Patchouli Essential Oil

Description

Patchouli belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and originates from the Philippines; it is a perennial, branched, aromatic herb with fragrant leaves.

“The composition of the essential oil is complex like many essential oils, but unique because it consists of over 24 different sesquiterpenes, rather than a blend of different mono-, sesqui- and di-terpene compounds.” (1)

 It was introduced to India in the 1830’s through the botanical garden of Calcutta.

It then arrived in Europe in the middle of the 19th century as an important ingredient in perfumes. However, many of us probably first came into contact with it in the 70’s during the rise of the new age movements when this perfume was used by both men and women as an olfactory message or symbol of belonging to the movement of free love and flower power. Unfortunately, most of the patchouli that was floating around the general atmosphere at that time was of a very low quality, lacking refinement and elegance. It is now having a renewal with the big perfume houses as a bottom note in perfumery, it has strong fixative action that helps ‘hang onto’ the more volatile aromas in a perfume and the quality is of course much higher than in the 70’s.

People often have a strong reaction to patchouli, either loving it or hating it. Florian hated it when he was younger, but now loves the patchouli we work with that comes from our producer in India. So it is worth keeping an open mind as quality plays a huge part in how we relate to this very strong and powerful aroma.

Energetic Properties: For most people, Patchouli evokes unpleasant and overpowering ‘hippie’ aromas. However, this Patchouli is in a league of its own. It seems to pull the energy downwards along the spine and grounding us in the joyous sensuality of being in our bodies. It has an aliveness that is rare among oils, but thankfully present in the oils we have selected from our producer. It connects us to the earth and to its rhythm. It grounds us, helps us find stability and opens us to receive nature’s healing energy.

This is not an attar, but pure patchouli essential oil.

Smell: Sweet fruity, leathery, woody, warm

Perfumery Note: Base note.(also used as a fixative in perfumery) 

Main Chemical Constituents: patchoulol, germacrene-A, α-guaiene, α-bulnesene, β-patchoulene and patchouli alcohol (2) 

Adulteration and quality: Adulteration has not been adequately researched (3).

Citation:

1. Buré and Sellier, 2004; Dung et al., 1990
2. Swamy MK, Sinniah UR. A Comprehensive Review on the Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Pogostemon cablin Benth.: An Aromatic Medicinal Plant of Industrial Importance. Molecules. 2015 May 12;20(5):8521-47. doi: 10.3390/molecules20058521. PMID: 25985355; PMCID: PMC6272783.
   3. van Beek T., Joulain D. The essential oil of patchouli, Pogostemon cablin: A review. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 33(1). Jan 2018. 6-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/ffj.3418

To read more about patchouli, check out our blogs:

Deeper Intimacy with Attars

Aromatic Ally Profiles: Staying Centered and Grounded with Patchouli