Jasminum sambac is a species of jasmine native to South and Southeast Asia. It is widely cultivated for its attractive and sweetly fragrant flowers. The flowers are also used for perfumes and for making tea. It is known as the Arabian jasmine in English. It is the national flower of the Philippines, where it is known as sampaguita.
Despite the English common name of "Arabian jasmine", Jasminum sambac is not originally native to Arabia. The habits of Jasminum sambac support a native habitat of humid tropical climates and not the arid climates of the Middle East. Jasminum sambac were spread into Arabia and Persia by man, where they were cultivated in gardens. From there, they were introduced to Europe where they were grown as ornamentals and were known under the common name "sambac" in the 18th century.
The sweet, heady fragrance of Jasminum sambac is its distinct feature. It is widely grown throughout the tropics from the Arabian Peninsula to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands as an ornamental plant and for its strongly scented flowers. Numerous cultivars currently exist.
Typically, the flowers are harvested as buds during early morning. The flower buds are harvested on basis of color, as firmness and size are variable depending on the weather. The buds have to be white, as green ones may not emit the characteristic fragrance they are known for. Open flowers are generally not harvested as a larger amount of them is needed to extract oils and they lose their fragrance sooner.
Floral water of Jasmine sambac floral is a very pure scent of Jasmine sambac since it is made with a low temperature process and there is a large amount of essential oil remaining in the water. Sambac, also known as "Pikaki", has a distinctive odor profile: fruity and very sweet.
Jasmine Sambac is native to India and has its use etched in the history of various countries since the ancient times. The name Jasmine is extracted from the Persian name ‘Yasmin’ which means a fragrant flower. Jasmine Sambac is regarded as a symbol of strength, sacredness, humbleness and purity and is also used as a herbal remedy for fractures, abdominal distention, diarrhea, fever, swelling of the eyes and sprains.
Benefit & Uses: This Jasmine Sambac Attar assists people who want to undertake spiritual journey and discover intimate aspect of their relationships. Further, it also finds application as a flavoring agent as well as a base material for perfumes/perfumery based products.
The traditional Indians use the fresh juice of the ground flowers in treating sores, itching and wounds. The medicated root paste of Jasmine plant is used in treating labor pain for centuries in the rural parts of India. Fresh Jasmine blossoms are used in making ceremonial garlands, crowns and other decorations on special occasions and as offerings to God in India, Indonesia and Philippines. Jasmine flowers are worn as hair ornaments by Indian women especially after marriage for its natural aphrodisiac, euphoric and sensual properties.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine has used Jasmine Sambac in the treatment of diarrhea, tumors, conjunctivitis, skin ulcers, dysentery and fever. The native Chinese used the roots in curing severe pain, headache, insomnia, pain and inflammation due to broken bones or dislocated joints mainly attributed to the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties of this aromatic herb. The dried Jasmine flowers are used in making herbal tea in China.
The young leaves of Jasmine Sambac plant is used in making a herbal infusion for curing gallstones and the infusion of the roots were ingested to cure diabetes mellitus in Borneo. Jasmine Sambac has also been used for culinary purposes especially in making candies, teas, puddings, desserts, liqueurs and dairy products.
Depression has become a common phenomenon in people of all ages including teenagers, professionals (both men and women) and aged people. Ayurveda recommends meditation, yoga and the use of pacifying aromatic oils like Jasmine Sambac oil. The aromatic compounds in Jasmine oil pass through the nasal passages and reach the limbic system of the brain, which is the control center of the brain.