At first glance, patchouli is somewhat unimpressive. She doesn’t wow you with her leaves and her purple flowery display is hardly ordinary. But don’t judge a book by its cover, for patchouli’s power isn’t nestled in an outer appearance. Her true sensual powers are in the scent of her oil, and she will seduce your senses, triggering a range of physical responses, including surfacing your amorous side. Hence her popularity amongst the hippies during the 1960s and 1970s, for as an aphrodisiac, patchouli was very well received in a time of free love and poor personal hygiene.
But the history of patchouli starts way back. The plant was originally discovered in India but isn’t native to the eastern country, and it is believed that it was brought to Indian shores all the way from the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, or Indonesia, where it grows wild. The word patchouli means green leaf in Tamil. The exotic term stuck as it was coupled with the allure of the scent so often found on shawls imported to Europe through Eastern trade during the 1800s. These shawls were worn by the most elite in society, including Josephine, who was gifted one by her lover, Napoleon Bonaparte.
The history of the European shawl trade and that of patchouli is complexly woven, unveiling a mesmerizing pattern, but let’s not get sidetracked, for there is much more the essence has to offer!
Fun Facts About Patchouli
- There was a time when patchouli was so sought-after that European traders were willing to part with a pound of gold in exchange for a pound of patchouli.
- It is often referred to as the most divisive scent: either you love it or hate it.
- The scent does wonders at masking body odor and was used as a body deodorant, adding to its popularity among hippies.
- Some believe the aroma does far more than draw love and romance, as it is also associated with attracting good fortune and wealth in abundance.
Extraction and Profile
Patchouli oil has a thick consistency and a deep amber, almost brown color, with a very strong accompanying aroma of earthy tones coupled with a woody scent. Its fragrance is often described as sweet, strong, and intoxicating.
The plant has a lifespan of roughly three years and during harvest time, leaves and stems are cut with shears and left to dry before being steam distilled to extract the oil. The lengthy process of distillation and preparation of patchouli essential oil is one of the main contributing factors to its rather heavy price tag.
A Bouquet of Benefits
Patchouli is a preferred ingredient in the world of cosmetics and perfumery and is widely used in soaps, detergents, bath products, hand and nail creams, aromatherapy, incenses, balms, and cosmetics.
- Silence the buzz of mosquito attacks: Not only does the scent of patchouli keep mosquitoes away, studies also reveal that it repels termites and can keep unwanted creepy crawlies from your garden. The best way to test this for yourself is to add a couple of drops of the oil to water in a spray can and apply it to problem areas, whether it is your garden, home, or skin.
- It instills a state of deep relaxation: Patchouli oil works on the olfactory senses, triggering a deep sense of relaxation, which can contribute to improved sleep quality. For this, you can add a few drops to oil in an oil burner, or if you want to play it even safer, add some drops to carrier oil and massage it into your skin.
- Restore hormonal balance: The strong scent of the oil triggers your brain to release more dopamine and can therefore lift depression, instill a greater sense of calm, and improve your overall mood. Through the same neurological impact, it serves as an effective aphrodisiac and is believed to be a helpful aid to improve libido and is even believed to be a helpful remedy to cure erectile dysfunction.
- Excellent cleaning product: The oil flaunts strong antimicrobial properties, can combat the growth of bacteria and fungi, and is therefore an effective tool to not only clean your home but also fight off infection.
- Soothes skin: The astringent properties of the oil slow down aging and can leave you with a youthful appearance. It also encourages new cell generations, while its antifungal side can ease the symptoms of athlete’s foot.
- Eases inflammation: Patchouli has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the count of microphage cells associated with inflammation. Pre-treatment is recommended, but it can also ease pain and discomfort caused by inflammation when it is already present.
- Snuffs body odor: Not only does the oil kill off bacteria causing body odor, but it also masks smells with its strong musky, spicy scent. Just add 1-2 drops to your body lotion and apply to your armpits as a much-needed way to stop humiliating odors from robbing your confidence.
- Reduce scars: The oil’s inherent properties support skin renewal and can reduce scar tissue caused by wounds, acne, boils, or measles. Mix a few drops with carrier oil and apply daily.
- A natural diuretic: As active components penetrate your skin and enter circulation, they spread across the entire body, including your kidneys. Here, it supports the kidneys to clear the body of excess water, salt, and toxins, causing reduced water retention through increased urination.
- Brings pain relief: Studies found that inhaling the scent of patchouli may bring about pain relief, but it can also be the result of improved inflammation.
- Slows down aging: While patchouli can help you secure a younger appearance, it is also believed to be a wonderful agent to detect and discard free radicals present internally, which speeds up aging.
With so many benefits in store, it is easy to get carried away, but never apply pure essential oil directly to the skin as it can cause irritation. Keep in mind that patchouli has the potential to impact blood clotting and is best avoided when you have surgery scheduled, are on blood-thinning medication, or have a bleeding disorder. Also, use it with caution and under medical supervision when you’re pregnant. Never consume any essential oil orally.
