Scents & Sensibility Newsletter - Volume II - Issue 2 - January 25, 2001

Scents of Amour

Valentine's Day, that day when randy young men and amorous young women openly declare their affections, is approaching and so the topic of these next few newsletters will be those essences most affiliated with affairs of the heart. Rose, sandalwood, neroli, ylang ylang, and jasmine all fit well into this category. For no particular reason whatsoever, this issue will feature the exotically floral, intoxicating and enduring, jasmine (jasminum officinale).

Jasmine the Aphrodisiac

Jasmine, in its role as an aphrodisiac can increase spermatozoa and aid with both impotence and frigidity. Jasmine has the psychological effect of restoring confidence and optimism, as well as, mental energy and vitality. Jasmine has the wondrous ability to stimulate or sedate depending on individual need. When used in a massage oil, jasmine is calming, soothing and warming, evoking deep, penetrating, emotions and reassuring, self satisifaction. Jasmine is a common constituent of most floriental perfumes.

Oils suitable for blending with Jasmine include frankincense, geranium, lime, tangerine, neroli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang.

By the way, it requires 12,000 pounds of blossoms from the jasmine shrub to produce two pounds of the jasmine absolute used in perfumery. The most fragrant blossoms come from the second flowering in late fall, where the blossoms must be picked before dawn or 20% of the essence is lost. To put this in some perspective, an ounce of the perfume Joy by Patou, contains 336 roses and 10,600 jasmine petals. Without a doubt this effort is worth it. Real jasmine, like true rose, is beyond any comparison to the synthetic fragrances lining most shop shelves, it is truly, as it is known in India, the queen of the night

Jasmine the Healer

Jasmine is well known as an aphrodisiac and has been used as such for centuries, but what is less commonly known is that jasmine is also effective as an analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic. Other properties include its use as an expectorant, a sedative and also as an emollient. Throughout the ages, jasmine has been used to cleanse the air of sickrooms, and relieve insomnia and headaches. Jasmine also encourages cell growth and is superb for all skin types making a superior anti-aging tonic.