For centuries, jasmine has been popular for its sweet, floral, hypnotic and romantic scent, used as a middle note in some of the world's most famous perfumes. Jasmine absolute falls into the category of intoxicating aromatic materials due to its powerful and captivating aroma. Jasmine has a particularly sensual synergy with other highly prized, luxurious oils, such as sandalwood и ylang-ylangBesides its regal scent, there are other reasons why you'll love using jasmine absolute in your aromatherapy at home. We'll tell you about them and other interesting facts in this article.

A brief history and interesting facts

Jasmine has a rich history of use dating back to antiquity. It has been applied to various rituals and religious ceremonies in many parts of the world. Native to the Arabian Peninsula, tropical Africa and Asia, jasmine traveled the Silk Road in trade to cement its reputation as a unique and exquisite plant.

Known for its properties as a strong aphrodisiac, jasmine has many romantic associations in different cultures and religions. A symbol of love and fidelity in the Philippines, of divine hope in India, where it is often used as a decoration in wedding ceremonies. Only at the beginning of the 17th century, jasmine made its way to Europe. Later it became an integral part of traditional French perfumery. The production of jasmine oil began around the middle of the 19th century in the Grasse region, which was once considered the largest producer in the world. This region still produces jasmine absolute, but production has significantly decreased since its peak in the 1920s and 1930s.

What is jasmine absolute and how does it differ from essential oil

Absolute is a highly concentrated, highly aromatic oil that is extracted from the fragrant flowers of jasmine. It is similar to essential oil, but is extracted from a specific (see glossary of terms), by solvent ethanol (alcohol). Two types are mainly used to make jasmine absolute:

Day-blooming Royal Jasmine (Jasmine grandiflorum)
Night-blooming Arabian jasmine (jasminum sambac)

Raw jasmine absolute is too delicate to be steam distilled. High-quality jasmine oil only develops its fragrance through solvent extraction. This method is suitable for delicate plant material that is difficult to distill. Jasmine flowers are extremely fragile and are picked by hand. Collected flowers should be processed as quickly as possible, because with their withering, they lose the saturation of the aroma.

Jasmine-Essential-oil-4percent-Primavera

In the past, jasmine absolute was obtained by "enfleurage". Enfleurage is a technique that extracts the scent of the plant using animal fat. The process lasts for more than two weeks. No heating was used, but this is also the most ancient way to extract a fine floral aroma. The method is very outdated and is not used today, as it is extremely time-consuming. Each petal of the plant is arranged on a thin layer of fat spread on a piece of glass. They are then removed and replaced with new fresh flowers. The process is repeated until the fat is saturated with the aromatic perfume. Jasmine flowers need 24 hours to extract their delicate scent.

Most jasmine raw materials nowadays come from Egypt, India and Morocco. Jasmine absolute is mainly used in perfumery - it is not an essential oil, although it contains components of it.

5 benefits of using jasmine absolute

An effective antidepressant – It has been proven (1) that aromatherapy applied at home can effectively reduce the symptoms of depressive and nervous conditions. Research shows that there is a significant increase in blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate and blood pressure. The researchers concluded that the stimulating and activating effect of jasmine aroma may be useful in alleviating depression and improving mood. Jasmine oil used in aromatherapy massage has been found to be particularly effective.

Another study published in Journal of Health Research, investigated the effects of inhaling jasmine oil on the central nervous system and mood. When inhaled, jasmine oil affects brain activity and mood. Study participants reported feeling more positive, energetic and romantic.

Antibacterial action – Jasmine absolute has been found to have antibacterial properties. Its antiseptic effects fight against various bacteria, such as E. coliDiluted in a carrier oil, jasmine absolute can be effective in preventing various skin infections.
Calming action – While jasmine absolute has been shown to increase alertness and energy levels, research also shows that it can also have a calming effect. The scent needs to be at its lowest concentration to have a sedative effect on mood and nervous activity.
Relieves menopausal symptoms – Aromatherapy massage including jasmine absolute once a week can significantly reduce menopausal symptoms. Known combinations are with essential oils from sage, palmarosa, lavender, rose и geranium, which help reduce the feeling of hot flashes and frequent mood swings, depressive states and nervousness;
Aphrodisiac – Although there is not enough research to support its effects, jasmine’s romantic scent is believed to have an aphrodisiac effect. To create a mood for romance in some parts of India, jasmine flowers are often part of wedding decorations in the newlyweds’ bedroom.

Inhaling the scent of jasmine or using it in an aromatherapy massage significantly improves mood, increases romantic and positive feelings, and also energy levels. You can also add a few drops to bedding, to warm bath salts, or apply a little diluted oil to your neck.

How you can use jasmine absolute

Perfume composition – For lovers of natural perfumes, you can experiment at home with different perfume compositions. In a small glass roll-on bottle, add a drop of jasmine absolute to 1 tablespoon of base oil. Remember that absolutes are much more concentrated in their aroma, do not overdo it with the saturation. You can combine with a drop of bergamot or lavender essential oil, patchouli, incense, vetiver, sandalwood and ylang-ylang. Combine your favorite scents, play with your imagination!
Aromatic bath – Add a drop of absolute or jasmine extract to 100 g of sea salt. Stir well and add to your aromatic bath. For a richer floral scent, add essential oils of rose, lavender, geranium, or a combination of the three.
Passive diffusion – Active diffusion, usually applied through an ultrasonic diffuser, which disperses essential oil molecules in the room. Passive diffusion works much differently as there is nothing to push the oils into the air. They evaporate on their own and lightly scent the air around you until the scent dissipates completely. Passive diffusers are the aromatic ceramic mini diffusers in a different form. It's a wonderful aromatic experience suitable for the office, hotel room bedside table or home desk.
Soothing aromatherapy massage – Mix in 30 ml sweet almond oil, 3 drops of jasmine absolute with 3 drops of chamomile essential oil and 4 drops of Petitgrain essential oil. Massage the resulting mixture onto the back, neck and shoulders to induce a feeling of calm and relaxation.
Aromatic body cream/oil – In a bowl, mix equal amounts of shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil. Add a drop of jasmine and beat with a mixer until fluffy. Add a teaspoon of vitamin E to the mixture to make the product last longer. Keep refrigerated and use no more than 6 months. Apply after a bath, your body skin will become baby soft and fragrant!

A few tips from us

We recommend that you use the absolutes topically, added to a base/vegetable oil for perfume compositions, massages, scented baths, cosmetic products such as body scrubs, add a drop to your face cream (when not heavily perfumed). The content of solvents, waxes or other components in absolute can damage your pet aroma diffuser.

Passive diffusion is also a great option to enjoy the aroma of absolutes. Especially since you can apply it anywhere. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use and trust companies with proven aromatherapy products, such as the German brand Primavera Life.