Spotlight on Jasmine – uplifting, energizing
Jasmine is a perennial favorite, and it has proven to be a useful tool for enhancing mood and increasing central nervous system activity – basically, energizing.
The research cited below indicates that both Jasminum sambac and J. grandiflorum absolutes show CNS stimulating properties when inhaled or diluted and applied with massage. Among the observed effects were increased heart and breathing rate (not to a dangerous level) and increased beta wave activity. Beta waves correlate with alertness, focus and sharp thinking.
Jasmine flowers are too fragile for cost-efficient steam distillation, so the fragrant material used in aromatherapy is most commonly an absolute, but could be a CO2 extract.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20184043 – aromatherapy massage with Jasminum sambac
https://www.researchgate.net/…/236235613_The_effects_of_jas… – inhalation of Jasminum grandiflorum
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1556904 – inhalation of Jasminum grandiflorum
Hi
I have a doubt regarding this research https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1556904 – inhalation of Jasminum grandiflorum
If phytol is the component that causes the CNS stimulation and reduces pentobarbital sleep time also, then people taking this type of medicines or before surgery are at risk of inhaling jasmine absolute? and traces of phytol also poses a risk in other essential oils?
I have seen 2 GC/MS of Jasmine absolute, one with traces of phytol and the other one up to 8.5%, it seems a lot of difference between the 2, is one safer than the other?
Thanks for your reply
Rebeca
Hi Rebeca, I don’t think there is enough information in the research paper to justify a contraindication. The mice were exposed to Jasmine vapors for 4 hours before pentobarbital was administered. The Jasmine absolute used here was J. grandiflorum, which contains significantly more phytol than J. sambac. However, in one of the other studies (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20184043) J. sambac was used, (which is higher in indole) and it also showed a CNS stimulating effect in humans, which would not be due to phytol. IF there is a drug interaction effect going on, it would need to be more closely studied, but such effects are not common from inhalation.
Thank you!