Aromatherapy: Jasmine

This month's aromatherapy post is about jasmine.  Jasmine is a climbing plant with small white, aromatic flowers.  It is primarily found in tropical or sub-tropical climates.  Jasmine oil has a warm, flowery, sweet scent.  It is used in a variety of beauty products, but it has many health benefits you may not be aware of.  Jasmine is actually particularly beneficial for women as it helps during menses, childbirth, and the postpartum period, and helps promote breast and uterine health.

It is also important to note that jasmine should not be used while pregnant.  It is however, useful for augmenting labor.  

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Breast Health
The use of jasmine oil can actually help to promote breast health and may help to prevent breast tumors.  Jasmine is also what is known as a galactagogue.  This means that it can help to increase milk production in lactating mothers.  To help increase lactation and promote breast health, try drinking jasmine tea or diffusing the oil in your home.

Labor Aid
Jasmine may be used to help strengthen contractions and ease pain during labor and childbirth.  In fact, I included jasmine in my induction massage oil blend for clients who come in trying to encourage their labor to start or progress.  You can also diffuse jasmine oil in the labor room to help alleviate labor pains and keep the mood light and elevated.

Uterine Health
I mentioned above that jasmine helps to strengthen contractions during labor.  It also helps to tone the uterus and balance your hormones for good uterine health.  Use of jasmine oil is also said to help prevent tumors in the uterus.  Jasmine is also said to help push back or postpone menopause to a certain extent, however nothing can prevent menopause.

Period Relief
Jasmine is great for girls and women who experience irregular or painful periods.  It can also help to regulate menstruation for women who have irregular periods.  Using jasmine also helps to alleviate symptoms such as irritability, cramping, fatigue, and nausea.  Try drinking the tea, diffusing the oil, or adding jasmine oil to a base and massaging it onto your lower back and abdomen to help with period relief.

Maintain Healthy Weight
Drinking jasmine tea is said to help boost the function of your metabolism which in turn can help you to maintain a healthy weight.

Sexual Health
Jasmine has been used for generations as an aphrodisiac for both men and women.  The scent of jasmine can actually promote feelings of love and attachment by stimulating the release of hormones.  Jasmine has also been used to treat a variety of sexual disorders such as low sex drive, impotence, premature ejaculation, and more.  To help with sexual health, try diffusing the oil, burning jasmine candles, or using a base oil with jasmine essential oil for massage.

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Bath and Body

Clear Skin
Jasmine is found in many bath and body products because of its ability to clear skin and fade the appearance of scars and blemishes.  It has anti-septic, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties which help to clear your skin of toxins.  It should however, not be used to clean open wounds as it can cause irritation or other negative reactions.  

Hydrate
Jasmine can help to hydrate and soften your skin.  Try adding it to your favorite unscented lotions and creams to help treat dry skin, eczema, or dermatitis.

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Health and Wellness

Sleep
Jasmine is a great oil for insomniacs because it helps you to calm your mind, breath better, and get to sleep more easily.  Because it helps to clear your respiratory tract, it can also help to prevent snoring.  Try diffusing it in your bedroom, rubbing a drop of it on your neck, or drinking jasmine tea before bed.

Coughs
If you are having trouble with a cough, try using jasmine.  It is an expectorant, so it helps to clear out congestion and phlegm.  You can ingest jasmine in a tea, or inhale the scent of the oil to help with a cough.  You can also add jasmine essential oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam.

Anti-depressant
Jasmine is very uplifting and is often used as an anti-depressant.  The smell of jasmine actually triggers a release of hormones that can help you to feel happier.  It helps to elevate mood, decrease anxiety and nervousness, lower stress levels, and encourage optimism and self-confidence.  Jasmine is great for women who are experiencing or worried about experiencing postpartum depression.  To help elevate your mood, try diffusing jasmine oil in your home or drinking jasmine tea.

Conclusion

Jasmine is more than just a pretty smelling flower.  It has many practical uses and can be a great addition to your essential oil collection at home.  Jasmine is particularly useful for women.  Do you have a favorite recipe or use for jasmine?  Leave your suggestions in the comments!