Benefits of Jasmine Plant

　　The most widely known characteristic of this herb regards its distinctive smell. In order to extract 2.2 lb essence of jasmine it's necessary to use 2200 lb of fresh jasmine flowers. Nevertheless, its considerable effects conducive to a both healthy physical state and a state of mind are enough reasons to convince us that it's worth the effort.

　　Description of Jasmine Plant

　　Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a flowery shrub containing white or yellow flowers, native to Mediterranean countries (although there are a considerable number of people that say it comes from India). The shrub has a ramified crown, angular green long twigs, obtuse flowers and it is cultivated as a decorative plant (Jasminum fretticans), or for its industrial and medicinal uses. The flowers can be small or large, white with a nice perfume that increases in strength in the evening. Jasmine grows quickly. It can grow in the shade, but it grows better in sunny and breezy areas. Widely known for its big consumption of jasmine tea, the Chinese civilization drinks green tea during the spring and summer times as well as in autumn and especially in winter, jasmine tea. This drinking tea habit appeared in the north and north-east region of China.

　　From jasmine flowers it is extracted the well-known and highly expensive oil. The high cost is explained by the fact that in order to extract 2.2lb of jasmine essence 2200lb of fresh flowers are needed. Nevertheless, its effects over an organism make that process worthwhile. The herb has the power to eliminate the stress and depression, and it can help regain self-confidence. The jasmine flowers are used in biotherapy and perfume industry.

　　Properties and benefits of Jasmine

　　The fresh jasmine flowers contain a high amount of etheric oil. Beside this oil, the flowers also contain benzilic acetate, linalcohol, benzilic alcohol, indole and jasmon. All these substances confer jasmine aphrodisiac properties. Among other properties of the jasmine flowers are: the improvement of digestion, adjuvant in the toxins elimination and the loose of weight. They also help the acceleration of metabolism, they improve the blood circulation and it is commonly known their aphrodisiac effect.

　　Mixtures and treatments

　　How can the flowers be used? In the simplest way possible: making tea out of them! Other ways: macerated in oil or alcoholic extract. The tea can be use to treat headaches, coughing and the macerate for rheumatism.

　　In aromatherapy, the jasmine oil is recommended for any kind of physical pain. It is also good advisable to have it around in case of birth. Even more, it is a powerful antiseptic, sedative and tonic recommended for breathing difficulties, coughing and nervous debility. It also calms any skin affliction and it can be used in small amounts for calming pains.

　　Jasmine tea

　　The jasmine tea is known by the majority of nutritionists as being an adjuvant in losing weight. The jasmine tea does not have any energizing properties like the green tea, but it has sedative properties and it can regulate blood circulation and arterial tension. The taste of one jasmine tea cup is sweet and combined with green tea will offer powerful tonic and energetic results.

　　Jasmine oil

　　The adepts of the aromatherapy use this jasmine oil in combination with drops of ylang ylang oil. This mixture helps regaining the healthy state of mind and body.

　　Warning

　　It isn't recommended to consume jasmine tea in big quantities, especially in cases of pregnancy. It is also not recommended to consume jasmine tea on an empty stomach, to prevent causing high acidity. After 5 pm it is best if the consumption of jasmine tea is ceased to prevent insomnia.

The night-blooming jasmine

　　While still dawn on one of those warm mornings we sometimes experience in early October, when I opened a window facing our back yard, a cloud of an intoxicating scent caught me off-guard completely: tucked with the other container-grown plants sitting on the patio, the potted night-blooming jasmine was in full bloom. And, since then it has produced flushes of flowers because of the mild days we recently had; though not very commonly seen, this tropical jasmine is indeed my pride and joy.

　　Noted for the fragrance the flowers emit at night, the night-blooming jasmine, Cestrum nocturnum, has rather unique characteristics: the plants are somewhat weedy-looking, thus might not draw one’s attention at the first sight, and the leaves have an undesirable odor if bruised, in addition to the fact that the greenish-yellow flowers are quite inconspicuous. But on warm nights, waves of a fragrance so intense cover the surrounding areas that the nose can detect the presence of a plant before the eyes can!

　　Interestingly, the night-blooming jasmine is a member of the nightshade family which includes vegetables such as potato and eggplant, though chances of running across a specimen of the jasmine where vegetable plants are sold is rather small! However, some garden centers do sell potted plants along with the other houseplants; also, it can easily be propagated by rooting cuttings of the stems. So, if someone you know has a mature plant, and if interested, it won’t hurt to ask for a piece of the stem. In all likelihood, the person will gladly give out some.

　　Like most tropical plants, the night-blooming jasmine doesn’t like to be left in the cold, literally! Therefore, when the night temperature is expected to be below 50 to 55 degrees, the potted plants that have been basking outside during the summer need to be taken indoors. In fact, on a recent cool night when we brought ours loaded with ready-to-open flower buds inside, the perfume that filled our home is indescribable!

Bull run for Shankarapura jasmine ends

　　MANGALORE: The Bull run this season for the famed fragrant Shankarapura Mallige or popularly known as Sooji Mallige'' has ended. The rate of one 'atte' of flowers, which had crossed Rs 820 a week back, has now fallen sharply to Rs 150 on Sunday. It was quoting at Rs 210 on Saturday.

