Gardenia essential oil is extracted from the gardenia flower, a cousin of your favorite morning pick-me-up coffee, that has a floral scent very close to that of jasmine. Gardenia oil is used as an antioxidant, to reduce swelling, and to improve the immune system, and when applied to the skin, helps with wound healing, sprains, and muscle soreness. Gardenia is also a well known aphrodisiac (similar to ylang ylang) so the bar is a must for romantic bathing.