Patchouli essential oil has a sweet, rich, herbaceous aroma. It is known to be a powerful aphrodisiac and great to hydrate and nourish dry, wrinkled and mature skin. It is also useful to soothe nervous tension, stress, anxiety and depression.
- Latin Name
- Pogostemon Cablin
- Family
- Lamiaceae (Libiatae)
- Note
- Base
- Extraction
- Essential oil by steam distillation of the dried leaves.
- Constituents
- Patchouli alcohol, pogostol, bulnesol, nor patchoulenol, bulnese, patchoulene among others.
- Origin
- Indonesia
This perennial bushy herb plant can grow up to 1 metre in height, has a sturdy hairy stem, large fragrant leaves with white/purple flowers.
History
In Japan and Malaysia, Patchouli is used as an antidote for venomous snakebites, the plant and oil have a number of claimed health benefits in herbal folk-lore, and its scent is used with the aim of inducing relaxation. Chinese medicine uses the herb to treat headaches, colds, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It is believed that it helps prevent the spread of disease.
