BEST FOR OILY, BLEMISHED, MATURE & SENSITIVE SKIN

INGREDIENT FEATURES

anti-aging

antibacterial

antidepressant

antifungal

anti-infectious

anti-inflammatory

antimicrobial

antiseptic

antiviral

aphrodisiac

astringent

balancing

calmative

deodorant

digestive stimulant

immune tonic

insect repellent

sedative

sexual tonic

tissue regenerator

USER BENEFITS

balances oil production

calms the nervous system

cools the skin

deodorizes

deters insects

detoxifies

diminishes swelling

encourages cell regeneration

enhances sexual performance

firms and contracts exposed tissue

helps alleviate stress and nervous tension

helps heal burns and wounds

improves mood

increases sexual desire

minimizes stretch marks

moisturizes

neutralizes fungi

neutralizes insects

neutralizes microbes

neutralizes parasites

prevents moisture loss

promotes sleep

promotes the healing of tissues

purifies

reduces redness

reduces scarring

regenerates

relieves stress

settles digestion

stimulates the immune system

stimulates the nervous system

strengthens the nervous system

strengthens veins

tones and restores venous circulation

uplifts

active

fragrance

patchouli-essential-oil-square.jpg

Plant: Pogostemon cablin

Family: Labiatae (Lamiaceae)

Origin: India, Indonesia

Form: essential oil by steam distillation

Parts: young leaves + shoots

SKIN TYPES

FEATURES + BENEFITS

AROMATHERAPY

CHEMISTRY

FUNCTION IN PRODUCT

APPLICATIONS + USES

FRAGRANCE

REFERENCES

DESCRIPTION

ABOUT THE PLANT

Pogostemon cablin is an aromatic, perennial shrub growing to the height of 3 feet with erect stems, large green leaves and small white-pink flowers. Native to the tropic regions of Asia it is now extensively cultivated in Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, China, India, Mauritius, some Caribbean countries, West Africa and Vietnam.

The Patchouli plant is a member of the mint family and is a good crop for agroforestry; it can be planted among young or even mature plantations of coconut, rubber, citrus or coffee. The common name patchouli is derived from the Tamil word, paccilai, meaning "green leaf" and the species name from the Philippine vernacular cablin. In India patchouli is referred to as puchapat.

Because the scent is developed by oxidation, the succulent leaves of this pretty East Indian bush carry little indication of their potential.

ABOUT THE OIL

For essential oil production, the plant is cut two or three times per year, with the best quality oil derived from leaves harvested in the wet season. The leaves are hand picked, bundled or baled, and allowed to partially dry in the shade and ferment for a few days before the oil is extracted via steam distillation. The fermentation process softens the plant’s cell walls, allowing for the extraction of the oil.

Patchouli is a scent people tend to either love or hate; it is very earthy, with an aroma that deepens and improves with age. It is one of only a few essential oils that improves with age, the others being Cedarwood, Frankincense, Sandalwood and Vetiver. A properly aged product is much more desirable than a fresh one – over time, the oil looses a harshness that many find distasteful, and adds a sweet top note. As it ages, the oil turns from light yellow to a deep amber, with the aroma becoming smoother and more rich. It is an exotic aroma that can forever leave an imprint on the olfactory memory.

As it ages, the translucent yellow oil turns syrupy brown as it develops its distinctive fragrance, so popular in the 1960s.

Many people have never smelled the high-quality oil, which is used in famous perfumes

OF INTEREST

Long used as a perfume and insect repellent, traded goods originating in Asia, including clothing and textiles, were permeated with the scent of patchouli to repel moths and insects. Patchouli was popularized in the early 1800's in Europe, when it was used to fragrance paisley scarves and costly woven goods from India. The oil has been used in India for years for medicinal purposes, but chiefly as an aphrodisiac and to perfume cloth. In fact, the aroma of Patchouli in homepsun cloth was so pervasive that garment makers importing their wares were obliged to scent their imitations for the local marketplace.

