Dhok Malee | มะลิ | Jasminum sambac
Family: Oleaceae - Genus: Jasminum
Thai Jasmine can be found around the restaurant and restroom area of Eco-Logic Thailand.
The Sambac Jasmine is a species of jasmine native to Thailand. Jasmine grows as a small shrub or vine growing up to 0.5 to 3 meter in height. It is widely cultivated for its attractive and sweetly fragrant flowers. The flowers may be used as a fragrant ingredient in perfumes and jasmine tea. In Thailand this flower is also known as the mother's day flower.
Once the Jasmine has grown and started to bloom you can then start to harvest the flowers. The best time to harvest the flowers is during the early morning when the flowers are still tightly closed. Jasmine flowers the whole year through, but the real flowering season is between March and September.
THE SHRUB/VINE
Jasmine is a straggling, erect or climbing, evergreen vine or shrub that grows up to 3 meter.
THE LEAVES
Leaves are oval, smooth, and composed of two or more leaflets. However, some species have simple leaves.
They are smooth (glabrous) except for a few hairs at the venation on the base of the leaf.
THE FLOWERS
The flowers bloom all throughout the year and are produced in clusters of 3 to 12 together at the ends of branches. They are strongly scented. The flowers open at night (usually around 6 to 8 in the evening), and close in the morning, a span of 12 to 20 hours.
THE BERRIES
The ripe red fruit are edible and can be used for making jams.
NOTE: The unripe green fruit are toxic/poisonous.
CULINARY USES OF JASMINE
NOTE: Only the species Jasminum sambac is edible; all other jasmine species are poisonous.
Jasmine flowers are edible, primarily used in teas and flavoring; the flowers are also a source of an essential oil used as flavoring.
Flowers are also added to dry food stuff (tea, rice) for fragrance.
Flowers can be used to infuse simple syrups, and the syrups are used as a base for sorbets or ice cream or it can be poured over melons, figs and peaches.
Aromatic water prepared from the flowers is popular in Thai cookery, especially for making desserts.
NUTRITION
Jasmine tea has no nutrition value at all.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE OF BUTTERFLY PEA
NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.
Jasmine is said to :
Aids in Digestion, Reduces Body Odor, Induces Weight Loss, Reduces Stress, Clears Phlegm, Improves Blood Circulation, Alleviates Pain and Inflammation, Clears Phlegm, Suppresses the Growth of Tumor Cells, Enhances Libido, Heals Wounds and Infections, Aids in Relaxing Your Body, Regulates Cholesterol Levels in Blood, Makes Skin Soft, Camouflages Scars, Conditions Your Hair, Promotes Hair Growth, Reduces Lice Attack, Natural Antispasmodic
INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience
For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!
Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!
INTO THE WILD!
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