The Scent Guide: What Does Jasmine Smell Like?

Jasmine, or “Yasmin” in Arabic, means fragrant flower. In Persia, jasmine means the “gift from God.” White jasmine flowers symbolize purity, love and beauty, often adorning a bride’s bouquet and wedding garlands. And in Thailand, jasmine flowers are associated with a mother’s unconditional love and are a symbol of respect. In many cultures, its symbol of purity is associated with other religious ceremonies, from joyous celebrations to even funerals. It goes without saying, but jasmine is cherished and revered throughout the world. 

But from an aromatic point of view, what does jasmine smell like? In this guide, we explore the scent of the wonderfully sensual jasmine flower and where it is derived from, as well as scents it pairs nicely with and complementing aromas. Plus, we offer a list of some of our popular natural soy wax-based candles with jasmine scents. 

What Is Jasmine?

Jasmine, or Jasminum grandiflorum (Oleaceae), is a flowering shrub and vine, as well as a member of the olive tree family. Jasmine comes in over 200 species, mostly from warmer tropical and subtropical regions of Eurasian and Oceanian countries. 

The jasmine shrub and its vines, which can live for up to 15 to 20 years, are widely cultivated for their flowers and used in a variety of perfumes, lotions, soaps and even infused into green tea for added complexity to the taste. Some jasmine plants are deciduous and lose their leaves each year, while others are evergreens. Some jasmine vines are wanderers, climbing trellises and other trees up to 30 feet high, and other jasmine bushes are more narrow and straight to around 15 feet. Still, however the jasmine grows, it produces a flower with smooth, slender stems and a star-shaped bloom. 

This star-shaped jasmine flower can be found in either a yellow or white hue, growing in clusters with a trio of blooms or more. While the bloom is shaped like a star, the jasmine’s leaves are just as beautiful. Some are more minimal and defined, while some are more ornate, sometimes with a swirling pinnate of nine alternating leaves.

What Does Jasmine Smell Like?

Jasmine lends a floral scent that is rich and sweet. To some, jasmine alone is almost too sweet of an aroma. However, when combined with other scents, it is just the right touch. 

Jasmine is also considered very sensual. In fact, jasmine is often described as being intoxicating and even exotic. Due to its carnal qualities, jasmine is considered an aphrodisiac in some cultures. Hindus and Muslims regard jasmine as the perfume of love, used for relaxing the body and lowering emotional borders, both of which are needed when engaging in intimacy. 

Jasmine is so often associated with sensuality, love and the like that there is a legendary tale centered around this flower. Essentially, it involves a Tuscan gardener guarding his precious jasmine plant, refusing to let others cut from it. Once the jasmine finally bloomed, he presented it to a woman he was in love with and she was so charmed by it that she agreed to marry him. 

The jasmine flower, although it seems to have a feminine nature, is actually a fragrance that can be worn or appreciated by anyone. Male, female and non-binary alike, the jasmine scent can be added to a variety of other scents, complementing and accentuating it into something truly special.

Enjoy the Smell of Jasmine? Check Out Our Summer Candle Scents

Jasmine and Its Aromatic Benefits

Jasmine is suggested to have many benefits, affecting your mood, energy levels and more. So if you are feeling a bit blue or need a boost of energy, lighting a Homesick candle with notes of jasmine can help make your day better and brighter. So just what are some of the benefits? Let’s go into detail:

Jasmine Lifts the Spirits

Jasmine, like many aromatherapy scents, has been linked with reducing depression and improving mental health. In one study, jasmine oil was found to increase blood oxygen levels, blood pressure and even the breathing rate of participants. Overall, it gave them a sense of being more alert, vigorous and ready to take on the day. With this sensation, jasmine oil was concluded to be stimulative for alleviating depressive symptoms, lifting the spirits and more. 

A similar study by the Journal of Health Research found the same results that point to mental health benefits. In the study, it was found inhaling jasmine oil affected the central nervous system and stimulated brain activity, enhancing and boosting the participants’ moods. Overall, each participant reported feeling more energetic and positive.

Jasmine Gives You an Energy Boost

Since jasmine does increase blood oxygen levels and affects the central nervous system, it gives off another benefit: boosting your energy. With many of the similar reasons pointed out in the study, jasmine not only lifts your spirits but your energy as well. Not only does jasmine make you feel better, but it gives some pep to your step. 

That’s why, when you head to the spa, many masseuses reach for jasmine oil as an aromatherapy massage. In fact, one particular study proved this head-on, analyzing how a massage used with jasmine-infused oil affected someone. When each participant’s massage was complete, they had an increased breathing rate and a higher oxygen level in the bloodstream. But that’s not all! It was also found that each person given the massage has an increase in their systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which is a sign of physical arousal. 

So, what does this mean? It means if you can’t make it to the spa when you need a mental or physical boost, light a jasmine candle instead. It can give you just the extra oomph you need, even in lieu of caffeine from your second or third cup of coffee of the day.

In addition, participants in both studies also reported feeling romantic. And when you combine energy and physical arousal with romance, well, the rest is implied. And this leads us to the next benefit.

Jasmine Is an Ancient Aphrodisiac

As mentioned earlier, jasmine has been used as an aphrodisiac for many centuries. And with the previously listed benefits, it’s no surprise why. Ultimately, jasmine offers a sense of calm to anxiety and depression-like symptoms, paired with its ability to provide an energy boost. While these seem like contradictions, the two benefits create a harmonious balance, making you feel, in a word, passionate.  