Today the essence of patchouli remains a very popular scent and is a traditional ingredient in love potions. The oil is widely used in Asia for incense, body and garment perfumes, insect repellents and sprinkled in temples. Arabs have used it to perfume carpets, Indians textiles and the Chinese have produced a perfumed ink from it for use on scrolls. Also extensively used in the food industry in alcoholic and soft drinks, it makes a good masking agent for unpleasant tastes and smells.

Patchouli alcohol

α-Vulnesene (δ-guaiene)

α-Guaiene

Seychellene

δ-Pathoulene

α-Patchoulene

β-Caryophyllene

1(10)-Aromadendrene

β-Patchoulene

Pogostol

( – )-allo-Aromadendrene

δ-Cadinene

Patchouli essential oil’s high percentage of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are what account for its anti-inflammatory properties, and Pogostone is responsible for the bactericidal properties of the oil.

grounding | arousing | enriching

Key Word: COMPROMISE

CHAKRA: BASE

Today, Patchouli essential oil has a well-deserved reputation in aromatherapy. With its deep, musky, and sweet odor coupled with its Earth and Fire balancing energy, it is relaxing yet stimulating. Although an aphrodisiac, it helps insomnia and counters nervousness and depression by putting problems into perspective and releasing pent-up emotions.

encourages:

farsightedness

rapport

invigoration

reasonableness

lucidity

astuteness

stimulation

Energetics

warming

moistening

calming

grounding

centering

balancing

Neutral Temperature

Dry

Main Element: Earth (& Fire)

Ayurveda

Excellent for conditions of excess wind or where the Vata dosha are present

Works against excess heat or Pitta dosha in the body and mind

TCM

For people with a deficiency of Qi in the spleen and pancreas

neutral temperature

dry

MAIN ELEMENT: EARTH (& FIRE)

Subtle Aromatherapy

Patchouli is considered a great balancer, relaxing yet stimulating, and particularly relevant for conditions of weak immunity where overwork and anxiety have left the individual in a susceptible state. It may help ground and stabilize the the overanxious mind, bringing one back to one's body. It is said to bring the three principal forces at work within the body into harmony – Creative at the navel, Heart, and Transcendental Wisdom at the crown.

Long considered an aphrodisiac, it may work through relaxation to re-establish a connection to one's sensuality. The aroma also uplifts and has been considered to bring about a sense of spiritual nourishment.

As if this were not enough, Patchouli is thought to be a bringer of prosperity and abundance. Perhaps by allowing one to open to these possibilities energetically, the oil is used in ceremonies and prayers by those in need of financial or other type of infusion in their lives. One may simply close their eyes, imagine the abundance they need, and inhale the oil’s aroma for a few seconds.

PERFUMERY

Patchouli is used as a base note and fixative in perfumery, being a component in many famous perfumes. As a fixative, it slows the evaporation of other, more volatile oils so that their aroma may be released over a longer period of time. A little goes a long way and is used in natural perfume blends, adding that special deep and earthy aroma. A good Patchouli should display a rich rootlike note with a delicate earthiness and should not include 'mold-like' or 'musty' dry odors.

AROMA NOTES

sweet

warm

earthy

musky

spicy

almost wine-like, ethereal-floral sweetness in the initial notes

extremely rich

sweet herbaceous

smoky

musky

heavy

earthy

spicy

vanilla-like

woody balsamic

rich root-like note with a delicate earthiness

most distinctive

One of the few essential oils that improves with age.

Blends well with almost all common oils including: Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Coriander, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Labdanum, Lavender, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Myrrh, Neroli, Oakmoss, Opopanax, Orange, Rose Absolute, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville and Miny Green

Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils by Gabriel Mojay

Essential Oil Safety, Second edition by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young

Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin by Steffen Arctander

The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Second Edition by Salvatore Battaglia

The Fragrant Heavens, the Spiritual Dimension of Fragrance and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism