Health Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil

Jasmine has a rich history across Egypt, China, and India as an aphrodisiac, perfume, and sleep aid. Even in the modern age, jasmine essential oil (EO) has become a staple of Ayurvedic & aromatherapy lifestyles. Among a number of other health benefits, jasmine essential oil has been known to reduce stress & anxiety, increase energy levels, clear headaches, reduce PMS symptoms, and even promote better sleep. 

We’re going to cover each of these benefits, so you can see if jasmine essential oil is a good fit for your daily routine.

What is Jasmine Essential Oil? 

Jasmine oil isn't extracted from the flower in the same way as other essential oils. This is because the steam distillation method, the common extraction method, can harm the delicate flower of the jasmine plant. Instead, solvent extraction is generally used to collect the potent plant oils.

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The petals of the jasmine plant are immersed in a solvent, typically hexane or ethanol solvent. They are then rotated to extract the oil, and the longer the petals remain in the solution, the more oil can be removed.

Jasmine oil has a rich and sweet aroma with a light colour and sheer texture. It’s initially a yellow/light brown colour when extracted and doesn't leave behind a sticky or oily residue when used.

Primary Compounds in Jasmine Essential Oil

Though chemical composition will vary between species & oil producers, jasmine EO will generally have the following active agents: 

• Linalool – Linalool is a plant metabolite, responsible for jasmine oil’s fragrance and antimicrobial properties
  
  
• Benzyl acetate – a synthetic additive to preserve the fragrance of the oil
  
  
• Benzyl alcohol: an aromatic alcohol
  
  
• Indole: used as a floraliser
  
  
• Benzyl benzoate: used to blend other ingredients together
  
  
• Cis-jasmone: a fragrance constituent used in jasmine oil & many perfumes
  
  
• Geraniol: a monoterpene oil used for a rose-like aroma with antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties
  
  
• Methyl anthranilate: a synthase aroma chemical

Health Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil

Mood Enhancement & Stress Relief

When inhaled or applied to the skin, jasmine oil can improve your mood and effectively reduce stress. The aroma stimulates the production of serotonin, which helps stabilise your mood and increase activity in the nervous system, leading to more positive feelings of happiness.

Improved Sleep

Though jasmine oil functions as a stimulant for mood & energy, studies have found that one of the many benefits of jasmine essential oil is its sedative properties. This is partially more effective when mixed with cedarwood oil.

A recent study concluded that jasmine tea “has sedative effects on both autonomic nerve activity and mood states,” and that linalool, the primary ingredient in jasmine EO, can mimic these effects. 

Antiseptic & Antibacterial Properties

Jasmine oil is often used for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. This is down in part to the presence of benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, and benzyl benzoate, which all have antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The oil can be applied to prevent wounds & cuts from becoming infected. When inhaled, it can relieve the symptoms of coughs and colds and fight respiratory infections.

Many studies have been carried out to ascertain the claims of antiseptic and antibacterial properties of jasmine essential oil. One study proved the antibacterial properties of jasmine oil against the strains of e-coli, While other studies demonstrated that jasmine oil is effective against all strains of candida, which cause oral thrush.

Healthier Skin

One of the main benefits of using jasmine oil is for dry skin. Jasmine oil has long been used to treat dry skin and conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. This is possible because jasmine oil is an emollient, meaning it is naturally hydrating. It can be instrumental in fighting dry skin and other skin conditions, especially when coupled with a regular skincare routine.

The antioxidant properties of jasmine oil helps fight free radicals in the skin, meaning that adding jasmine oil to your favourite moisturiser can boost its anti-ageing properties, even out skin tone, reduce blemishes, and give you healthier-looking skin.

Clinical studies indicate that essential oils have skin healing benefits, which are best used frequently in conjunction with regular skin care products for added benefits.

Using Jasmine Essential Oil

Jasmine EO has no shortage of benefits, but only when used properly. To keep yourself safe & maximise the healing powers, this is what you need to know about using the oil.

You should never ingest jasmine oil or use it neat on your skin without a carrier oil, as it can be toxic when swallowed, and you can damage your health by doing so. But at Herb Cottage, our jasmine oil is slightly diluted with jojoba oil (3%), meaning you don’t need to blend it with jojoba – it’s already done!

• Added to spray bottle with water
• Blended with topical creams and skincare products
• Inhaled directly from the bottle
• Added to a diffuser
• Steamed with hot water
• Combined with a carrier oil to massage onto the skin

It is important that before using jasmine oil mixtures on your skin, you perform a patch test in small inconspicuous areas 24 hours before usage. This will enable you to detect any sensitivities or allergic reactions to ensure it is safe for use. You should not continue if you experience any adverse reactions. Always seek medical treatment in the event of a reaction to jasmine oil and cease use immediately.

The appropriate dosage and application of jasmine oil can largely depend on the users, age, health, weight, height and more. While there is no exact recommended dosage, it is suggested to use 1-2 drops per ounce of carrier oil, e.g. almond or coconut oil. In its purest form, jasmine oil is potent; while it's generally safe and not an irritant, you must always dilute it before use.

How to Add Jasmine EO to Your Daily Routine

To get the full benefits of using jasmine essential oil, you can add it to your lifestyle in many different ways, from adding it to your essential oil diffusers to hot baths, facial steamers, topical creams, and moisturisers for skin care. You can also add it to warmed coconut oil to use to massage parts of your body for reduced pain and inflammation in sore areas.

Remember, safety is vital when using essential oils to avoid damage to your skin and furniture from spillages.

The benefits of jasmine oil are vast and can benefit many different people in various applications. From using jasmine oil to improve your overall health, aid rest and relaxation, improve your sleeping patterns, boost your mood, and more, you can play around with finding the best applications for your needs, from inhalation to massage oils and diffusion into the air around you.

Jasmine oil has been scientifically proven to support your health and benefit the user in different ways. If you are on the fence about trying jasmine oil in your life, hopefully, these benefits will have persuaded you to try it!