Tuesday 12 March 2013

J is for......

No problems for me in choosing this weeks essential oil, it has to be Jasmine. This is an absolute oil, which means that the oil is extracted by laying the Jasmine flowers on special wax and the oil is taken into the wax and then extracted. It takes thousands of flowers to make a small bottle of oil - hence the exorbitant price! Usually it is sold diluted in a carrier oil to ten percent solution to make it more affordable, but aromatherapists use the pure type. I have a bottle and the smell is sweet flowery and exotic, but slightly heady!
This flower oil hs been used through the ages in love potions and was famed for its aphrodisiac properties. It was used in the treatment of gonorrhoea and prostate problems and used as a scenting ointment in India and for ceremonial occasions.  In China Jasmine tea is one of the most popular and can be brought here in the supermarkets.
It is not to be used in pregnancy until about to give birth when it is then famed for easing labour as it strengthens contractions yet relieves pain at the same time.. It is a valuable oil in helping severe depression as it calms the nerves and gives a positive feeling of confidence. Especially good for people in the helping professions as it restores energy and revitalises after giving out a lot of care. It  is a very good hormone balancer and most effective in post-natal depression. It also promotes the flow of breast milk! It is a very good tonic for dry and sensitive skin and if mixed with Mandarin  and Lavender will increase the elasticity of the skin and so is helpful for the treament of stetch marks. It is also good for loosening up stiff limbs!
For my tag I have used a postcard image of the Jasmine Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker.

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I highlighted the leaves with watercolour and decoupaged another set of wings that I embossed with hologram powder. The J was coloured with Mowed Lawn distress stain and then distress glittered and I added white paper flowers with yellow Flowersoft centres. I stamped the Postcard at the top against a green background and found  a piece of green and cream ribbbon. I love the flower faires, they remind me of childhood! Bless you all for the kind comments last week. I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with for your J's. Keep warm if you are in the UK, where did Spring go? x

11 comments:

  1. Just beautiful Barb, love the flower fairy image, too! Valerie

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  2. Gorgeous tag! Really well done! My sister had a Jasmine plant that smelled heavenly when it bloomed. No Spring here either :(

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  3. Another beautiful tag, Barb. Gosh - what can't this oil do! Spring has disappeared in S W France too :( Carolyn x

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  4. Simply divine... Gorgeous image I love the colours... Hugs May x x x

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  5. You picked such a gorgeous image for your tag, I love the flower fairies. Lovely embellishments,too.
    I have some Jasmine flower wax which I use in solid perfumes and it is absolutely divine.

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  6. So very beautiful Barb and what a lot of information you're giving us about each scent too. I ADORE Jasmine, but did n't realise it was so very useful. You could make a book with all your tag pictures and writings at the side. I'd buy a copy! :0) Mo x

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  7. Wow! what a great all rounder Jasmine is! and what a beautiful tag to represent it, I love the flower fairy images too they are so sweet x according to my husband spring hasn't started yet apparently not until 20/21st March. Those snowdrops in my garden must be well confused!!

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  8. Hi Barb. I never knew that Jasmine was such a useful plant. I have always loved the smell and am always amazed at how much aroma can come from such tiny flowers. Beautiful tag Barb and thank you for the interesting post.

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  9. This is gorgeous! Love the image.

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  10. Beautiful tag, Barb and such a lot of interesting information about jasmine.I love the Jasmine Fairy image.
    Jane x

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  11. Jasmine is one of my favourite smells on a warm summers evening. Perfect for your tag. Hugs mrs a.

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