The Scent of Summer

Surely one of the most fabulous benefits of warm summer evenings has to be the opportunity to sit outside, without a cardigan, wrap or jumper and soak up the scents of summer.

Like many essential oils, when sniffed neat from a bottle, the scent of Jasmine can be incredibly strong and quite overwhelming. However In our garden, it creeps up the side and over the top of the pergola where we sit of an evening and when it's in full bloom with it's heady fragrance gently wafting in the breeze, it's simply stunning.

Not only does it have a beautiful scent, but Jasmine also has some wonderful therapeutic qualities.

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)

Jasmine essential oil is taken from the beautiful white blossoms. It's tiny little flowers can't be effectively steam distilled, so the oil is taken by solvent extraction, producing a highly concentrated absolute which is why it smells so strong direct from the bottle - a little of this precious oil goes a long way!

The flowers are gathered at night when the perfume is at its strongest and, similar to Rose and Neroli, it can be an expensive which makes it one of the most luxurious oils.  It is also one of the most sensual oils, known for its aphrodisiacal properties and is also one of the most uplifting of oils, being very useful when treating depression and helping to calm nerves and ease anxiety.

It is one of my favourite oils, not only because of its scent but because it reminds me of relaxed, warm Summer evenings spent enjoying the company of friends and family.