July is dressed up and playing her tune
I love the sweet scent of jasmine on a hot summer evening as I sit on the porch and drink an ice-cold glass of water and listen to the breeze gently blowing and rustling the tree leaves. It’s one of my favorite pastimes. The jasmine sits in a comfortable spot in a container on my porch and runs up a small trellis. Every time I think of jasmine, I think of the Seals and Crofts song with some of the lyrics evident in the blog title and photo caption.
Not only is the sweet scent pleasant on a summer evening but scientists have discovered that the fragrance of jasmine could potentially help replace medication for sleep, anxiety, stress, and a host of other modern day illnesses.
It has been determined that jasmine can
-Reduce anxiety and nervous tension
-Boost mood and improve cognitive performance and alertness
-Improve sleep quality
-Balance hormones
-Treat hot flashes and mood swings
-Increase libido
Scientists who conducted tests on laboratory mice discovered that the fragrance of jasmine augments the effects of a chemical named GABA on nerve cells. This chemical reaction is what helps relieve anxiety and stirs up the desire to be still and at rest.
Being in nature naturally reduces anxiety and stress and it has been found that there is a correlation between stress and oxygen levels. Adding the soothing aroma of jasmine can positively impact mental health and improve your mood in general.
Now if only my bedroom window was closer to the jasmine.