Jasmine belongs to the large olive family (Oleaceae); the flowers are white to pale yellow and extremely fragrant. They open nightly to release their beautiful scent.

The flowers are picked and used fresh for oil extraction, as flavourings, or dried for infusions, medicated oil, pastes, and powders.

The most commonly used varieties of chamomile are Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) and German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, syn. M. recutita). Though we do use both, we favour the German variety, known as chamomile blue and scented mayweed.

It is a sweetly scented annual or biennial with branched stems and finely divided leaves. Daisy-like flowers are produced from early summer to autumn. Flowers are collected when first fully opened and used in many ways.

Both flowers have a relaxant effect in aromatherapy.

We make our infusion by steeping the flowers in hot, boiled water. This is strained and added to our Dreamtime temple balm for its calming, relaxing effect on the senses.