Wild jasmine (clerodendrum)

The Jasminum comes from a family of shrubs and vines, which largely make up the olives. There are approximately 200 different species of the Jasminum, among which only one originated from Europe.

The rest of them have their origins linked to the tropical areas of Asia, Australia, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean.

The name Jasmine is derived from the Persian language, and it was originally called Yasameen, which means “a gift from God.”

Apart from the people who have large Jasmine farms for either the flowers or the berries, many others keep it as a house plant. Women in Southeast Asia are often seen with the Jasmine flower in their hair as part of their daily dressing.

More than just a decorative piece, the flower from the plant is also largely used in China and Japan to prepare the Jasmine tea, which the Chinese fondly refer to as Jasmine flower tea, and the Japanese “sanpin cha”.

In most of the Asian countries, especially in India, the Jasmine has great cultural importance. The flowers are used during domestic rituals, such as marriage ceremonies, and also during religious festivals as when the lord Jagannath is bathed in water scented with Jasmine.