Patchouli
Pogostemon Cablin
Patchouli is commonly used in high end perfumes and has a beautiful scent which layers well with others. Not only can you use Patchouli Oil to create your own perfume, but it is also suitable for skin conditions such as eczema, dandruff and acne!
History of Patchouli Oil
Patchouli Oil, botanical name Pogostemon cablin is an essential oil that was first used in Indian indigenous communities, as well as other countries across Asia. The indigeous people of India, called the Tamil, discovered the oil and used it as medicine, as well as using the raw plant for other health benefits. Patchouli thrives in hot, moist climates which is why it was so prevalent across Asia. When it started to reach the Middle East and Europe it was commercialised due to its scent, which is aromatic, complex and rich. It wasn’t until the mid 1800's that the oil was recognised and started to rise to prominence in perfumery and beauty products. In the 1960's the oil rose to be one of the most popular oils of that era, and Patchouli Oil is still linked to the hippy cultures and traditions today. The oil was used on its own as a perfume or it was burned during meditation.
Today, Patchouli Oil is incredibly popular in perfumery, and has been ‘immortalised’ by a number of high end brands such as Tom Ford, Chanel and Gucci; all of which have used patchouli as a stand out note in some of their most renowned fragrances. Patchouli Oil is still one of the more expensive essential oils you can buy on the market (which makes sense, seeing as it used to be traded for gold!)
So, why is Patchouli Oil still so popular today?
Although it was initially used as a medicinal oil, the reason why Patchouli Oil is so popular is because of how it has been commercialised since the 1960's. This coupled up with the fact that multiple high end brands use it in their skincare products and perfumes. It has a unique scent which also layers beautifully with a lot of other fragrances, and due to the versatility of the oil it is one of the very few that can’t be pigeon-holed as a one trick oil.
Despite the fact that the oil is expensive to produce and buy, this doesn’t deter people from owning it. Similar to other high end oils like neroli and rose, it boasts an element of luxury and has always been considered a valuable oil to own. So, with that in mind; we don’t see the oil dwindling in popularity any time soon!
Extracting Patchouli Oil
Like most essential oils on the market, Patchouli Oil is made using steam distillation, however the process takes a lot longer in comparison to other oils that are extracted using this method, as the flowers have to be carefully dried first. Once the flowers are dried they are then put through the steam distillation process, which uses steam to gently lift the oil from the flowers. When the water condenses and cools, the oil will then sit on the top, where it can then be skimmed off and separated. This is a common method because it doesn’t damage the oil’s composition and still enables the manufacturer to have a high yield. One of the reasons why Patchouli Oil is expensive is because of the time it takes to create the oil.
Can I make Patchouli Oil at home?
You could, however it’s one of the more tricky essential oils to make due to the drying process and understanding the exact point when the flowers are ready to be put into the steam distiller. However, if you’re someone who lives in the right growing climate for patchouli, and you enjoy (and have experience with) making essential oils, then you could definitely make this at home. If you aren’t in a position to make the oil yourself, there are plenty of distributors that sell high quality patchouli oil. You could also (if you wanted to) make an infusion with the fresh flowers, however there is no guarantee that this mixture would be as effective as using a 100% essential oil, or ‘absolute’ as it is called in the essential oil community.
What do you think of Patchouli Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? We love to hear from you and learn about your favourite blends as well as oils you’re loving right now. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today!
Can I make Patchouli Oil at home?
You could, however it’s one of the more tricky essential oils to make due to the drying process and understanding the exact point when the flowers are ready to be put into the steam distiller. However, if you’re someone who lives in the right growing climate for patchouli, and you enjoy (and have experience with) making essential oils, then you could definitely make this at home. If you aren’t in a position to make the oil yourself, there are plenty of distributors that sell high quality patchouli oil. You could also (if you wanted to) make an infusion with the fresh flowers, however there is no guarantee that this mixture would be as effective as using a 100% essential oil, or ‘absolute’ as it is called in the essential oil community.