If a romantic-like scent is what you’re in the mood for, it’s worth mentioning ylang-ylang is quite similar on the aphrodisiac scent scale. 

Although, it’s about much more than romantic love. Jasmine is also about the unconditional love of a mother and the love of a cherished and honored family member. It transcends physical love, sometimes feeling like a warm embrace by a loved one. And it’s for this reason that jasmine offers just as powerful of a spiritual boost as it does a mental and physical one. 

Scents That Pair Well with Jasmine

Since jasmine is a sweeter scent, it can be toned down with a variety of scents and notes. As you search for a candle or reed diffuser with jasmine, you will find it paired with specific base notes and mid notes, adding a foundation to its oh-so-rich sweetness. 

Frankincense

Jasmine pairs exceptionally well with frankincense, another ancient aroma with a lot of history. With its aromatic, earthy scent, frankincense adds depth to jasmine’s stronger, sweetly floral scent. United, these two fragrances offer a carefree harmony. As jasmine breaks down emotional barriers and lifts the spirits, frankincense allows us to let go of physical attachments, each offering complete freedom and liberation. 

If you appreciate the toned-down earthiness of frankincense, sandalwood is a nice alternative, too. Both offer a musky, smoky quality that is both spiritual and liberating. 

Eucalyptus

Spearmints and eucalyptus also offer a vibrant green punch that pairs well with jasmine. What does eucalyptus smell like? Eucalyptus gives off a minty, camphorous scent that is considered sharp and highly pungent. Similar to mint, inhaling eucalyptus is great for sinuses, while offering subtle hints that remind you of taking a walk through the forest. Eucalyptus also offers many of the same aromatherapy benefits as jasmine, being a relaxing scent that helps you unwind and calm the mind. With these scents combined, you can enjoy meditation or mindfulness exercise or simply soak and indulge in a warm bath before heading to bed.  

Citrus Scents

Since some varieties of eucalyptus give off a citrusy scent and jasmine comes from many warm, tropical climates, it should be to little surprise citrus scents pair well with jasmine, too. Lemon, grapefruit and orange-like scents are perfect for pairing with jasmine, lending a bright note to an otherwise deeply sensual floral bouquet. 

Roses and Other Florals

However, if you appreciate a more robust floral bouquet, there are many blooms that complement jasmine, too. Roses, in fact, make a lovely pairing with jasmine. In fact, both jasmine and rose are considered two “foundation stones” of perfumery and other scented products. Next to the classic smell of a rose, there is bergamot, geranium and helichrysum.   

Give the Perfect Gift to Your Mother with a Mom Candle

Homesick Candles with Jasmine Notes

Love the scent of jasmine? Whether you enjoy this floral essence for its calming properties or are looking to spark more than a wick in the bedroom, Homesick offers the best natural soy wax candles you’ll find. 

Discover a collection of some of Homesick’s jasmine-scented candles below. Each candle offers a varying degree of the sweet jasmine scent, from grounding base notes and top notes hints, allowing you to find the perfect match. Plus, we list a few candles with similar benefits.

Mom Candle

On Mother’s Day (or any other day!), let your mom know how much you appreciate everything she’s ever done for you with the Thank You, Mom candle! With a mid note of jasmine, this candle’s scent matches your mom’s unconditional love and Sunday breakfasts with freshly made bacon. It’ll make you feel like you're sitting right at her kitchen table, chatting about life and soothing your worries. Base notes of sandalwood and lily accentuate and elevate the jasmine. 

Summer Candle Scents 

Since jasmine comes from warmer climates, it also can bring back memories of fun-filled vacations. Check out summer candle scents like the Summer Camp Candle. Featuring brighter top notes of grass, lemon and lime along with jasmine mid notes, it smells like you’re picnicking in a meadow blooming with wildflowers. Amber and sandalwood base notes ground the jasmine, lending a woodsy warmth like a campfire.  

New Home Candle

Are you looking for the perfect gift for a new homeowner? The housewarming candle offers a thoughtful and practical gift to someone who’s transforming an empty house into a lively home. Harmonizing with cedarwood, top notes of jasmine offer a hint of sweetness, while sandalwood and oakmoss lend an air of charm that speaks of Craftsman-style bungalows and mailboxes. 

Love Letters Candle

As John Donne once wrote: “Letters mingle souls.” Essentially romance infused in wax, the Love Letters Candle features top notes of jasmine and rose petals that call to mind a shoebox of memories filled with envelope-protected Polaroids and mementos, recalling old flames that still hold a place in your heart. But just like Jasmine's therapeutic properties, this candle is more like a warm embrace of a dear friend, not necessarily a romantic one. 

Find the Perfect Jasmine Scented Candle

If you love the sweet smell of Jasmine, Homesick is sure to offer something you’ll love. Whether you adore this sweet scent entirely or want to tone it down with the musky, earthy aroma of frankincense or sandalwood, there are many more candles in our collection – as well as diffusers and car fresheners. Discover a jasmine-scented candle to invoke memories and more.

 

Image Credits:

Kerdkanno/Shutterstock.com

WildStrawberry/Shutterstock.com

Fablok/Shutterstock.com

Sippman12's/Shutterstock.com

Lena Ivanova/Shutterstock.com

Antonova Ganna/Shutterstock.com