Similar to so many other natural remedies, massage of pure essential oils can also give the human body certain therapeutic benefits. This study was designed to explore the effect of therapeutic massage with jasmine oil, (Jasminum sativum L., Oleaceae). Materials and Methods: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial compared the effects of a single massage session with jasmine oil and placebo oil, using a blinded method.

During the study, twelve men with common cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to receive either a low-dose or a high-dose jasmine oil/placebo intervention. The subjects were instructed not to smoke at least eight hours before and during the study, to refrain from driving or operating machinery while the study was in progress, to change their diets, to maintain regular spa and salon visits and to practice a basic skin care regimen at home. The subjects were asked to wear comfortable but very clean clothing at all times, as dry skin can cause irritation and constrict the airway, both of which are considered potential adverse effects of a standard aromatherapy massage.

Both treatments group showed improvement in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and a decreased percentage of people with stroke, compared to the control group. Improvement in these parameters was most pronounced in those participants who were doing well with their diets, exercised regularly and had a history of respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Treatment with jasmine oil specifically demonstrated health benefits for people with cardiovascular disease, as well as people with respiratory problems. Overall, the results showed that treatment with jasmine oil was associated with significantly improved outcomes in people with cardiovascular disease and COPD, compared to those in the placebo arm.

During a follow-up phase, conducted a year later, the researchers followed up using the same patient population to evaluate the effects of jasmine oil on mood and anxiety. Again, the results showed significant improvements in mood and mental outlook in the group who had undergone the original aromatherapy session, as well as improvements in anxiety and stress. These results suggest that the use of essential oils may be an effective treatment for mood and anxiousness associated with menopausal symptoms.

Another study published in the same issue of Acta Psychologica revealed that women who did not use jasmine oil during their first pregnancies showed no difference in depression-related mood disorders as did women who did use the oil. The same was true of women with premenstrual syndrome. This study comes as the latest in a long line of evidence that essential oils can positively affect mood and other biological functions, such as the female reproductive system. While the specific mechanisms involved in these findings remain to be further evaluated, the fact that this natural plant extract can exert anti-androgenic effects is a strong indication that it may have a role in the treatment of gynecological side effects.

A small study published in Folia Medica suggested that jasmine oil may also be used to treat female infertility. Women who were not pregnant but reported vaginal dryness were given either a placebo or jasmine oil and was found to be more receptive to oral lubricants and to conceive. The authors of this study did not include jasmine oil in the treatment of women who were already pregnant, but the use of the herb was shown to be safe in this setting. One of the concerns that women have regarding essential oil aromatherapy is that they believe they are treating a condition instead of enhancing a healthy state. This concern is often expressed by those who have used essential oils in the past, but there is no basis for these beliefs. Essential oils are a natural part of the process of healing and are capable of uplifting moods and providing general wellness.

When you begin your daily jasmine oil routine, simply take a couple of drops, right before you go to bed, and follow up with a couple more drops while you are sleeping. This is a slow daily routine and does require that you be asleep to obtain the effects. Some have found that they can relax so much better when they are not trying to sleep that they do not need to take the oil further. If you find that this is the case for you, then that is fine. Take a couple of extra drops during the day, and if you want to, you can even keep a little of the oil in your purse at all times for emergencies. There has been nothing found to indicate that jasmine oil can have any sort of adverse effect when taken internally, even when taken in high doses.

There have also been some promising results when it comes to treating menopause symptoms and overall skin care. In one study published by Elsevier, female participants were given a standardized vaginal cream with jasmine oil and four other essential oils. The women who took the cream had noticeable improvements in the quality of the skin, and the researchers noticed that the essential oils made the cream more effective at treating skin care problems. This was a very impressive study, which deserves more attention from the medical community.