Organic Essential Oil - Patchouli

Latin name: Pogostemon Cablin

Part of the plant used: dried leaves

Source: India

Extraction method: steam distillation

Organic patchouli essential oil is extracted from the Pogostemon cablin plant of the mint family and has a rich sweet, spicy, musky scent. The plant is native to Malaysia and India, where it is known as 'puchaput'. The word patchouli is derived from the Tamil 'pachchaiilai' which simply means 'green leaf'. Patchouli oil is extracted from young leaves, which are dried and fermented before steam distillation. This oil improves its fragrance and potency with age. It is highly valued in skin care, especially for scarring.

In Eastern countries, patchouli oil is used in potpourri and sachets among clothes and linen for fragrance, as well as to keep bed bugs and insects away. The oil is said to have a balancing effect on emotions and create a loving atmosphere. When used in an oil burner, it relieves anxiety and depression. Used in bath water, it is believed to help with skin and scalp complaints, fungal infections, fluid retention, break down cellulite and relieve constipation. It has excellent tissue regeneration properties, accelerates healing and fights infections. Therefore, it helps with acne, eczema, sores, ulcers and athlete's foot.

It seems that patchouli was placed among the Indian cashmere shawls before being sent to Victorian England, to protect the goods from moths. Without this characteristic smell of dried patchouli leaves, the shawls could not be sold in England. In Europe and America, patchouli oil and incense were immensely popular in the 60s and 70s among hippies, as the smell of patchouli covered body odor and the smell of burning cannabis. Patchouli was used as a hair conditioner for dreadlocks. In many Asian countries, patchouli is also used as an antidote to snakebite.