Gardenia oil

A whirlwind of dazzling white! The waxy flower of the gardenia looks both pure and sensual – its heady sweet aroma, tickling all your olfactory receptors from afar, is a real invitation to poke your nose into one of these wonderful flowers and swoon. The heavenly aroma brings back memories of lazy, fragrant evenings spent on the veranda.

All parts of the gardenia plant have antispasmodic, cathartic, anthelmintic and external antiseptic action. The bark contains beta-sitosterol and nonacosane, the leaves and flowers – mannitol. The seeds contain starch and oil, which is mainly composed of palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. The roots are used to treat headaches pain, dyspepsia, nervous disorders and fever. The leaves are used as a poultice to treat fever, and the fruits against jaundice and diseases of the kidneys and lungs.

Origin and characteristics of Gardenia

Gardenia is a genus of flowering plants in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Madagascar, the Pacific Islands and Australia.

They are evergreen shrubs, varying in size from dwarf to large, with dark green and glossy leaves with a leathery texture, growing opposite each other or in whorls of three or four. The extremely strongly scented flowers grow solitary or in small clusters, colored white or pale yellow, with a tubular corolla. Gardenias contain a diverse array of phytonutrients such as methoxylated and oxygenated flavonols, flavones, and triterpenes that accumulate on the vegetative and flower buds as yellow or brown droplets of exuded resin.

Gardenia Oil and Its Benefits

Are you thinking about adding some essential oil to your home medicine cabinet? In addition to the enticing and intoxicating aroma of gardenia, gardenia oil is the right choice for relieving many ailments.

Let’s take a look at some of its health benefits.

Anti-inflammatory

Gardenia essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore effective in treating inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Two special chemical compounds in gardenia oil (geniposide and genipin) are strong anti-inflammatory substances and can even help treat symptoms of jaundice, swelling, fever and liver disease.

Antibacterial

Gardenia essential oil is an effective treatment for bacterial infections such as sepsis and tetanus due to its strong bactericidal properties. Due to this bactericidal activity, it is also an excellent surface protector against germs while smelling wonderful. Simply add a few drops of gardenia oil to water to use as a spray. Gardenia oil can also help protect you from potentially dangerous bacterial infections caused by bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.

Antioxidant

The amount of antioxidants found in gardenia oil is very high! Antioxidants are chemicals that inhibit the formation of free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. They can also help reduce the risk of cancer and remove harmful toxins from the body. Antioxidants play an important role in skin health, healing minor injuries, reducing scars and pigmentation.

Antiviral

Gardenia is also considered an excellent cold reliever. The antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral compounds described help fight respiratory or sinus infections. To clear a stuffy nose, evaporate some gardenia oil or add a few drops to hot water for a steam bath.

Sedative

Gardenia essential oil is an effective sedative and has many other health benefits, such as helping to overcome seizures. Some studies in mice have shown that gardenia oil has sedative, antiepileptic, and hypnotic activity

Aphrodisiac

As an aphrodisiac, the intoxicating aroma of gardenia essential oil stimulates the libido. A few drops of this oil added to the bath or used as a stimulating massage oil can heighten passion and liven up the bedroom.

Gardenia Oil and Aromatherapy

The scent of gardenia is as sultry as a hot summer evening. The exotic floral scent is a huge part of its appeal – cool, bold and fresh, yet woody and feminine – and perhaps the most intoxicating scent in the world.

If you’re looking to enhance your mood with scent, gardenia oil is a great choice.

The floral scent of gardenia has properties that induce relaxation and reduce stress. Additionally, when used as a room spray, its antibacterial properties purify the air of airborne pathogens and eliminate unpleasant odors

Improves Mood

Gardenia essential oil improves your mood, reduces anxiety, and induces relaxation. An invigorating bath with gardenia oil or a warming massage can help with this.

Reduces Fatigue and Pain

Gardenia extract and oil are used to combat pain and discomfort associated with headaches, PMS, arthritis, injuries including sprains and muscle cramps. Gardenia has been found to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and help deliver oxygen and nutrients to parts of the body that need healing. Because of this ability, gardenia oil has traditionally been used to treat chronic pain, fatigue, and various other ailments.

Improves Cognition and Protects Memory

Certain stimulant properties of gardenia may also help improve mood and cognitive function. As published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, a study found that gardenia extract improved memory, especially among older adults with memory deficits, including Alzheimer’s disease. The main components of gardenia are geniposide and gardenoside. They appear to help reverse the underlying mechanisms of memory impairment through their anti-inflammatory effects.

Reduces Depression and Anxiety

The scent of gardenia flowers is known to promote relaxation and help relieve stress in people who are feeling stressed. Traditionally, the Chinese have included gardenias in both aromatherapy and herbal formulas that are used to treat mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and restlessness.

Weight Loss

Some studies claim that gardenia may aid in weight loss. This is due to certain compounds in the flower that help speed up metabolism and regulate the liver’s ability to burn fat. Inhaling its scent, adding a few drops to a diffuser, may help suppress appetite.