Patchouli

Botanical Name:                   Pogostemon patchouli
Synonym:                              P. Patchouly
Botanical Family:                  Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Country of Origin:                 Malaysia, Indonesia, India & China
Plant Part:                             Dried leaves
Extraction Method:               Steam distillation
Characteristics:                    earthy, rich, exotic, sweet, heady
Properties:                             
Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, deodorant, diuretic, febrifuge, fungicide, insecticide, sedative, tonic
Chemical Constituents:       
β-patchoulene, α-guaiene, caryophyllene, α-patchoulene, seychellene, α-bulnesene, norpatchoulenol, patchouli alcohol, posostol
 
Indications:
 
Mind & Spirit:                                   
 
	
Grounding
	
relieves anxiety, tension and depression
 
Body: 
                       
	
Great for skin conditions such as eczema, acne, scar tissue, burns and chapped skin
	
Useful for dandruff and an oily scalp. 
	
Effective for water retention and cellulite
	
Deodorising and has a beneficial effect on tinea.
 
Contraindications:                Nil
Note:                                     Base
Odour Intensity:                    7
Blends well with:                  
Bergamot, black pepper, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemongrass, mandarin, myrrh, neroli, orange, pine, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, tangerine, ylang ylang
 
Traditions:                 
Patchouli has long been used as a moth repellent in Asia.  This may well have been responsible for its introduction to Europe in the early 1800s.  At that time very costly imported Indian fabrics would arrive at the ports of Europe exuding the mysterious aroma of patchouli, then considered a hallmark of genuine oriental goods.
 
Patchouli is one of very few oils that, like fine wine, improve with age.  The dried leaves and stems are used in traditional Chinese medicine to normalise the flow and balance of the life force known as Chi.