The Greeks believed the scent of Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) able to transport a person to the land of Elysium where joy could be found. Scientific investigation into Gardenia & its extracts have found some confirmation in this Greek myth, as they found it to poses antidepressant activity and to promote quality sleep.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Gardenia is known as Zhi Zi and is used for a number of conditions including supporting the mood, including stress, anxiety, irritability, delirium and depression, as well as insomnia.
Interestingly, gardenia contains the yellow pigment, famously known from saffron, called crocin (as well as crocetin). It is often the source for extraction due to lower cost and other attributes. Other activities reported for Gardenia include antioxidant, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antigastric, hepatoprotective, antiarthriitis, neuroprotective, antihyperlipidemia, and visual health benefits.
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Photo by Mohan Nannapaneni