#Ulog 2 The Petals of Sampaguita

A strong fragrance touched my nose while I was passing by a shrubby yard. I looked down and as I was expecting, some sampaguita flowers fell on the ground. Many memories appeared in my mind and lasted for a couple of hours. To feed my curiosity, I browsed the internet to learn more about sampaguita. I am just expecting the history and Filipino culture because it's the national flower of the Philippines but I was really surprised after learning many things, from the shallowest details to the deeper meant.

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Sampaguita or Jasminum sambac

Jasmine

Various species relating to sampaguita belong to the genus Jasmine, in fact, its scientific name is Jasminum sambac. Philippines had adopted this name that extended to its movies and films. Many films used Jasmine as movie titles and as names of female characters.

Sampaguita

Filipino folks usually put legends to almost all popular features of nature, including the flower sampaguita. The term/name sampaguita came from "sumpa kita" meaning "I promise you". This is the definition came fronm the legend of Lakambini and Lakan Galing.

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The benefits of Sampaguita

We have already knew its term. Now this may be the best part of this blog, what are the benefits of sampaguita?

Relieves Stress

The scent of jasmine essential oil is so pleasing that it can decrease depression. It dictates the mind in such a condition of being happy and a little bit romantic. Its the main reasons why this flower was a big part of Philippine literature including the lyrics of songs. Serotonin, one of the hormones being awakened by this odor, boosts the energy and brighter mood. It has sedative effects which relaxes and comforts the mood of a person.

Vanishing Scar Marks

Jasmine essential oil is a cicatrizant, meaning it can help to disappear the after spots and scars by minor skin injuries such as boils and acne.

Reduces Cough

Having cough or cold? Try this oil that can promote the expulsion of mucus from the respiratory track and give a lighter feeling. It can help to clear the piling up of phlegm in the nasal passages that can prevent snoring too loud.

Nurse Insomnia

Aside from keeping your roommates from snoring, it can promote a deep sleep to yourself. Its properties as an expectorant, sedative, and antispasmodic can be a good combination for a long and peaceful sleep. Now you can cherish every sleep opportunities you have especially when your college.

Emmenagogue

A strange term right? But if you're a girl especially at puberty, you must know this property. Emmenagogue is an agent that promotes menstrual discharge. Shortly it is for the reduction of pain and bad mood and regulation of menstruation. So if you're a boy, hive it to them to avoid being slapped by bad mood girls.

Skin Health

If you do not know yet, Jasmine oil has been a treatment with skin problems, particularly in terms of brittle, dry, or dehydrated skin. However, it is not always advisable to apply it on open wounds. It may cause allergies or skin irritation. But still, it's been known as the treatment for dermatitis and eczema.

Treats Spasms

Jasmine essential oil is very good for treating and relaxing spasms. It provides quick relief from spasmodic coughs, cramps, congestion, asthma, breathlessness, and even spasmodic cholera. It also alleviates intestinal cramps and pains resulting from spasms in other parts of the body. Spasms can be dangerous, disruptive, and even deadly, so any substance that can alleviate this serious condition quickly should be respected.

Other benefits.

I cannot list all the discovered booms of sampaguita so I just put few that includes facilitating lactation, prevention of breast cancer, promoting and easing labor during child birth, anti inflammatory and uterine health. As a bonus, loving its fragrance can help people to quit the use narcotics.

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Deeper Sense

Now that we're finished with the physical or let's say literal and basic benefits, let us proceed to the deeper sense.

Filipino Culture

This cheap and common flower signifies the simplicity and purity of the Filipinos. In fact this is the national flower of the Philippines that when compared to other national flowers, it's not as flamboyant as rose of USA, plum blossom of China, lotus of Vietnam and nymphaea of Bangladesh.
Common children from community of older ages used to play with this flower. They create garlands, crowns, leis and corsages out of bundles of this flower. The ancestors on the other hand, do not play but used this in real life. Simple decoration like this can magnify the beauty of its bearer.

And Lastly...

In this age, sampaguita are now rare to be toys that can be seen on streets. A hot summer of young kids enjoying this flower is over. On cold and quiet November nights, these white petals appear in the dark atmosphere together with lights from the candles. I know you get what I mean. Yes, white flowers can portray death. They can be seen at burials of the loved ones that passed away. Its pleasant features give hope to those who were left, to give inspiration and motivation.

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Inspiration

I don't really saw a sampaguita. What I saw were assortments of flowers that has many petals of color white displayed. They look richer (because the people hosted the burial are non-poor persons) but one thing is missing, the scent. It is because my favorite feature of the flower is not look and appearance, but the smell that's so nice to breathe even I close my eyes. After visiting this time of grief, I was inspired to write this blog.

Farewell

Now I know that you learned how magical sampaguita is, I think you must never waste a single petal of it again! CHOOSE SIMPLICITY, CHOOSE SAMPAGUITA!