Jasmine by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Jasmine
2. Folk Name(s): Moonlight Flower, Poet’s Jasmine, Jessamine
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Jasminum officinale (Common Jasmine), Jasminum sambac (Arabian Jasmine), Jasminum grandiflorum (Spanish Jasmine)
4. Family: Oleaceae (Olive family)
5. Plant Type: Perennial shrub or climbing vine
6. Botanical Description: Woody climber with slender stems and pinnate leaves. Produces clusters of star-shaped white, yellow, or pink flowers, intensely fragrant, especially at night. Some varieties evergreen, others deciduous.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: USDA Zones 7–11 (species dependent)
8. Best Zones for Growth: Subtropical to tropical climates; can be container-grown in cooler regions
9. Habitat & Range: Native to Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa; cultivated globally for ornamental and perfumery purposes

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Fertile, well-drained soil; prefers full sun to partial shade; thrives in warm, sheltered spots
2. Propagation: By cuttings, layering, or seed (though seeds less common)
3. Companion Planting: Pairs well with roses, lavender, and other fragrant ornamentals; attracts pollinators
4. Harvesting Guidelines: Flowers handpicked in early morning or evening when fragrance is strongest; essential oils extracted via solvent or enfleurage
5. Drying/Preservation: Flowers may be dried for tea blends or potpourri; essential oils and absolutes preserved in dark glass containers

Traditional & Historical Use

1. Cultural Significance: Sacred flower in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions; symbol of divine love, sensuality, and purity. Used in wedding garlands, temple offerings, and perfumes.
2. Traditional Medicine: Used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for relaxation, as an aphrodisiac, and to relieve stress, headaches, and menstrual discomfort.
3. Symbolism: Represents love, beauty, sensuality, purity, and spiritual awakening.

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Essential oils (benzyl acetate, indole, linalool, jasmone), flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids
2. Medicinal Uses:
   
3. Calming for anxiety, stress, and depression
4. Aphrodisiac and mood enhancer
5. Relieves menstrual cramps and balances hormones
6. Mild antiseptic and skin soother
7. Jasmine green tea aids digestion and immunity
   
8. Preparation Methods: Infusions, teas, aromatherapy oils, massage oils, perfumes, tinctures
9. Dosage & Guidelines:
   
10. Tea: 1 tsp dried jasmine flowers per cup, steeped 5 min
11. Essential oil: 2–3 drops diluted in carrier oil for massage or diffuser
    
12. Safety/Precautions: Generally safe; essential oil should not be applied undiluted to skin. Pregnant individuals should avoid concentrated use.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Water (linked to emotions, dreams, love)
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Moon and Venus; associated with goddesses of love (Aphrodite, Lakshmi, Isis)
3. Magical Correspondences: Love, attraction, prophetic dreams, purity, spiritual connection, sensuality
4. Ritual Use: Burned as incense for love spells and meditation; used in bath rituals to draw romance or self-love; placed under pillows to promote prophetic dreams; woven into garlands for blessings
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: Suggests romance, spiritual insight, or a period of emotional blossoming; may signify clarity through dreams

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and moths (especially night pollinators)
2. Wildlife Uses: Provides nectar for beneficial insects; some species offer cover for small birds
3. Culinary Uses: Used in jasmine teas (notably Jasminum sambac with green tea); flowers sometimes used for flavoring desserts, syrups, and rice dishes in Asian cuisine

Household/Practical Uses

1. Quick Uses: Fragrance for rooms and clothing; calming tea; bath ritual herb; attraction charm
2. Notable Traits: Intensely fragrant—often called the “queen of the night” due to evening bloom scent
3. Special Notes: Essential oil (absolute) is one of the most prized and costly in perfumery; harvesting is labor-intensive, requiring thousands of blossoms for small amounts of oil

Supporting Notes

1. Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (2016)
2. Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal (1931)
3. Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (2014)
4. Kapoor, L.D. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants (2001)
5. Rätsch, Christian. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Spices (2005)