Latin (Botanical) Name:   Pogostemon Cablin

Plant Family:   Lamiaceae

Common Extraction Method:   Steam distillation

Typically Used Plant Part:   Leaf

Color:   Dark golden brown

Aromatic Characteristic:   Warm, spicy, musky, earthy aroma 

Patchouli oil is extracted from the leaves of the highly prized Patchouli plant, which belongs to the family of other well-known aromatic herbs, including Lavender, Peppermint and Sage. It is believed to get its name from the Hindi word "pacholi" meaning "to give fragrance". According to another theory, it is a combination of the Old Tamil words "patchai" and "ellai" meaning "green leaf".

The warm, spicy, musky and sensual scent of Patchouli Essential Oil is often associated with the hippie generation and is referred to as the "scent of the sixties". Although its use was widespread in the 1960s, it actually came into use hundreds of years ago. Its high value inspired early European traders to replace patchouli for gold. A pound of patchouli was worth a pound of gold.

In ancient Egypt, it was believed that Pharaoh Tutankhamun, known as "King Tut", was buried in his tomb with 10 gallons of Patchouli Essential Oil.

In the 1800s, the scent of Patchouli Oil was used to protect fabrics from insects. Therefore, Indian fabrics such as silk and shawls smelled of patchouli. This eventually became the standard by which fabrics would be considered genuine "Oriental" fabrics. Even British and French clothing manufacturers would scent their fabrics with artificial Patchouli Oil to increase their clothing sales.

Patchouli is widely grown in tropical regions such as Brazil, Hawaii, and Asian regions such as China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In Asian countries it has traditionally been used in folk medicine to treat hair problems such as dandruff and oily scalp, as well as skin irritations such as dryness, acne and eczema.

Patchouli has 3 species called Pogostemon Cablin, Pogostemon Heyneanus and Pogostemon Hortensis. Of these, the Cablin strain is the most popular and is grown for its essential oil, as its therapeutic properties give it a relative advantage over other strains.

Patchouli essential oil is used today for various purposes such as perfumery, aromatherapy, cosmetic products, household cleaning products and clothing detergents. In perfumery and fragrance applications, patchouli is a base note that acts as a stabilizer and creates a blend. Its aroma is suitable for unisex and men's mixes.

Thanks to the components it contains, it offers many health benefits.




      KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

• Patchouli alcohol
• delta Guaiene
• beta Caryophyllene + alpha Guaiene
• Seychellene
• gamma Patchoulene
• beta Patchoulene
• Pogostone

      BENEFITS

• Skin friendly:

It helps to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays that can harm the skin, and to prevent the formation of wrinkles [1] [2]. It helps in treating skin injuries, removing acne and blemishes on the face [3] [4].

• Hair friendly:

Patchouli oil helps to prevent oily hair and dandruff [4].

• It helps improve mood [1]:

In aromatherapy, patchouli oil is used to help reduce tension, insomnia, and anxiety. Its aroma helps to sharpen the intellect, increase concentration and provide insight. Spiritually, it is used in incense sticks as it helps create a calming atmosphere [5].

• It shows anti-inflammatory properties:

Patchouli oil helps reduce inflammation and immune cell accumulation that occurs in anti-immune states in the body [1] [6] [7] [8] [9].

• It shows antibacterial characteristic [10] [11] [12].

• It shows antifungal characteristic [12] [13].

• It helps to fight pests [1].

      WARNINGS

• IT IS AN ESSENTIAL OIL, DIRECT APPLICATION MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION. Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying topically. You can do a patch test before using the oil if you want to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin.
• FOR EXTERNAL USE, NON-DRINKABLE.
• Avoid contact with eyes, in case of contact rinse with plenty of water.
• Do not use the product if you have a known allergy to any of its ingredients.
• It is recommended that children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people using medication should consult their doctor before using patchouli oil.

