Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine (Jasminum) is a fragrant, flowering shrub of the Oleaceae (olive) family. With approximately 225-450 species within the Oleaceae plant family, there are several varieties of jasmine including Spanish jasmine (J. grandiflorum) and common jasmine (J. officinale). With either white or yellow flowers, jasmine’s fragrance is often used in perfumes and considered to be exotic and romantic.1
Unlike most essential oils, jasmine cannot be extracted through steam distillation, as this process destroys many of its beneficial, chemical compounds.2 Jasmine essential oil is considered an absolute, or a product of a solvent extraction, which leaves behind the pure essential oil.3 With a long-lasting, intensely-floral aroma, jasmine essential oil will range from light orange to reddish-brown hue.2
Jasmine was traditionally used in Ayurveda medicine as an herbal remedy for ulcers, tooth pain, skin diseases, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) and leprosy.2 With over 200 chemicals identified in jasmine essential oil, preliminary research is beginning to discover its therapeutic benefits.2
Jasmine Essential Oil Uses
Jasmine essential oil is often diffused in the home for its fragrance, and is also combined with other lotions, massage oil and body scrubs. Below are some common uses for jasmine essential oil.
Jasmine Essential Oil Aromatherapy
With an intense floral aroma, jasmine essential oil has been said to have a revitalizing effect. For aromatherapy, add 2-4 drops into a diffuser filled with water. Let the aroma fill the room for up to 30 minutes. Jasmine essential oil is often used in aromatherapy to help relieve headaches, stress, coughs and colds.3
Want to learn more about essential oils? Get our FREE Video Series here
Jasmine Massage Oil Recipe
For a fragrant and floral massage, add 1-2 drops of jasmine essential oil to 1 Tbsp. of grape seed oil, coconut oil or jojoba oil. Massage over the skin until completely absorbed.
Jasmine Essential Oil Uses: Invigorating Bath
For a revitalizing bath, add 10 drops of jasmine essential oil to warm, running water. Jasmine essential oil blends well with clary sage, rose or orange essential oil. If combining oils, add 5 drops each.
To help moisturize skin, add 1 cup of Epsom salt or 1 cup of whole milk.
Jasmine Essential Oil Moisturizing Skincare Recipe
Jasmine is a popular ingredient in commercial cosmetics due to its pleasant aroma. But in recent years, jasmine essential oil has been shown to have both antibacterial and antioxidant activity, which may help promote blemish-free skin.
Add 2 drops of jasmine essential oil to 1 Tbsp. of carrier oil, or scent-free moisturizer. Apply the blended mixture to your face and neck.
Natural Jasmine Essential Oil Perfume
As one of the most sought out aromas in commercial perfumes, create your own natural perfume with jasmine essential oil. In a dark glass bottle add 2 Tbsp. of carrier oil, 2-4 Tbsp. of vodka and a total of 30-40 drops of essential oil. Shake together for 2-5 minutes. After 48 hours, add 2 Tbsp. of distilled water. Shake again for the final product. Choose to create one distinct smell, or customize with other essential oils for a personalized perfume.
For a quick natural perfume, apply 3 drops of jasmine essential oil to 1 tsp. of carrier oil. Mix together and apply to pulse points such as the inner side of each wrist, neck, or behind the knees.
Natural Jasmine Essential Oil Hair Mask
For a chemical-free hair mask, combine 6 drops of jasmine essential oil with 3 Tbsp. of coconut oil. After shampooing hair, add the mixture to palms and apply to your scalp and throughout your hair. Let the mixture sit for 1-2 hours, then rinse out. Both jasmine and coconut oil will help moisturize the hair, and help reduce dry skin and dandruff. You can also learn more about other essential oils and hair.
Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine essential oil is best-known for its alluring aroma, but recently scientists have discovered several beneficial properties in this floral essential oil. From antioxidant to anti-stress, we share the latest benefits of jasmine essential oil. The benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil are:
- Antioxidant Benefits
- Fatigue Reducing Benefits
- Antibacterial Benefits
- Anxiety Reducing Properties
Antioxidant Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil
In study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 13 essential oils were tested for their antioxidant activity using three different testing methods. It was noted that jasmine, rose, parsley seed and ylang-ylang all inhibited hexanal oxidation by nearly 100% over a 40-day period. 4 Hexanal is a marker of fat oxidation, which can cause food spoilage.
In a second test, jasmine essential oil demonstrated the greatest free radical scavenging ability of all 13 essential oils, with a 90% effect.4 Scientists note that this antioxidant activity could prove useful in topical creams to help prevent oxidative damage. While this data is promising, both tests were conducted in isolated, laboratory settings and require further research.
