# Plant Monograph: Jasmine
**Name of plant:**
Jasmine
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
No traditional Carmina Gadelica invocation is specifically associated with Jasmine. Across Asia and the Middle East, jasmine has long symbolized purity, love, beauty, and spiritual devotion.
**Family:**
Oleaceae (Olive Family)
**Genus and species:**
*Jasminum officinale*
(Other medicinally used species include *Jasminum sambac* and *Jasminum grandiflorum*.)
**Other names:**
* Common Jasmine
* Poet's Jasmine
* White Jasmine
* Summer Jasmine
* Jessamine
* Royal Jasmine
* Arabian Jasmine (*J. sambac*)
* Chameli (Hindi)
**Brief introduction:**
Jasmine is a fragrant flowering vine or shrub native to parts of Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean region. Its intensely aromatic blossoms have been prized for centuries in perfumery, religious ceremonies, teas, and traditional medicine. While best known for its flowers, various parts of the plant have been used traditionally for calming the mind, supporting skin health, and promoting relaxation.
**Traditional uses:**
* Relaxation and emotional calming
* Perfuming teas and beverages
* Support during stress and anxiety
* Traditional skin applications
* Sacred and ceremonial offerings
**Historical use:**
* Used in Ayurvedic medicine for emotional balance
* Employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine
* Offered in religious ceremonies and temples
* Used in perfumes throughout the Middle East and Europe
* Incorporated into traditional wedding garlands and celebrations
**Parts used and method of use:**
* Flowers
* Leaves (less commonly)
Used as:
* Infusion (tea)
* Essential oil
* Floral water
* Topical preparations
**Use in healing (modern herbal practice):**
* Aromatherapy for stress reduction
* Mild mood-supportive herb
* Topical support for minor skin irritation
* Relaxing bedtime tea ingredient
* Supportive care for emotional tension
**Pharmacology and biochemistry:**
* Benzyl acetate
* Linalool
* Jasmonates
**Mechanisms:**
* Aromatic compounds influence the limbic system
* Mild calming effects on the nervous system
* Antioxidant activity from plant constituents
**Overall profile:**
Jasmine is primarily valued as a calming aromatic herb with traditional uses for emotional well-being, relaxation, and skin care. Its greatest medicinal value lies in aromatherapy and supportive wellness applications.
**Common dosage:**
* Tea: 1–2 teaspoons dried flowers per cup, 1–3 times daily
* Tincture: 2–4 mL up to 3 times daily
* Essential oil: Diluted to 1–3% for topical use
* Aromatherapy: Several drops in a diffuser as needed
**Safety factors (including side effects):**
* Generally considered safe when used appropriately
* Essential oil may cause skin irritation if undiluted
* Rare allergic reactions may occur
* Internal use of concentrated essential oil is not recommended
* Limited safety data during pregnancy for concentrated extracts
**First aid / adverse reaction response:**
* Skin irritation: Wash area and discontinue use
* Allergic reaction: Stop use and seek medical attention if severe
* Eye exposure to essential oil: Flush thoroughly with water
* Nausea from excessive use: Discontinue and hydrate
**Drug interactions:**
* No major clinically established interactions known
* May theoretically enhance effects of sedative herbs
* Use caution with concentrated essential oils alongside topical medications
* General interaction considerations are minimal
**Horticultural requirements:**
* USDA / Canadian zone: 7–10 (species dependent)
* Soil pH: 6.0–7.5
* Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
* Moisture: Moderate, well-drained soil
**Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):**
* Twining vine or shrub depending on species
* Produces highly fragrant white flowers
* Flowers harvested during peak bloom
* Native to warm temperate and tropical regions
* Propagated by cuttings, layering, or seed
**Sampling of clinical reports / studies:**
* Clinical aromatherapy studies suggest benefits for relaxation and mood support
* Pharmacological research demonstrates antioxidant and antimicrobial properties
* Phytochemical studies identify numerous volatile aromatic compounds
* Extensive ethnobotanical evidence exists across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe
* Overall assessment of evidence: Strong traditional support and moderate modern evidence exist for aromatherapy, relaxation, and wellness applications, while evidence for broader medicinal claims remains limited.
**Note:** If your source list intended **Jamaican Dogwood Bark (*Piscidia piscipula*)**, that is a completely different medicinal plant from Jasmine and should be catalogued separately.
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.