How the Jasmine flower is connected to the Thai history

For a country as beautiful as Thailand is, it is inevitable that some of its history is connected to the fragrant and beautiful flowers that abound in this country, primary among which is the heavily fragrant Jasmine.

Apart from its multifaceted uses in religion, Thai cuisine and making of garlands the Jasmine Flower has been famously connected as the Thai connotation of the celebration of Mothers day. In fact the flower has interestingly been linked to the twin celebrations of the Thai mother’s day as a part of Her Majesty the queen Sirikit’s birthday.

The Thais associate the flower Jasmine, to that of the symbol of the selfless virtue of a mother who nurtures and gives life to her children, in the face of all the trouble she faces. The crushing of the Jasmine flower wherein it emits its most beautiful perfume is in fact linked to the selfless services of a mother who ensures the well being of her child even in the most arduous of circumstances.

Uses of the Jasmine flower in daily activities

Owing to the popularity of the Jasmine and its heady smell that is quite a favorite with the Thais, the flower has been used in ways more than one in the day to day life. It is cultivated on a large scale in Thailand and much of it is exported too. In the many years since its inception as a business proposition, many hybrid qualities with better fragrances and longer life spans have emerged of this delicate flower.

You will come across Jasmine fragrances, jasmine rice, Jasmine essence that is used to make sweet smelling delectable Thai desserts, Jasmine tea and of course for making garlands too. The flower is also used for worshipping the lord Buddha during various religious occasions. A visit to some of the Flower markets in Bangkok, will give you an idea of the popularity of these flowers which spread there beautiful smell even to the commercially busy Thai markets.

Jasmines are in the Thai gardens not only as ornamental flowers but also for their sweet fragrance which is especially noticeable at night when the flower unfurls. The flowers are also used to adorn the hair of Thai women as well as those in the entire and Southeast Asian region.

Some interesting information

• According to Thai tradition, at sunrise of the wedding day, the bride and groom make an offering of jasmine to Lord Buddha.

• Research in herbal medicine claims that daily consumption of Jasmine tea, is effective in preventing diseases like cancer.

• The Jasmine flower is soaked in water for some time. This releases a fragrant smell which is then used as essence in desserts.

• Jasmine was used as a traditional herbal remedy that is believed to help children with chicken pox. The flower is crushed and then mixed with rice water and then put in the bath of the patient for reduce itchiness. Alternatively it is also made into a drink for curing the disease altogether.