Flos Jasmini Sambac (Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait.)
Aliases：Mò Lì (Jasmine), Bái Mò Lì (White Jasmine), Xiǎo Nán Qiáng (Little Southern Strong), Nài Huā (Apple Flower), Mù Lí Huā (Wood Pear Flower), Sān Bái (Three Whites), Mǒ Lì Huā (Wipe Beautiful Flower), Yè Sù Xīn (Night Jasmine), Mán Huá (Garland Flower), Mò Lì (Jasmine)
Regulates qi to relieve pain, dispels foulness and relieves stagnation, and harmonizes the middle jiao to direct qi downward.
Efficacy & Actions
Mò Lì Huā (Jasmine Flower) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the flower of Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait., a plant of the Oleaceae family. Known as the "finest fragrance under heaven," jasmine is a flower with both ornamental and medicinal value, as well as culinary and spice uses. It is also included in Guangxi's list of local specialty medicinal and edible substances for use in food production.
Indications
Used for chest discomfort and epigastric distension due to damp-turbidity obstructing the middle jiao; diarrhea and abdominal pain; headache and dizziness; red and swollen eyes; and skin sores and ulcers. It is also used for hypochondriac fullness and pain due to liver qi stagnation.
Modern Pharmacology
Gastrointestinal Motility Promotion: Regulates gastrointestinal function. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory: Exhibits inhibitory effects against various bacteria, used for eye redness, sores, and ulcers. Sedative Effects: Has calming effects on the central nervous system; jasmine root has shown some efficacy in clinical studies for insomnia. Antioxidant Activity: Possesses antioxidant properties. Antiviral Activity: Research suggests certain antiviral effects.
Ingredients
Volatile Oils: Main active components, including linalool, benzyl acetate, methyl benzoate, cis-jasmone, jasmonic acid, methyl anthranilate, indole, and dozens of other compounds. Flavonoids: Including flavonoid, flavonol, and flavanone compounds. Phenylpropanoids: Including coumarin and umbelliferone. Organic Acids: Including benzoic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, standard dosage 3–10g; may also be steeped as tea. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for eye washing; or soaked in vegetable oil for ear drops. Daily Dosage Reference: As a medicinal and edible substance, the recommended daily intake should not exceed 3g (based on dry weight).
Contraindications
Pregnant and lactating women, and infants should avoid consumption. Use with caution in cases of internal fire excess and constipation. Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. Contraindicated for individuals allergic to jasmine.
Selected Formulas
For Damp-Turbidity with Epigastric Distension and Diarrhea (from Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1979) Take 6g Jasmine flower (added at the end), 10g green tea, and 6g Sweetflag Rhizome (Shí Chāng Pú). Decoct in water and take warm. For Abdominal Distension and Diarrhea (from Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook) Take 6g each of Jasmine flower and Magnolia Bark (Hòu Pò), 9g Costus Root (Mù Xiāng), and 30g Hawthorn Fruit (Shān Zhā). Decoct in water and take orally. For Headache and Dizziness (from Fujian Chinese Materia Medica) Take 15g Jasmine flower and 1 silver carp head. Stew in water and consume. For Red and Swollen Eyes (from Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1979) Take 6g Jasmine flower, 10g each of Groundsel (Qiān Lǐ Guāng) and Wild Chrysanthemum (Yě Jú Huā). Decoct in water for both fumigation/washing and internal consumption. For Red and Swollen Eyes with Photophobia and Tearing (from Chinese Medicinal Flowers) Take 6g each of Jasmine flower and Chrysanthemum (Jú Huā), and 9g Honeysuckle Flower (Jīn Yín Huā). Decoct in water and take orally. For Ear Pain (from Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1960) Soak Jasmine flowers in vegetable oil and apply drops into the ear. For Difficult Labor in Women (from Chai Yi‘s Shijian Bencao) Take 7 Jasmine flowers, steep them in hot water, and swallow both the flowers and the liquid.
Daily Consumption
Jasmine Tea: Steep 3–5g of dried jasmine flowers in boiling water, add sugar or honey to taste. Helps regulate qi, soothe the liver, and relieve depression. Jasmine Winter Melon Soup: 30g fresh jasmine flowers, 50g winter melon. Add jasmine flowers while cooking the soup. Helps relieve summer heat, clear heat, resolve dampness, and strengthen the spleen. Jasmine and Silver Ear Soup: Cook 25g silver ear into a soup, sprinkle with a few jasmine flowers before serving. Has auxiliary benefits for lung-heat cough and dry throat. Jasmine Congee: 60g fresh jasmine flowers, 50g rice. Add jasmine flowers when the congee is almost done. Soothes the liver, regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, and resolves dampness. Jasmine Chicken Cubes: Stir-fry chicken cubes, add jasmine flowers and goji berries before serving. Nourishing and strengthening.
Medicinal Parts
Dried flower (or flower bud).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry, airtight container in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture, mold, and loss of fragrance.