Essential Oil Database

Photo: Pogostemon Cablin

Patchouli

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Pogostemon Cablin

Family Name:

Lamiaceae

Source Country:

Indonesia

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Pinene, bulnesene, elemene, patchoulol, gaiene, caryophyllene, carboxyl acid, benzaldehyde

Botanical Description

Photo: Pogostemon Cablin

Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) is native to tropical Asia, and cultivated in tropical climes worldwide. It is a perennial plant commonly known as Patchouli growing up to 1 meter tall. Patchouli leaves are oval and the small white flowers grow on small spikes.

Patchouli is a herb traditionally used as an incense, an insect repellent, in the perfumery industry, and used in Chinese medicine.

Photo: Pogostemon Cablin

Fragrance

Patchouli essential oil has a warm, musky, sweet and spicy scent.

Patchouli is a pale yellow to dark brown liquid (oil improves with age).

Patchouli blends well with basil, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, geranium, juniper, lavender, myrrh, neroli, pine, rose, sandalwood and vetiver.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Pogostemon Cablin

Properties: analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, cicatrizant, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, fungicidal, insecticide, nervine, sedative, tonic.

Aids: relaxation

Alleviates: acne, athletes foot, dandruff, depression, dermatitis, eczema, impetigo, impotence, lethargy, menopause, stress

Patchouli has traditionally been used as an aid to meditation.

Safety Data

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.