Patchouli is a popular aromatic healing plant. Presently, it is in a tremendous demand for its essential oil. It is extensively used for fragrance, flavor, and health purposes.
Presently, farmers have shown more interest in growing large scale of patchouli cultivation in tropical and sub-tropical places. Understanding plant’s chemistry and biology make us find out better uses of the utilization of these industrial crops.
Patchouli oil has the best fragrance. It is an ancient Chinese medicine from a thousand years. It is useful for relieving depression, digestive problems, anxiety. Patchouli oil is useful for combining other essential oils before aromatherapy.
What Is Patchouli Oil?
Table of Contents
The Patchouli oil is also called Pogostemon cablin. It is a patchouli plant popularly known for Chinese medicine. This oil is largely popular in South-East Asia for treating digestive problems as a home remedy.
The patchouli oil is produced from the dry leaves and stems of the patchouli plant that comprises various active compounds.
Patchouli oil provides different benefits and utilized for many health purposes.
Antiseptic Uses
Patchouli oil is popularly recommended for using to treat small ulcers and wounds as it helps to limit the infection growth. Additionally, patchouli oil treats dandruff, promote hair follicles, and protect against premature hair loss.
How to use it?
Mix patchouli oil in any other carrier oil such as almond oil and apply it topically on your affected area. It will help to prevent infection growth like tetanus.
It is also useful for treating skin problems by massaging with oil on affected parts. You can also add it to your soap and use it daily.
It also helps to cure dandruff. Make a hair conditioner using patchouli oil and massage your hair and wash hair after sometimes.
How Does It Work?
The antiseptic qualities of patchouli make it a safe and natural alternative to general medicines to treat wounds. It also works as antifungal properties to prevent fungal infections. It treats skin conditions such as acne, seborrhoea, and dermatitis.
Reduce Inflammation
Patchouli oil helps to reduce inflammation linked with fever. It also helps to soothe irritated skin and promote healthy skin. It also protects the facial muscles from the damage of free radicals. Additionally, it helps to tighten and tone your skin and muscles.
How to Use?
Mix the patchouli oil with other body oil and massage gently over affected areas.
You can add a few drops in your bath water and soak your body for some time.
How does it work?
Patchouli oil helpful for reducing inflammation. It is useful for treating conditions like a tumor, arthritis, and skin problems.
Work as Aphrodisiac
The patchouli oil provides excellent qualities of aphrodisiac and helps to treat sexual problems such as erectile dysfunctions, impotence, frigidity, sexual anxiety, and disinterest related to sex. It is useful for both women and men.
How to use it?
Mix some drops of patchouli oil with other essential oil and massage gently.
You can also mix 8-10 drops of patchouli oil in lukewarm and take bath or soak body for some time.
How does it work?
Patchouli helps to activate the secretion of testosterone hormones and estrogen in women and men, which promotes sex drive.
Boosts Cell Count
Patchouli oil promotes red blood cell production. It also boosts the white blood cells and promotes blood circulation. The increase in healthy white blood cells helps your body to protect against pathogens while red blood cells help in digestion and other body functions.
How to use it?
Slowly massage using some drops of patchouli oil by mixing baby oil on the body.
How does it work?
The cytophylactic qualities of patchouli oil help to prevent osmotic imbalance and cytolysis as it promotes the cellular activity of patchouli oil. It also boosts your blood circulation and oxygen production. It also promotes the functions of body cells.
Prevent Body Odor
Patchouli oil is well known for its amazing fragrance. It can be useful for preventing body odor. This oil promotes collagen production in the skin.
How to use it?
Mix patchouli oil with other body massage oil and apply it over your body.
Include some patchouli oil to your bath water and soak your body for some time.
How does it work?
It helps to absorb the bad body odor from its antimicrobial properties. It helps to prevent bacterial growth.
Relieves Depression
Patchouli oil helps to relieve depression. It limits the sad feelings and promotes positivity. Patchouli oil is helpful for aromatherapy. It promotes your mood and prevent disappointment and relieve tension. It reduces the influence of different chemical responses over the mind and body. Patchouli oil helps to stimulate the pleasure hormone release, such as dopamine, serotonin. It prevents sadness, anger, and anxiety.
Soothes Inflammation
The patchouli oil helps to soothe inflammation and prevent irritation causing fever. It gives relief from fever. This oil also sooth skin-related inflammation and treat gout and arthritis.
Prevents Infections
The patchouli oil helps to heal ulcers and wounds from growing infection and septic. This oil contains important properties to heal the wounds and chronic infections such as tetanus. The patchouli oil prevents infection happens through iron or rusty object.
