Jasmine, Grandiflorum, India (Absolute)

Jasmine oil is not distilled. The flowers do not survive steam, and what reaches a dispensary as jasmine is an absolute, made by solvent extraction. Jasminum grandiflorum is also a different species from Jasminum sambac, Arabian jasmine, and the two absolutes are not interchangeable.

01 · Origin

A climbing shrub of the olive family, Oleaceae, grown across South Asia for garlands, worship and perfumery. This absolute is produced in India from the blossoms of Jasminum grandiflorum.

02 · Process

The flowers are picked as they open and extracted while fresh. Solvent extraction yields a waxy concrete. Washing the concrete with alcohol and removing the waxes gives the absolute. Benzyl acetate and benzyl benzoate lead. Linalool, cis-jasmone and indole follow, with isophytol and phytyl acetate in the heavier fraction.

03 · In Practice

Warm, sweet and floral, with an animalic depth from indole. A heart note in natural perfumery and a tenacious fixative. Used in very small proportion in perfumery, skincare formulation and massage blends. Blends with sandalwood, rose, neroli, bergamot, sweet orange, vetiver and ylang ylang.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.