Gardenia belongs to Rubiaceae species family and is closely related to coffee plant. It is noted that there are about 140 species of Gardenia. However, only Gardenia Jasminoides are the ones that are pummeled to extract oil. Gardenia Jasminoides also has ancient history attributed to it. Since 960 AD, Chinese scholars and medicinal practitioners have been using Gardenia essential oil to treat various diseases.
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Gardenia is a beautiful and aromatic plant; it can literally light up anyone’s life. Yes, gardenia is frequently used in synthetic form to create perfumes that are commonly used by both women and men. It has slight floral scent with a punch of sweetness and fine intricate smell.
How is Gardenia Oil Extracted?
If you are familiar with essential oil extraction then you have guessed right. Yes! Gardenia is a flower and its oil is not extracted but it is pummeled and distilled – just like jasmine flower. Gardenia is crushed to extract the oil and is distilled through effleurage process. The oil is only extracted from one species of Gardenia – Gardenia Jasminoides.
The extraction is a lengthy process. First, the essence is extracted and added into an odorless animal fat. Then the extraction is stored at room temperature for a few days. The separation process is initiated by adding alcohol. When alcohol is added, the animal fat leaves the scented oil.
Since it includes so many steps, it demands a lot more time and resources.
100% pure gardenia essential oils are expensive and rare to find.
Most of the times, users feel it is not necessary to know about the extraction method, but when purchasing the flower’s essential oil one needs to be cautious. There is a huge market of fake and synthetic essential oils.
Uses of Gardenia Essential oil
- Jaundice, Abscesses, and blood in urine:
Chinese herbal medicinal practitioners use gardenia oil to treat these infections.
- Gardenia Candle
It is no surprise that this enchanted smelling flower is a popular fragrant ingredient added to create candles. Its strong aroma works as a calming agent and smells divine when lit, and even when it is not lit. When diffused in a diffuser it can work as a sedative to treat insomnia.
- Potpourri
If you are thinking of creating a wonderful smelling potpourri, then try this. Add dried flowers, such as rose, lavender, pine cones and all the other dry components you wish to add. Once your potpourri is ready, add 5-6 drops of gardenia essential oil. A few drops will go a long way and you will be surprised to find such a stimulating smelling potpourri.
- Bath & soap
Essential oils are mostly used in baths and aromatherapy. Using this oil in a bath can prove to be a boosting yet calming soak. It will relax your muscles and boost your energy levels. However, if you are looking for a deep re-energized, revitalizing and rejuvenating soak, then add 10 drops of Gardenia essential oil, 8 drops of Lavender oil and soak yourself for 30 minutes.
Soaking can also relieve muscle pain and soothe inflammation caused by skin rashes or infection.
- Aphrodisiac use
You can use this to stimulate your partner or to spice up your sexual life. Use gardenia essential oil and massage it on inner thighs, on the back and on chest; it will boost low libido.
- Inhalation
There are various ways through which you can inhale this oil. Add a few drops in hot water and inhale the steam to cleanse lungs or simply diffuse in a diffuser. It is recommended that only 10 drops in a day should be diffused to treat respiratory issues, headaches, and sinus problems. If you are diffusing do not diffuse for more than 40 minutes of this oil.
- Compress
One of the best methods to use gardenia essential oil is to practice compress method. Take a soft fabric cloth or face towel and soak it in the solution consisting of 1 liter of hot water and 10 drops of gardenia essential oil. Place the soaked cloth on the areas infected until the cloth goes cold. Repeat the process at least 5 times to relieve muscle pain, to treat wounds, skin problems, and bruises.
- Facial Steam
Yes! This is incredibly effective in rejuvenating skin. But you can also use the facial steam method to relieve yourself from cold, flu, headache, and open blocked nose.
- Gardenia aromatherapy
Massaging the gardenia essential oil mixed in a moisturizing lotion can be boon. It can slow the process of aging, keep the skin supple and moisturized. Also, if you live in colder regions, then this gardenia formula can keep you warm and prevent you from getting effected with diseases. Regular use of this oil will keep cold, flu or fever at bay.
- Direct Palm Inhalation
If your nose is blocked or if you are affected by a severe cold attack, then add two drops directly on palm and inhale. This method can open your blocked nose and relieve you from cold and flu.
Gardenia Essential oil benefits
- It has mood elevation and calming properties
- Can relieve you from headaches and nausea
- Is powerful in treating fever, flu, and cold
- Can get rid of insomnia
- Can also be used to treat Hepatitis
- Useful in eradicating urinary infection and bladder infection
- Can also be used as Anti-bacterial, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory
- Can be used to treat Hemostatic
- Interstitial Cystitis
- It is also known to have aphrodisiac properties
Gardenia Essential Oil Recipes
Gardenia is considered a perfumery plant with a lot of fresh flowery smell, it is often used to create perfumes. Its smell is potent and is quite enchanting. But what a lot of people miss is that it also possesses massive medicinal benefits. Including the benefits and uses mentioned above.
A few main components of Gardenia plant contain Crocin, anti-oxidants that help in suppressing the formation of per-oxide lipids and other oxidative that stress in neurons. These properties can treat infections efficiently.
You can use the following recipes to treat skin infection, bladder infection, urinary infection, and so on.
Blend to treat bladder infections
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of gardenia essential oil
- 1 liters of water
Application:
Drink this water frequently at least for 5 days.
To spice up the recipe:
- Add 5 drops of Gardenia essential oil in one liter of water
- Add freshly sliced lemon and a few mint leaves
- Leave this water for at least 6 hours to retrieve flavor infused water
- Instead of normal water, consume this infused water and you will see the difference in just 2 days.
Blend to treat skin infection
Ingredients:
- 6 drops of gardenia essential oil
- 20 drops of carrier oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 3 drops of frankincense oil
- 2 drops of myrrh essential oil or ginger oil
Application:
Mix all the ingredients in a container and apply on the skin rashes or on the infected skin. Gardenia works as an anti-inflammatory agent, whereas, frankincense helps in restoring the skin, myrrh or ginger helps in killing the bacteria.
Gardenia Essential Oil Use Precautions
- Essential oils usually prove to have few side effects if used in a proper way, since they are potent and organic. There are no harmful chemicals added in essential oils. Gardenia essential oil is no different. The only thing to concern is if your skin is sensitive, you might have to be careful when applying directly on skin.
- Do a patch test before applying.
- Use a good carrier oil and in good amount if you are having sensitive skin.
- Yes agreed! A few essential oils can be harsh on skin but this might be because the user has not diluted the essential oil properly.
- A few people might be allergic to a few species of the plant, so know your skin and its allergies before choosing any essential oil for treatment.
- It is not recommended for pregnant women to use this oil in any form, neither topical not orally.
- Do not use on children without proper consultation from the doctor.
Gardenia Essential oil is an extremely useful oil with a lot of health and beauty benefits attached to it. Try to purchase essential oils that state “organic” or the label clearly illustrates the extraction method.
Sources and References
- Wikipedia Gardenia
- ITIS Report Gardenia remyi