Astringent Property
The astringent property of patchouli oil helps to activate the contraction of nerves, muscles, and skin. It helps to strengthen teeth and gums. It prevents skin sagging, hair loss, and muscle tissue loss. The astringent prevents hemorrhaging through blood vessels contracting. It works as an anti-aging substance and strengthens muscles.
Promote Healing
Patchouli oil improves the healing process of injuries and cuts. It soothes the scars and fades away marks. It works effectively for removing marks from acne, measles, pox, and boils.
Promote Blood Circulation
The content of patchouli helps to stimulate blood circulation and produce new cells. It also produces red blood cells and promotes energy levels. This oil also helps to generate red blood cells, which helps to boost energy levels. Using patchouli oil helps to promote functionality and promote metabolism. It promotes young and healthy skin.
Reduces Fever
Patchouli oil helps to lower the body temperature during fever by fighting infections. As the patchouli oil is antiphlogistic, it helps to reduce the inflammation and gradually reduce it. It removes the inflammation and lowers your fever.
Reduce Fungal Growth
Patchouli oil helps to work effectively to lower down the fungal infection and growth. It also helps to protect from notorious infections such as Athlete’s foot. Fungal infections are more serious when they affect the respiratory system by inhalation. Patchouli oil powerfully works to protect your body.
Kills Insects
The insecticidal quality of patchouli oil discovered from ancient times. It smells sweet and effective to prevent insects. You can frequently use it as body lotion, spray, vaporizers, fumigants and incense sticks.
You can also mix patchouli oil with water, bed linen, wash clothes to prevent ants, mosquitoes, bed bugs, fleas, lice, and moths. However, practice cautions about oil burning inside, as its different smell quickly get absorb in furniture and fabric.
How to use it?
Combine patchouli oil with water and use it with wash clothes.
Include some drop of your fumigant while spraying in the home.
How does it work?
You can keep it in the corner of your room or burn the oil to spread the fragrance. The fragrance keeps away the insects.
Calm Hypersensitivity
The patchouli oil helps to soothe inflammation and calm convulsions, epileptic attacks, and cough, which can result in hypersensitivity or hyper-reactive from nerves. It also prevents the breakouts of allergies from hypersensitivity.
Patchouli oil contains antidepressants and calms down inflammation. It helps to relax your body and promote sleep. It lowers down the symptoms of insomnia and improves metabolic rate, cognitive functions, and mood.
Acts as Tonic
The patchouli oil also works as tonic and tones your veins in the entire body. It promotes metabolic functions such as food decomposition and nutrient absorption by boosting the health of the stomach, liver, intestines, and help you grow healthier and stronger.
The patchouli oil helps to regulate the endocrinal secretion of enzymes, hormones, and excretion processes. It helps to boost your immune systems and prevent infections.
Reduces Insomnia
Getting sufficient sleep is vital for good health. The sedative qualities of patchouli oil help to ease insomnia symptoms. It excites your mind and body to rest and stay calmly.
You can rub some patchouli oil over your nose and breath the sweet fragrance of patchouli oil. You can also massage it over neck, chest, and temples with hands.
Work as Diuretic
The patchouli oil helps to work as diuretic and prevents chances of gallbladder and kidney stones. It also prevents the disease of gout.
How to use it?
Include 8-10 drop-in bath water and soak yourself for some time.
You can also use 2-3 drops of patchouli oil and mix with the body oil and gently massage your abdomen and lower back.
How does it work?
The patchouli oil is helpful to increase the urination frequency and quantity. It limits the water retention from increased urination and lowers the bloating chances. The patchouli oil also helps in weight loss and manages blood pressure. It increases the appetite and prevents toxins from the body. Using patchouli oil lower the bad cholesterol and eliminate the extra uric acid and salt from the body.
Boosts Metabolism
Patchouli oil helps to promote metabolism. It increases your functions and helps in the development and growth of body cells.
How to use it?
Combine some patchouli oil with the bathwater and soak your body for some time.
How does it work?
It helps to activate the stomach and liver functions. The active stomach and liver enzyme produce more metabolic rate and promote digestion and increase energy.
Uplifts Mood
Patchouli oil also helps to boost your mood from aromatherapy from its content antidepressant properties. The oil helps to relax and change your mood.
How to use it?
You can directly inhale the patchouli oil or inhale it by combining it with baby oil.
You can also spread the patchouli oil in the home.
How does it work?
The patchouli oil fragrance helps to stimulate the serotonin and dopamine hormones secretion. It helps to cure various conditions of mental health. The sedative and calming qualities of patchouli oil relieve the distress caused by stress, pain, and anxiety.
