# What Is the Importance of the Jasmine Flower?
Jasmine flowers come from plants in the genus Jasminum, which contains about 200 species and is part of the Oleaceae or olive family. Jasmine plants can be twining or shrubby, with the twining varieties bearing fragrant white flowers. Jasmine flowers have long been used for cosmetics, medicine and ornamentation.
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Characteristics
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Jasmine flowers are typically twisted when in the bud. Individual blooms contain four or nine petals apiece, depending on species. The petals fuse into a tube at the base of each blossom. Insects attracted by their sweet scent pollinate them.
Scent
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In the Middle East and India, jasmine flowers have been cultivated specifically for their scent since ancient times. More recently, Jasminum grandiflorum has been raised extensively in France for use in perfumes. Dried jasmine flowers are used in India to scent tea.
Other Uses
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A syrup of jasmine flowers combined with a sweetener has been used historically for coughs, hoarseness and chest complaints. In India, double-flowered forms are sacred to the god Vishnu and are traditionally strung into garlands for guests.
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