Its name comes from the Persian word ‘yasmin’ meaning gift from God.
Cultivated versions are also sold as houseplants. Many gardeners add jasmine to flower gardens or grow them in pots on the deck or patio to scent the night air.
Jasmine is believed to be both an antidepressant and an aphrodisiac making it a popular scent in the bedroom. Jasmine is also thought to be a sedative and sleep aid.