Strengthens Skin and Hair
Patchouli oil helps to activate muscle contraction and promote sagging skin and hair loss. This oil helps to regenerate new cells in the skin and boost younger skin. This oil is suitable for all skin types, such as oily, dry, cracked skin. You will notice the fast healing and benefits against germs.
You include five drops of patchouli oil in your lotion or face wash and massage your face gently. Try massaging your scalp for conditioner.
Prevent mouth odor
Chewing gum is the best thing to prevent mouth odor. But chewing gums containing patchouli oil is more helpful to remove bad odor in mouth from its antibacterial properties. This oil helps to remove the harmful bacteria and create a hygienic oral environment.
Promote Immunity
People with seasonal infections are more prone to get flu or cold. Using patchouli oil is helpful to remedy for strengthening the immune system. The patchouli alcohol contains a strong herbal chemical that kills the influenza virus.
The study on mice discovered that patchouli alcohol showed protection against the influenza virus.
Minimizes Scars
As patchouli oil contains quick healing qualities, it helps to reduce the scars, wounds, pox, measles, acne, and boils. You can also heal bug bites with this powerful oil. Rub 2-3 drops of patchouli oil to promote the healing of scars and marks.
Libido Enhancer
While aromatherapy, patchouli oil promotes libido health. It helps to balance and stabilize libido and prevent impotence and frigidity. It is also known to relieve sexual anxiety.
Long-lasting Perfume
Patchouli oil has an earthy and woody smell that is famous from the 60s. Even now also patchouli oil spreads the sweet and earthy fragrance that lasts longer.
Produce refreshing drinks
Patchouli oil utilized in alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks enhance its flavor. Essential oils are used during the composition of a new alcoholic drink. Including patchouli oil brings strong flavor, and smell in the drinks.
The drinks containing patchouli oil helps to absorb nutrition and promote metabolic functions.
Other Benefits
It is popular for treating dermatitis, eczema, sores, and psoriasis. It helps to relieve constipation and work as an antidote and prevent insect bites. These peripheral benefits are closely linked with the above uses and benefits.
Caution
Some people may suffer from the reaction of the strong and long-lasting smell of patchouli oil. Make sure to inhale in the recommended amount of aroma to prevent irritation. Talk with an ayurvedic expert to prevent complications.
Storage and Selection
You need to select and store the patchouli oil to get effective benefits. It can be expensive to buy patchouli oil and will remain for the long term.
Selection
Generally, patchouli oil is taken from the hydro-distillation or steaming process. However, the new process is known as CO2 extraction developed to allow the withdraw of pure from essential oil. The extraction process involves pumping the pressurized carbon dioxide in the room filled with the plant. Compressing carbon dioxide requires qualities of functions and liquid as a solvent.
The leaves of patchouli are needed to ferment in the solvent. The outcome is greener, lighter, and less earthy smell. It has a pure amber color and a form of viscous liquid.
Storage
Keep the patchouli oil in the cool and dry place. Make sure to keep it away from children.
Side effects of Patchouli
Patchouli oil doesn’t give irritation or any allergic response when applied. Still, some people get side effects of using patchouli oil. Avoid applying undiluted patchouli oil to your skin. It may cause blood clotting. People with the following conditions should avoid using patchouli oil.
- People using blood-thinning medication
- Individuals undergoing surgery
- People with bleeding disorders like hemophilia.
It is important to remember that this oil is more concentrated and require to dilute before applying over the skin or doing aromatherapy. Avoid drinking or eating any essential oil without the advice of your medical professional.
Eye and skin irritation
Like other essential oil, patchouli oil also causes irritation in skin and eyes. Avoid applying patchouli oil in full strength. Combine it with a non-petroleum carrier oil at a consistency of 15 drops with one oz patchouli oil.
If you apply complete length over the skin and feel irritation, then wash with soap immediately. Some people may get mild to severe reactions, which require medical help.
If oil enters in eyes by mistake, then do not rub the affected area. Wash eyes using lukewarm water for some time. Make sure to use clean water to avoid contamination.
Inhalation
The strong smell of patchouli oil can irritate some people. It may cause dizzy or coughing problems in sick people. Make sure to avoid the patchouli oil odor when you are sick to prevent inhalation problems.
Pesticides
Patchouli oil get pesticides while growing plant and send toxins to people while using. The small amount of pesticides also affects health. Make sure to buy organic oil.
Flammability
Patchouli oil may become volatile during high temperatures, therefore store it in a cool place. In cases of fire, avoid using fire because it causes burning oil to swim and spread more fire. You use a fire extinguisher in replacement.
