Night Blooming Jasmine Essential Oil

Night Blooming Jasmine, Cestrum Nocturnum, a member of the Olive (Oleaceae) family

Part used:  distilled from the flowers of the plant

Active Properties:  salicylic acid, linalool, and other alkaloids which give night blooming Jasmine its bitter, cooling, and astringent actions.

Aroma and appearance:  night blooming Jasmine is a simple and vertical flowering shrub, however is referred to as a vine due to it's vine-like growth.  The plant has small, narrow-like flowers, resembling a trumpet, which opens to the flower's reproductive parts.  The flower opens at night, giving the plant it's name and it's beautiful aroma, which is not detectable during the day.  It is interesting to note that the plant name nocturnum infers the plant is nocturnal, but it should be noted that this plant is not a true jasmine and it's not part of the Jasminum family; rather it is actually classified as part of the Oleaceae (Olive) family.  When in full bloom, the plant produces a beautiful white berry.  Birds will commonly eat the seeds then expel them in different areas, spreading the seeds to areas where the plant may be regarded as a weed. 

Historical uses:  abdominal pain due to severe diarrhea (dysentery), analgesic, antiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, cancer, hepatic (for liver disease like hepatitis and liver pain due to cirrhosis), and sedative.  In Ayurveda, jasmine is used as an aphrodisiac, to treat conjunctivitis, reduce fever and increase immunity.  In traditional Chinese Medicine, jasmine flowers are brewed and consumed as an herbal tea.  Jasmine infusions are used to reduce fevers and for urinary inflammation, relieve stress and anxiety and remedy infections.  In aromatherapy, jasmine is useful in treating depression, in particular postpartum depression.

First Aid:  Jasmine is extremely helpful for people suffering from heat stroke or sunstroke.  It is used as a tincture to treat cuts and scrapes.  A compress using jasmine flowers can be useful for headaches and strokes.  The juice of Jasmine is useful for treating corns and other skin conditions such as sub burns and rashes; for these, lotions work best.  Jasmine can be massaged on the body to relieve aches and pains.

Country of origin:  India

Organic:  YES, wild crafted

Side effects:  Jasmine is LIKELY SAFE for most people in food amounts.  Jasmine may cause allergic reactions.  Because limited information is available for use during pregnancy and nursing, it is best to use jasmine in normal food amounts

Interactions:  NONE