl alcohol, cis-jasmone, indole, eugenol, alpha-farnesene (higher in j.sambac) and methyl jasmonate. Unfortunately due to its high cost jasmine is often adulterated with benzyl acetate and benzyl benzoate.

Note: Pure jasmine essential oil is expensive but it is possible to buy her diluted 3 or 5% in jojoba or other carrier oils. I prefer her in jojoba as jojoba being a wax and not an oil does not go rancid over time. This allows you to experience the properties of jasmine without the expense.

Interesting snippets:
It takes 8 million blossoms to produce one kilo of absolute with an experienced picker able to pick between 10,000 and 15,000 blossoms a night.

In India Jasmine is called “queen of the night” or “moonshine in the garden.”

Joy-perfume In India, Jasmine is mixed with sandalwood oil creating an attar of jasmine.

The perfume Joy by Jean Patou has pure jasmine among its ingredients.

Part of Plant used /Extraction: Flower. In the past jasmine essential oil was obtained through enfleurage. Today most jasmine absolute is obtained in a process whereby solvents such as hexane, pentane, petroleum and ether are used to remove the volatile and non-volatile substances from the flowers before being heated to boil off the solvents producing the concrete. Next the concrete is slowly warmed with alcohol to melting point allowing the essential oil, waxes and fixed oils to dissolve in the alcohol which is than cooled, filtered and distilled to remove all the traces of the alcohol resulting in what is called the absolute.

To give the highest yield the process must begin as soon as possible after picking. 1000 kg of jasmine blossoms will produce between 2.6 and 2.8 kg of concrete which will then yield between 1.5 and 1.7 kg of absolute.

Therapeutic actions: Said to help relieve pain and strengthen contractions during the early stages of labour as well as assisting the expulsion of the placenta after delivery. Helpful in relieving the spasms and cramps in painful and delayed periods. Insomnia

Emotional and Spiritual: Mental fatigue, anxiety, restlessness

Valerie Ann Worwood writes that it has been said that jasmine has the ability to call the angelic realms close, and to be able to transmit our soul’s joy and love to the universe, if the intent and purpose is carried from a clear and pure heart.

Susanne Fischer Rizzi writes that jasmine penetrates and diminishes fear, not only lightening your mood but it brings euphoria to darkness. It helps to recapture self-confidence and defeat pessimism.

Robbi Zeck advises that when you are faced with seemingly unresolvable emotional challenges and feeling fearful, that Jasmine will dissolve those fears and build trust. She writes to sit with your fears and concerns, taking breath after breath and wait in the stillness for an answer. Prayer and deep faith will open you to trusting yourself, blessing the present and expecting the best.

Gabriel Mojay writes that whenever fear and vulnerability, or anxiety and depression, cut us from our ability to share physical pleasure and affection, jasmine oil can support, reassure and delight.

Aromatherapy Insight Card:

Jasmine Courtesy of J.Jefferies & K.Osborn

LIVING IN THE NOW WITH PASSION
Stop living in the past and enjoy what life is giving you now. Stay present and regain your raw passion for everything in life. Stop worrying what happened yesterday or what is coming tomorrow, simply be and really enjoy what life is about. Release feelings of depression, fear and vulnerability and move to that place where you trust and feel supported. Live and Do what you really want to do.

Fragrant Change Healing Card: I have a passion for life and living
Contemplations for the Soul:

Jasmine Sambac

Are you feeling stressed, angry, depressed or just plain exhausted mentally and physically?
Are you living your life according to the values of others and wondering who you really are?
Do you lack confidence in your ability to create and bring joy to yourself and others?
It’s time to live, love, create and laugh again on your own terms.
Nurture your passions and yourself.
Reawaken those feelings that have long been forgotten or repressed.
Begin to create the life you want.
Find those who will support you in your creative endeavours and feel the passion and excitement racing through you again.