Special Cases: Pregnancy
Pregnancy may get benefits of using essential oil, which helps to relieve swollen ankles, nausea, and pains.
There are fewer studies regarding patchouli oil for pregnancy and babies. Infants are oversensitive to various toxins. Therefore, patchouli may not be suitable for the aromatherapy of babies.
Some studies tell patchouli oil helps pregnant women to ease the confusion and relieve indecision thoughts.
Therefore, it is important to use patchouli oil under expert guidance to avoid any complications. Every pregnancy is different, so every woman gets different benefits and side effects.
Research and Studies
Patchouli oil is popular for neuroprotective. It works as anti-inflammatory and anti-influenza. According to one study, it is considered as a natural treatment for cancer.
During a study of 2013, the investigation happens in vitro study regarding the effects of patchouli oil for treating human colorectal (rectum and colon) and cancer cells. This oil helped to protect the molecular mechanism.
They also discovered that patchouli oil overpowers the cell growth and triggers apoptosis, which means that the cell will no longer have any threat. Additionally, the patchouli oil lowers the enzyme function and reactions to cancer in the body. These positive and surprising findings tell that patchouli oil holds anti-cancer substances to reduce cell growth. It also promotes apoptosis in the cancer cells of human colorectal.
Another study found that patchouli oil work effectively to reduce pesticide. Harmful pests over vegetables and fruits such as moths need different insecticide applications every year and 17 different oils that include patchouli oil, garlic oil, thyme oil, and lemongrass oil. Using patchouli oil prevent harmful exposure to insecticides and reduces infection problems.
Recipes with Patchouli Oil
Perfume
- Patchouli: 1 drop
- Rosewood:1 drop
- Lemongrass:1 drop
Deep Sleep
- Patchouli oil is a quick remedy to get deep sleep.
- Patchouli: 1 drop
- Marjoram: 1 drop
- Lavender: 1 drop
Prevent nervousness before meeting someone
- Patchouli: 3 drops
- Lemon:12 drops
- Lime: 6 drops
- Cedarwood Virginian: 6 drops
Party, Dance
Create the best mood for party and dance with the help of an oil burner or candle using the following essential oils.
- Patchouli: 4 drops
- Geranium: 6 drops
- Rosewood: 8 drops
- Mandarin: 7 drops
Bountiful Happiness – Massage Oil
- Patchouli Oil:10 Drops
- Wonder Oil: ¼ Cup
- Rosewood Oil: 7 Drops
- Orange Oil: 4 Drops
Merge all ingredients in a bowl and lightly massage on your body. It will heal aching muscles and dry spots.
Clean & Serene Patchouli – Room Spray
- Water: 1-Cup
- Patchouli Oil – 15 Drops
- Lemon Oil: 15 Drops
Combine all the ingredients and add them to the spray bottle. Spray this in over room and home to have a fresh smell.
Flowers Patchouli – Diffuser Blend
- Patchouli Oil: 7 Drops
- Lavender Oil: 3 Drops
- Ylang Ylang Oil: 3 Drops
- Rose Oil: 3 Drops
Mix all the ingredients in a diffuser to make your home have floral fragrance.
Patchouli Face Mask
- Argan Oil: 1 Tablespoon
- Raw Honey: 1 Teaspoon
- Patchouli Oil: 3 Drops
Combine all the oil and honey and apply it over the face. Keep this mask for 20 minutes and wash it with warm water. Pat dry with a soft cloth.
Patchouli – Dryer Sheets
- Patchouli Oil: 25 Drops
- White Vinegar: 1-Cup
- A Large Glass Jar
- Cloth Scraps (Cuts of The T-Shirt)
Wrap the scrap cloth and keep it into a large jar. Combine patchouli oil and vinegar in a separate bowl. Sprinkle the cloths with this mixture but avoid soaking completely. Keep the jar and use it for laundry.
Sunday Morning – Shower with Salts
- Epsom salt: 1-teaspoon
- Patchouli oil: 10 drops
- Tangerine oil: 5-drops
- Lemon oil: 5-drops
Combine all the ingredients and sprinkle some salt into the corner of your shower. As you take bath, the salt will get dissolve and release the fragrance of essential oil.
Lavender – Patchouli: Laundry Aid
- Laundry Detergent (Liquid): ¾ Cup
- Lavender Oil: 6 Drops
- Patchouli Oil: 6 Drops
Combine essential oils with laundry detergent liquid and use.
Note: Do not directly apply these essential oils over cloths, always mix it with liquid detergent.
Warning – Do not use essential oils for internal purposes. Avoid applying undiluted oils over the skin.