What is Patchouli Oil?
Patchouli oil may be just what you need to add that extra oomph to your homemade fragrance oil. Patchouli is a native plant of Malaysia and India. It doesn't grow well in cold weather, but does make a great indoor plant. Patchouli oil has a strong odor that increases as it's aged.
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Perfume Scent
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In the 1960s, patchouli became a popular fragrance because of its strong odor and ability to mask scents like marijuana. It is still used in many subcultures today. The essential oil is popular in the Gothic subculture. Incense produced in East Asia often uses patchouli. Even high end perfume companies use the oil as a scent fixatives in perfumes because of its ability to mask other odors that may develop during the manufacturing process. The oils are used to fragrance air fresheners, detergents, and other household cleaners. It is one of the easiest and cheapest essential oils to make.
Insect Repellant
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The dried leaves have been used by the Chinese since the 18th century as a packaging material for silk. The leaves of the patchouli plant repel insects. The plant helped to keep moths from damaging the silk. In a study conducted at Mahidol University in Bangkok, patchouli, along with citronella and clove, was found to be the most effective out of 38 essential oils tested for repelling mosquitoes. In the study, relief from insect bites lasted two hours after application.
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Healing
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Patchouli oil has been used to balance hormones and the endocrine system throughout Japan, China, and India. The smell helps lift depression and to relieve stress. The release of endorphins is also stimulated by patchouli. Endorphins stimulate euphoria, sexuality, and help to relieve pain. The oil also relieves skin irritations and inflammations. It helps to rejuvenate skin cells, heal sores, and soothe cracked skin. The oil can also help to tighten the skin.
Antibacterial Properties
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The Department of Agriculture found in a study that patchouli was an oil that was most effective against C. jejuni bacteria. Campylocbacter jejuni is a bacteria that is similar to E. coli and can contaminate food sources. In another study conducted at the Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar, India, patchouli was found to inhibit 20 out of 22 different strands of bacteria. Patchouli also inhibited 12 types of fungi that were tested.
Aphrodisiac
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Patchouli has been used in Chinese and Indian medicine internally as an aphrodisiac. However, the essential oils are high concentrations of the plant and should not be taken internally. It takes several pounds of fresh herbs to produce one bottle of the essential oil. The herb has been found to act on the nervous system to relieve stress, but there are no scientific studies validating its aphrodisiac abilities. The oil's scent has also been believed to be a mild aphrodisiac in Eastern Asia.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit photo by Helena Liu, http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenaliu/3703425498/