Safety: Non-irritating, non-sensitizing

Sources: Atterby D, Jasmine Essential Oil Profile. Aromatherapy Today, Vol. 50 (2011)
Bowles E.J, The A-Z of Essential Oils. New Burlington Books (2003)
Fischer-Rizzi S, Complete Aromatherapy Handbook. Essential Oils for Radiant Health Sterling Publishing Company (1990)
Hodges C. Contemplations for the Soul (2016)
Hodges C, Fragrant Change Healing Cards (2015)
Jefferies J, Jasmine Essential Oil Profile. Aromatherapy Today, Vol. 33 (2005)
Jefferies J, Osborn. K, Aromatherapy Insight Cards. Living Energy, Aust. (2nd Ed. 2005)
Mojay G, Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Hodder and Stoughton (1996)
Sydney Essential Oil Company, Harvest: Jasmine Absolute Premium. Oily Winter Edition (2011)
Worwood V.A, The Fragrant Heavens. Doubleday Publishing UK (1999)
Zeck R, The Blossoming Heart. Aroma Tours (2004)

Essential Oils and Crystals for the Heart Chakra

Heart chakra

The heart or 4th chakra is the centre of of love, affection, compassion, acceptance, optimism, joy, generosity, empathy, kindness, trust and forgiveness for yourself and others.

Anxiety When out of balance you may feel depressed, anxious, jealous, lonely, deep sorrow and grief, isolated, bitter and insensitive. You may lack trust, compassion, self-respect and self-love, fear intimate relationships, be unable to forgive yourself or others, have unhealthy relationships where you are unable to love, love too much, lack boundaries or are a people pleaser.

Some questions to consider and perhaps journal about.
Do you always put others first?
Are you able to express your true emotions?
Do you find it difficult to connect with others?
Do you fear intimacy?
Do you believe you are worthy of love and being loved?
How do you show your love to those around you?
Do you find it easy or difficult to forgive others who have hurt you?
What do you love about yourself?
How often do you allow yourself to feel vulnerable?

10 essential oils that can help with heart chakra issues
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) helps release pent up anger and frustration that can lead to depression when you feel unsupported or insecure.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is useful if you have isolated yourself emotionally from others.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) eases feelings of loss particularly of a person and enhances feelings of compassion.

Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) is very calming, centring and grounding, offering support and strength when you need to reconnect with yourself and others.

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) relieves emotional pain and promotes trust and unconditional love.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis) helps to ease frustration and irritability, nurtures you and allows you to forgive yourself for neglecting yourself and others in the past.

Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) eases feelings of agitation, turmoil and stress calming you down and allowing you to explore your emotions and deal with challenging situations calmly.

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) can help if you have a tendency to be clinging, possessive or jealous and find it hard to let go of loved ones. She can also ease feelings of betrayal and allow you to forgive the betrayer and yourself for being betrayed.

Rose (Rosa damascena) restores a sense of security and well-being especially if you have suffered rejection, loss or abuse. She helps you to forgive others as well as yourself and experience more honest and meaningful relationships.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata var. genuina) eases the fear of intimacy, especially if you experienced rejection in the past and calms jealousy by helping you to feel more lovable.

Make your own heart chakra anointing blend
Choose 1-3 essential oils for a total of 3 drops and add to 10 mls of cold pressed vegetable oil.
Anoint the heart area with a few drops of the blend in a heart-shaped movement with your fingertips. Use your intention to open, balance, heal and then close the chakra.

6 Green and pink crystals that may be used to balance the heart chakra.
Amazonite allows you to express your heart and truth through your voice, set boundaries and to overcome your fear of conflict.

Chrysoprase helps you feel and express love as well as releasing attachment to fear based emotions and belief systems. She can also help you heal from abuse.

Green fluorite dissipates emotional trauma, cleanses and heals the heart chakra and ensures that the mind and heart are in agreement.

Kunzite helps open your heart to love in all its forms and encourages you to release your fears and enjoy life.

Rhodochrosite is helpful for healing deep emotional trauma that has left you unable to feel joy or express your creativity.

Rose quartz helps release, worry, fear, anxiety and past emotional trauma.

Essential Oils and Anxiety

Anxiety is a mild form of fear where we react to a perceived threat. Fear is a necessary aspect of our lives as it alerts us to real danger and gives us a sense of self-preservation.