　　The more fragrant but less fancied Jaaji mallige, also grown in Udupi region, was quoted at Rs 45 on Sunday and on Saturday it was Rs 65. It was at a high of Rs 350 last week. About 800 jasmine flowers, depending on their size, are strung together using plantain stalk to make one chendu and four chendus make one atte.

　　Udupi Mallige Belegaarara Sangha president Ramakrishna Sharma Bantakallu says that the rates fluctuate wildly on a day to day depending on the supply and demand of jasmine, which is a fancy item. There are merchants in Mumbai who buy Rs 5 lakh worth of flowers on a day as when there is high demand during festivities and marriage seasons,'' he told TOI. Apart from Mumbai, the coastal regions of Mangalore, Udupi and Kerala are the major markets for this flower.

　　There are about 10,000 families engaged in jasmine cultivation in the coastal districts extending from Kasargod to Uttara Kannada, with a maximum number of 7,500 families being in Udupi district. Sharma says the rates are likely to go up again during Deepavali and marriage season. The lowest rates an 'atte' quotes is Rs 80 during off season and it sometimes goes down to as low as Rs 40 during transport strikes. A rate of Rs 200 per 'atte' is remunerative,'' observes Sharma.

　　The fancy rate for the fancied flowers depends upon the whims and fancies of the wholesale merchants based on the demand from customers and the supply. Fortunately in the case of jasmine growers, whatever the hike, barring a commission of Rs 10 or Rs 20 the entire sum is passed on to the growers unlike in other agro sectors where middle men make windfall profits. We get a daily rate from wholesalers and we give the maximum to the merchant who quotes the highest,'' says Sharma.

Flowering Tea Using Jasmine Flower Tea

　　The elements of herbs and plants have been used for hundreds of centuries by many cultures. Their use has always been a combination of medical and spiritual applications, and the natural characteristics of each herb or plant are defined by their application, whether for physical or mental healing.

　　The jasmine plant has long been a favorite of many people in the areas of the world where it thrives, often because of the beauty of the small flowers that only bloom in the evening when the temperature cools. Jasmine flower tea is another popular use of this “gift of God” - the Arabic definition of the word - for its very pleasing aroma as well as its healing properties. Jasmine flower tea has been used in Asia for centuries not only for its extraordinary aromatic qualities but for its calming, sedative properties.

　　The making of flowering tea is an old tradition that combines the beneficial aspects of herbal tea with the added attraction of watching dried flowers come to life when placed in heated water. Jasmine flower tea is one of the more popular plants to use, and the small flower buds create an interesting visual display as they release their fragrant and homeopathic essence

　　The art of making flowering tea is a well-respected craft that has been handed down through many generations of Chinese artisans. Carefully selected combinations of flowers and other flora are woven together in a time-honored tradition to create a unique show of regeneration, as the flowers spring to life in the water during the steeping process.

　　These skilled artisans are very adept at weaving these elements together in a specific manner to allow the buds they create to unfurl in just the right way. The dried buds that are the result of their handiwork can be used individually in a tea cup, or several can be combined in a teapot. The resulting visual show is often considered to be as important as the botanical benefits of the plants and flowers themselves. The symbolic genesis that takes place can serve as a method of prayer and worship of the “gift of God” that jasmine flower tea provides.

　　This ancient art form has become more appreciated around the world in modern times. The making of flowering tea has been part of a growing understanding of the importance of using the plants and flowers that are omnipresent in nature for nutritional support, for healing, and for the physiological benefits that these elements provide.

　　The increasing interest in studying the regenerative role that herbs and plants play in human health has led to a better grasp of their beneficial qualities. The importance of antioxidants is understood more today as science and cultural tradition begin to find a common ground in the study and application of the many natural characteristics found in the botanical world. The ability of herbs, flowers, and plants to support continued good health when they are included in a daily dietary program is founded in solid scientific research as well as the traditions of folk knowledge that has stood the test of time.

Pork steak with jasmine flowers

　　My friend Hieu at London's Vietnamese restaurant Cay Tre serves jasmine flowers as a side dish; they are absolutely delicious and have a luxurious flavour somewhat reminiscent of asparagus (which would also work well here). You can find them in Chinese and Vietnamese supermarkets.

　　I've also scattered a few Chinese chive tops over, which you can also find in Chinese supermarkets.

　　4 pork steaks, cut from preferably the rib, weighing about 150g each

　　100-120g jasmine flowers (or asparagus)

　　2tbsp vegetable or corn oil for frying

　　A handful of Chinese chives, tops reserved and bottoms finely chopped

　　2-3tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)

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　　Preheat a ribbed griddle pan or heavy frying pan, season and brush the pork steaks with a little of the soy. Brush the griddle with a little oil and cook the steaks for about 3-4 minutes on each side until just cooked but still slightly pink.

　　Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon or so of the vegetable oil in a heavy frying pan or wok and quickly fry the jasmine flowers and chopped chives for 2-3 minutes without colouring them and seasoning lightly during cooking. Blanch the chive tops in boiling salted water and drain.

　　To serve, cut the steaks into 4-5 slices, spoon the jasmine flowers on to warmed serving plates, arrange the pork on top and scatter the chive flowers over. Spoon a little sweet soy around and serve.