Jasmine

The flowers of several jasmine species are the

source of the aromatic jasmine oil (oleum

jasmini), which contains eugenol and plays an

important role in the perfume industry (cf.

essential oils). Moreover, two African species have

been reported to have psychoactive effects. In

Abyssinia, the leaves of Jasminum floribundum R.

Br. (known as hab el tsalim) are used as an

"inebriating agent"; the leaves of Jasminum

abyssinicum R. Br. are used in Eritrea for the same

purpose (Hartwich 1911, 811 *). The constituents

are unknown. Gelsemium sempervirens is also

known as yellow jasmine.