On the other hand anxiety is a reaction to an emotional threat that we don’t want to face such as grief, anger, embarrassment, perceived failure or guilt. Anxiety is our reaction to these emotions we believe will cause us harm and can manifest as a lack of self-confidence, a sense of apprehension or a feeling of insecurity or emotional unease. Some short term anxiety is natural as in the case of exam nerves or going for a job interview. Anxiety is only an issue when it becomes chronic or escalates into an acute state such as panic attacks where there is no real physical danger in most cases.

For many people anxiety is a future-oriented mood state in which they imagine all the negative scenarios and how they will react to them. For many this is a coping mechanism to deal with upcoming difficult situations or events. We don’t usually feel anxious if we are envisioning a positive outcome.

Anxiety may manifest physically as an elevated heart rate, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, upset stomach, diarrhoea, muscle tension, headaches, tiredness and difficulty falling or staying asleep.

STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH ANXIETY
Meditation is a no cost or low cost strategy that allows your body to relax, release the fear and anxiety and repair and heal itself. Meditation can be as simple as going outdoors, taking off your shoes and socks allowing your feet or body to rest on the grass, sand or other natural surface and breathing slowing and deeply for 5 or 10 minutes

Tap into your wise all-knowing self. Sit quietly and ask if this is a situation you really need to worry about or can you trust that all will be fine.

Nourish yourself by eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, maintaining healthy relationships, spending time in nature or the outdoors and doing the things that bring you joy.

Essential oils help you to relax as they go straight to the limbic brain the centre of our basic emotions and calm it down. They ground and calm you bringing you back to your body. You can try meditating with essential oils, vaporising them, using them in the bath or as a spray mist in your aura or on your physical body.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ANXIETY
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) deepens and slows the breath calming and centring the mind. She is particularly useful when the mind is overwhelmed by thoughts of what can go wrong. Frankincense will help you to access your wise all- knowing self allowing insight into your anxiety.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a balancing oil useful for anxiety and panic attacks. Overachievers and perfectionists who worry about the outcome or not being good enough can benefit from this oil.

Jasmine flowers

Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis) calms the nerves, releases tension and uplifts the mind. Jasmine can be of particular benefit when anxiety alternates with depression.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis/angustifolia/vera) is an oil that is readily available and is known as an aromatic “Rescue Remedy”. She eases nervous tension and can help ally feelings of panic as well as calm any strong emotions that threaten to overwhelm the mind.

Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) calms the mind when thoughts are going round and round in circles. She offers a sense of self nurturing especially when you are thinking that nobody cares.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara) reminds us that we always have a choice. She helps us to face painful emotions such as guilt, shame, hurt and anger and to find peace of mind once we have done so.

Rose (Rosa damascena) can assist those who suffer from deep anxiety caused by insecurity and a fear of losing control. Rose helps to heal deep emotional wounding and despair.

Essential Oils For Valentine’s Day

Essential oils for Valentine's day header

February 14th is Valentine’s Day when many couples plan some special time together and may even give gifts to each other to express their love. Whether you do or don’t have someone special to share the day with remember to send some love to the most important person in your life – you.

Here are some oils you might like to try for that special Valentine’s evening. All except elemi, lavender and neroli have been said to have aphrodisiac properties.

Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) is very calming, centring and grounding, offering support and strength when you need to reconnect with yourself and others.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) brings balance to all areas of your life.

Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis) harmonises your sensual self with your emotional self allowing passion to flow.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is nurturing

Neroli (Citrus aurantium var.amara) is both sensual and spiritual. She is helpful if you are feeling tired and stressed.

Rose (Rosa damascena) is the oil for unconditional love.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) helps to reunite your sensual and emotional self. Eases the fear of intimacy, especially if you experienced rejection in the past and calms jealousy by helping you to feel more lovable. Strong perfume so you don’t need much.

You can either vaporize 4-6 drops of one or a combination of oils in a diffuser or add up to 10 drops of one or a combination of oils to 20 mls of vegetable oil to make a relaxing massage oil with aphrodisiac properties.

Not Just A Pretty Smell - Explore new Ways of Using Essential Oils