FAMILY
N.O. Oleaceae and Jasminaceae

DESCRIPTION
The Jasmine, or Jessamine (the name derived from the Persian Yasmin), belongs botanically to the genus Jasminum, of the natural order Oleaceae, which contains about 150 species, mostly natives of the warmer regions of the Old World. About forty of these are cultivated in our gardens.

Their leaves are mostly ternate or pinnate; the flowers, usually white oryellow, with a tubular, five- or eight-cleft calyx, a cylindrical corolla-tube, with a spreading limb, two stamens enclosed in the corolla-tube and a two-celled ovary.

USES
Common jasmine is a source of essential oil and a main perfumery component. Aromatherapists find it anti-depressant and relaxing. It can help dry or sensitive skþn, and tiredness. In aromatherapy it is used in massage rubs for perion pain, depression, impotence and frigidity, and during childbirth to encourage parturition and ease labour pains. It is also added tochest rubs for coughs and breathing difficulties.

Arabian jasmine has been used for scenting Chinese teas.