Decrease Fatigue with Jasmine Essential Oil
In a 2010 study, jasmine essential oil was used in an aromatherapy massage to measure its influence on mood. 40 volunteers had either jasmine essential oil or a placebo applied topically to their abdomens.5
Read More: Essential Oils for increasing Energy and Motivation
Patients in the experiment group were reported to have increased blood pressure, breathing rate and blood oxygen saturation. Further, the individuals self-reported themselves as more alert and energetic when compared to the control group. Jasmine essential oil was concluded to have stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which may decrease perceived fatigue and improve user mood.5
Antibacterial Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil
In a 2008 study, researchers investigated the antibacterial activity of jasmine essential oil against the common pathogen, E. Coli. While the strain was resistant to both penicillin and ampicillin, jasmine essential oil was able to significantly inhibit E. Coli growth.6
In a separate study, essential oil extracted from ‘Day Jasmine’ also demonstrated an antimicrobial effect against gram positive strains such as Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus.7
B. subtilis is a pathogen that can cause food poisoning in humans, whereas S. aureus has been associated with bone infections, heart valve infections and pneumonia.8,9 In recent years, some strains of S. aureus have become drug-resistant, urging scientists to look for natural alternatives.9
Anxiety Reducing Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil
In 1998, scientists conducted a 19-month study which explored the use of aromatherapy massage in combatting hospital anxiety and depression (HADS). The study focused on patients who had been diagnosed with cancer (predominantly breast cancer), and who were experiencing anxiety or depression because of radiation treatment.10
Read More: Essential Oils to Calm Anxiety
As a complementary therapy, patients received a total of 6 massages each roughly one week apart. Aromatherapists used unique combinations of 21 possible essential oils, which could be customized to match the patient’s condition. Lavender, jasmine, chamomile, geranium, juniper, bergamot and rose essential oils were used most frequently. At the end of the trial, more than 50% of patients saw significant improvement across eight symptoms of HADS, including tension, stress and anxiety.10
Side Effects of Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine essential oil is generally regarded as safe for inhalation and diluted, topical use. Jasmine essential oil should never be applied directly to the skin or ingested, as it can be harmful if swallowed.
For use on children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, consult with a health care professional prior to use.
Where to Buy Jasmine Essential Oil
Previously, high quality essential oils could only be bought at specialty health stores, or through expensive multi-level marketing companies. Now, due to advancements in technology, extremely high grade essential oils can be purchased over the internet at very reasonable prices.
Scientific Research Referenced in this Article
- The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2011, January 28). Jasmine. Retrieved March 20, 2017 from https://www.britannica.com/plant/jasmine-plant – View reference
- de Groot, A. C., & Schmidt, E. (2017). Essential oils, part VI: Sandalwood oil, ylang-ylang oil, and jasmine absolute. Dermatitis, 28(1), 14-21. doi:1097/DER.0000000000000241
- Health Canada. (2017, January 10). Aromatherapy – Essential Oils. Retrieved March 20, 2017 from http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=aromatherap&lang=eng
- Wei, A., & Shibamoto, T. (2007). Antioxidant activities and volatile constituents of various essential oils. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55(5), 1737-1742. doi:1021/jf062959x
- Hongratanaworakit, T. (2010). Stimulating effect of aromatherapy massage with jasmine oil. Natural Product Communications, 5(1):157-162. Retrieved March 20, 2017 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20184043
- Rath, C. C., Devi, S., Dash, S. K., & Mishra, R. K. (2008). Antibacterial potential assessment of jasmine essential oil against e. coli. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 70(2), 238-241. doi:4103/0250-474X.41465
- Bhattacharjee, I., Ghosh, A., & Chandra, G. (2005). Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of cestrum diurnum (L.) (solanales: Solanaceae). African Journal of Biotechnology, 4(4), 371. doi:5897/AJB2005.000-3069
- Bacillus subtilis. (n.d.) Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary. (2012). Retrieved March 20 2017 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Bacillus+subtilis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, January 17). Staphylococcus aureus in Healthcare Settings. Retrieved March 20, 2017 from https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/staph.html
- Kite, S. M., Maher, E. J., Anderson, K., Young, T., Young, J., Wood, J., … Bradburn, J. (1998). Development of an aromatherapy service at a Cancer Centre. Palliative Medicine, 12(3), 171-180. doi:1191/026921698671135743
I started my journey with essential oils about 2 years ago after the birth of my first child. To say that they changed my life forever would be an understatement. I have created a book called "The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Essential Oils" that will teach you about some of the amazing benefits and uses that essential oils can provide in your home. Click here to get the FREE book.