via the April edition of American Spa Magazine - Megan O’Neill Sensual, stress-relieving, and skin-softening jasmine. F O R S U C H A SMALL, UNASSUMING, AND simple blossom, the jasmine flower has certainly been imbued with some serious symbolism. In India, jasmine is used in rituals like marriage, Puja (prayer), and holy festivals. In Indonesia, it’s revered as a sign of love and sensuality. In Thailand, jasmine flowers symbolize motherhood, and in China, jasmine was used as a flower of peace during pro-democracy protests. Jasmine is also seen as a state and national symbol in Hawaii, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines. So why all the fuss about this tiny white flower? Much of the plant’s power probably lies in its scent. The blossoms open only in the evening—as the temperature in its native Mediterranean and Asian climates begins to drop—and produce a distinct aroma that’s appreciated by both women and men around the world. “I believe jasmine to be