      ACADEMIC STUDIES

[1] M. K. Swamy, U. R. Sinniah (2015). A Comprehensive Review on the Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Pogostemon cablin Benth.: An Aromatic Medicinal Plant of Industrial Importance. Molecules. 2015 May; 20(5): 8521–8547.

[2] R-F Lin, X-X Feng, C-W Li, X-J Zhang, X-T Yu, J-Y Zhou, X. Zhang, Y-L Xie, Z-R Su , J. Y-X Zhan (2014). Prevention of UV radiation-induced cutaneous photoaging in mice by topical administration of patchouli oil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 154, Issue 2, 11 June 2014, Pages 408-418.

[3] 110. Kerr J. The use of essential oils in healing wounds. Int. J. Aromather. 2002;12:202–206. doi: 10.1016/S0962-4562(03)00004-3.

[4] A. Kalra, E.V.S. Prakasa Rao and S.P.S. Khanuja, Cultivation and Processing Technologies of Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin). J. Med. Arom. Plants Sci., 28, 414–419 (2006).

[5] Perry N., Perry E. Aromatherapy in the management of psychiatric disorders-Clinical and neuropharmacological perspectives. CNS Drugs. 2006;20:257–280. doi: 10.2165/00023210-200620040-00001. 

[6] J-L Liang, J-Z Wu, Y-H Liu, Z-B Zhang, Q-D Wu, H-B Chen, Y-F Huang, Y-X Dou, J-T Zhou, Z-R Su, J Y-X Zhan (2017). Patchoulene Epoxide Isolated from Patchouli Oil Suppresses Acute Inflammation through Inhibition of NF-κB and Downregulation of COX-2/iNOS. Mediators Inflamm. 2017; 2017: 1089028.

[7] Y-F Xian, Y-C Li, S-P Ip, Z-X Lin, X-P Lai, Z-R Su (2011). Anti-inflammatory effect of patchouli alcohol isolated from Pogostemonis Herba in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, May-June 2011, Volume 2 Issue 3, pg. 545-550.

[8] S. E. Silva-Filho, L. A. M. Wiirzler, H. A. O. Cavalcante, N. S. Uchida, F. M. S. Silva-Comar, G. F. E. Cardia, E. L. Silva, R. P. Aguiar, C. A. Bersani-Amado, R. K. N. Cuman (2016). Effect of patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) essential oil on in vitro and in vivo leukocytes behavior in acute inflammatory response. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 84, December 2016, Pages 1697-1704.

[9] X. Yu, G. Yang, H. Jiang, S. Lin, Y. Liu, X. Zhang, H. Zeng, Z. Su, S. Huang, L. Shen, X. Zhang (2017). Patchouli oil ameliorates acute colitis: A targeted metabolite analysis of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced rats. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, August-2017, Volume 14, Issue 2, Pages: 1184-1192.

[10] Pattnaik S., Subramanyam V.R., Kole C. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro. Microbios. 1996;86:237–246.

[11] D. Rubini, S. F. Banu, P. Nisha, R. Murugan, S. Thamotharan, M. J. Percino, P. Subramani, P. Nithyananda (2018). Essential oils from unexplored aromatic plants quench biofilm formation and virulence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Microbial Pathogenesis, Volume 122, September 2018, Pages 162-173.

[12] Yang D., Michel D., Mandin D., Andriamboavonjy H., Poitry P., Chaumont J.P., Millet Clerc J. Antifungal and antibacterial properties in vitro of three Patchouli oils from different origins. Acta Bot. Gallica. 1996;143:29–35. doi: 10.1080/12538078.1996.10515316.

[13] C. N. Powers, J. L. Osier, R. L. McFeeters, C. B. Brazell, E. L. Olsen, D. M. Moriarity, P. Satyal, W. N. Setzer (2018). Antifungal and Cytotoxic Activities of Sixty Commercially-Available Essential Oils. Molecules. 2018 Jul; 23(7): 1549.