Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli Essential Oil is most famous not for its health qualities but for the fact that it is a very effective insecticide and insect repellent. For thousands of years, people have used this essential oil and the plant that is based from in order to treat clothing so that it was protected from insects. However, there is a lot more to this essential oil than just the fact that it keeps the bugs away. There are lots of health benefits that have been discovered for this plant, and the variety of applications for the essential oil makes it one of the most versatile oils on the market today.
How is Patchouli Essential Oil Manufactured?
Like so many of the other essential oils that are out there, patchouli essential oil is created through the process of steam distillation, which is an effective way to make concentrated essential oils, although the yields are fairly low, depending upon which Essential Oil you are talking about. The leaves of the plant are used to make essential oil in this case and there are two different species that patchouli oil is made from.
Types of Patchouli Essential Oil
There are couple of different types of patchouli essential oil. Nearly all of the oil out there is based upon two different species –Pogostemon Cablin and Pogostemon Patchouli. Most experts believe that Pogostemon Cablin is a better species for making essential oils and especially for aromatherapy. There are other species that are scattered across Asia specifically in China, Malaysia and Brazil. The name of the plant is derived from the practice of protecting clothing with patchouli in the 1800s and it means “to scent”.
How to Use Patchouli Essential Oil
There are lots of ways that you can use patchouli essential oil. Obviously, one of the most popular ways to use this has historically been to treat clothing and people, in order to prevent insect bites. However, more popular today is the diffusion and inhalation of patchouli, the scent of which has been shown to have a major effect on the human nervous system. It can also be applied topically but should not be ingested by itself. This is an extremely strong essential oil and just a drop or two will create a very strong fragrance so it should be diluted in a carrier oil.
Composition of Patchouli Essential Oil
One of the components of patchouli essential oil is patchouli alcohol, and this is what communicates with the nervous system and reduces inflammation among other things. Here are the chemical components that make up patchouli essential oil.
- Alpha Patchoulene
- Beta Patchoulene
- Alpha Guaiene
- Alpha Bulnesene
- Caryophyllene
- Norpatchoulenol
- Patchouli Alcohol
- Seychellene
- Pogostol
Aromatic Description of Patchouli Essential Oil
As previously mentioned, this is an extremely strong essential oil even in comparison to other essential oils that are very fragrant. However it is not an unpleasant smell and most describe it as relaxing and peaceful. It is part of the plant family that includes mint, sage and lavender. Not everyone likes the fragrance of patchouli Essential Oil; it is used around the world and the benefits that come from using it are truly remarkable. It should always be combined with some type of carrier oil such as sweet almond oil or olive oil.
Precautions & Side Effects of Patchouli Essential Oil
As for what you need to keep in mind when it comes to side effects and precautions when using patchouli Essential Oil, remember that you always need to combine it with something if you’re taking it internally but this is one of the essential oils that you should talk to your physician first before ingesting. You can dilute it and use it topically but you should test it on a patch of skin first before applying. Do not give to children or pets and women who are pregnant should avoid this and other essential oils.
Attributes of Patchouli Essential Oil
| Attribute | X | Definition |
| analgesic | Reduces pain in muscles and joints | |
| anti-arthritic | Reduces arthritis symptoms | |
| anti-infectious | Prevents infection | |
| anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | |
| antibiotic | Keeps biotic infections from developing | |
| antidepressant | X | Helps to alleviate depression |
| antiemetic | Prevents nausea and vomiting | |
| anti-galactogogue | Reduces milk supply in the body | |
| antifungal | X | Kills harmful fungal life forms |
| antimicrobial | Kills microbial life forms that cause disease | |
| anti-neuralgic | Counteracts nerve pain | |
| anti-rheumatic | Counteracts pain from rheumatism | |
| antiseborrhoeic | Keeps the body from making an unhealthy amount of sebum | |
| antiseptic | X | Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease |
| antispasmodic | Prevents spasms from occurring | |
| antiviral | Kills viral agents | |
| aperient | Relieves constipation | |
| aphrodisiac | X | Increases sexual desires |
| astringent | X | Causes skin tissue to contract – to counter lines and wrinkles |
| bactericidal | Kills bacterial agents | |
| carminative | Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract | |
| cholagogue | Assists with the discharge of bile | |
| cicatrisant | X | Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue |
| circulatory | Promotes healthy circulatory system function | |
| diaphoretic | Induces perspiration | |
| decongestant | Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities | |
| deodorant | X | Eliminates and prevents body odor |
| depurative | Helps to detoxify the body | |
| Digestive | Helps with the digestion of food | |
| diuretic | X | Removes excess water from the body |
| expectorant | Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body | |
| emenagogue | Promotes healthy menstrual discharge | |
| febrifuge | X | Aids in the reduction of fever |
| hepatic | Promotes healthy liver function | |
| hypotensive | Helps to lower blood pressure | |
| Insecticide | X | Kills certain types of insects or pests |
| muscle relaxant | Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms | |
| nervine | Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves | |
| sedative | X | Aids in calming or induces sleepiness |
| stimulant | Increases physiological or nervous system activity | |
| stomachic | Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion | |
| sudorific | Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands | |
| tonic | X | Tones the skin or muscles |
| vermifuge | Kills parasitic worms | |
| vulnerary | Promotes rapid healing of wounds |
What is Patchouli Essential Oil Used For?
Patchouli Essential Oil is used for a lot of different things but one of the primary uses is the oil’s antidepressant properties. This is a wonderful treatment for people that are suffering from depression and have a hard time getting into a good mood. Patchouli essential oil is quite popular with people who practice aromatherapy because it lifts the mood and stimulates pleasure hormones. It is also good with inflammation and fever. In fact, it helps with both the fever itself in the inflammation that causes and it can be used for all sorts of information related conditions like arthritis.
Of course, patchouli essential oil is also an antiseptic so it cleans wounds and ensures that infection doesn’t sitting in the first place. In fact, it is even effective against infections like tetanus. Many people also use this particular oil to combat sexual anxiety and other dysfunctions. It acts as an aphrodisiac and it helps people to normalize their love lives. This may be patchouili’s most well-known property because it is been used as an aphrodisiac for nearly a millennia.
Patchouli essential oil is also an astringent so it can help with reducing fine lines and wrinkles from aging as well as helping with dental problems like holding the gums of the teeth in place and can even treat weekending muscle tissue and hair loss. It also gives a boost to the body’s natural healing processes and even helps scars from injuries fade faster.
This oil also has a very unique property among essential oils where it stimulates the creation of new cells. When red blood cells are increased, energy levels may go up and circulation may also be increased which speeds up the metabolism and helps to heal the body. In addition, the diluted form of patchouli essential oil can be used as a deodorant, to mask body odor, and it is an effective diuretic, helping the body to rid of excess water and removing toxins at the same time. Finally, it is an effective fungicide as well as an insecticide and has sedative effects that help to relax a person in lower anxiety levels.
Recommended Combinations Involving Patchouli Essential Oil
The Final Word on Patchouli Essential Oil
There are a lot of great essential oils out there for patchouli essential oil is one of the best, with so many different health benefits for the body and mind that it is a no-brainer that this should be one of the oils that you have at your disposal to combat disease and ensure better health.
