Jasminum officinale Oleaceae

The highly scented essential oil is used in perfumes and aromatherapy. To make jasmine cough linctus, cover 180g (6oz) of freshly-picked jasmine flowers with 570ml (1 pint) boiling water, stir and leave to infuse for 12 hours. Then, strain the liquid into a jug, stir in 225g (8oz) clear honey and pour it into a clean screw-top bottle and keep in a cold place. Administer 1 to 2 tablespoons as required.

Aromatherapists use jasmine essential oil in courses of treatment to cure depression as it has an uplifting effect. A few drops in a warm bath or burned in an essential oil burner would be beneficial.