Extracted from gardenia fresh flower petals, Gardenia essential oil has a strong sweet, pleasant and floral aroma. Gardenia plants from which the oil is extracted are prized for the strong sweet scent of their flowers that resemble white roses. These bloom from around mid-spring through mid-summer and have leaves that are dark green and glossy with a leathery texture.

Gardenia jasminoides, also known as cape jasmine or cape jessamine, is a common type of gardenia that has a long history of medicinal use. Not only has Gardenia jasminoides been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, but extracts of the gardenia fruit have been scientifically studied and proved to be effective for many of the same conditions for which Chinese medical practitioners have been prescribing it for centuries. Zhizi, as Gardenia jasminoides is called in Chinese medicine, is considered a bitter, cold herb that helps with yin deficiency. In conventional Western medicine, the medicinal plant has been shown effective in reducing inflammation and exhibits anti-angiogenic properties. In traditional Chinese medicine, the kernel of the Gardenia jasminoides berry is made into a paste and used to treat redness and swelling for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. It is considered effective for relieving anxiety and agitation, so it is frequently prescribed for depression and insomnia. Some aromatherapists prescribe gardenia oil for anxiety and nervous tension owing to its calming effect.