Herbs Ways: The Beautiful Jasmine

Tuesday, 12 August 2008

The Beautiful Jasmine

The flowers of the Jasmine are enjoyed in the garden, as house plants and as cut flowers. Jasmine is also the national symbol of the Philippines, Indonesia, Island of Java, Pakistan and Syria.

Floral arrangements are made up and worn by women southern and southeast Asia. Many of the Jasmine species also produce an 'absolute', this is used in the producing of perfumes and incense.

In China Jasmine 'Tisane' is drunk in China it is known as Jasmine flower tea. Some varieties of Jasmine flowers are also added to make another type of tea tea which commonly has a green tea base or oolong tea base.

Jasmine flower are plucked very early in the morning when the petals are firmly closed as they only open during the might. After storing in a cool place until around 7:00 in the evening, the petals will have then begun to open.

Flowers and tea are then integrated in purposely designed machines with controlled temperatures and humidity. The tea will eventually absorb the moisture from the flowers; the result is Jasmine Flower Tea.

Less scientific but just as interesting is the belief that Jasmine is used to attract spiritual love by being put into love sachets and carried around. A drop of Jasmine oil with in almond oil massaged into the skin is known as an aphrodisiac. Wearing the flowers beings wealth and money and if burned in the bedroom, Jasmine bring about fortune-telling dreams.

If you want to try growing Jasmine, and many do, it is best grown indoors in pots. Being an evergreen vine it likes bright light, but not direct sunlight. What would be needed is some support such as a trellis, lots of water and the occasional hand brushing to fertilize if there is a lack of natural flying fertilizers such as bees etc.