What do you think of Patchouli Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? We would love to hear from you and learn about your favourite blends as well as oils you’re loving right now. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today!
Patchouli Oil Varieties
Patchouli Oil Varieties
There are three main species of Patchouli: Pogostemon Cablin, Pogostemon Heyneanus and Pogostemon Hortensis. Of these three main species, the Cablin species is cultivated the most in the essential oil world, and is believed to be the most effective. The composition of this variety has a lot of therapeutic properties, so especially if you’re using the oil for medicinal purposes, it would be made from the Cablin species. Of course within the patchouli family there would be hundreds of varieties, but these main three are the most well-known and used on a commercial scale.
There are three main species of Patchouli: Pogostemon Cablin, Pogostemon Heyneanus and Pogostemon Hortensis. Of these three main species, the Cablin species is cultivated the most in the essential oil world, and is believed to be the most effective. The composition of this variety has a lot of therapeutic properties, so especially if you’re using the oil for medicinal purposes, it would be made from the Cablin species. Of course within the patchouli family there would be hundreds of varieties, but these main three are the most well-known and used on a commercial scale.
So, which variety of Patchouli Oil should I be using?
The Cablin species! It’s clear that this variety of Patchouli Oil is the most effective overall, so if you’re looking to use it holistically (not just for fragrance) then this is the variety for you. However, if you’re just looking to use the oil for perfumery and not for anything therapeutic, then you could have success with the other varieties which are Heyneanus and Hortensis. With fragrance it’s all down to personal preference, and although there isn’t anything to suggest that the varieties all have different scents, you can assume due to their compositions being different that there would be a slight change.
What do you think of Patchouli Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? Is there a specific variety which you’ve tried and you love? If so, we want to hear from you! The team at Essentially Yours loves learning about you and the rest of the community, so, feel free to reach out and share your stories with one of the team today.
So, which variety of Patchouli Oil should I be using?
The Cablin species! It’s clear that this variety of Patchouli Oil is the most effective overall, so if you’re looking to use it holistically (not just for fragrance) then this is the variety for you. However, if you’re just looking to use the oil for perfumery and not for anything therapeutic, then you could have success with the other varieties which are Heyneanus and Hortensis. With fragrance it’s all down to personal preference, and although there isn’t anything to suggest that the varieties all have different scents, you can assume due to their compositions being different that there would be a slight change.
What do you think of Patchouli Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? Is there a specific variety which you’ve tried and you love? If so, we want to hear from you! The team at Essentially Yours loves learning about you and the rest of the community, so, feel free to reach out and share your stories with one of the team today.
Benefits of Patchouli Oil
Patchouli Oil, botanical name Pogostemon cablin is a beautifully fragrant essential oil which was originally used by Indian indigenous communities, as well as other cultures across Asia. The oil was first used as a medicine, and over the centuries it has cemented itself into multiple industries, namely perfumery due to its gorgeous, luscious scent. In the 1960's the oil became one of the most popular scents amongst the hippy community, and was regularly used as a perfume and during meditation. Today, it has been commercialised by a number of high end brands, and is considered a luxurious essential oil to own.
So, what are the benefits of Patchouli Oil?
Balances mood
Burning Patchouli Oil or using it in a diffuser can help to balance mood and leave you feeling calm and collected. Hippies often used the oil during meditation as it has the ability to induce a feeling of peacefulness.
Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties of Patchouli Oil are excellent if you’re looking to use the oil to create a soothing massage oil, particularly on tired joints and muscles. Mix with other anti-inflammatory oils for a soothing blend.
Aphrodisiac
Similar to Jasmine Oil, Patchouli Oil is a natural aphrodisiac and can be great to use if you’re looking to have a romantic evening or create a sensual perfume. We like mixing this with jasmine and lavender to create a complex and gorgeous scent.
Deodorizer
Patchouli Oil is a natural deodorizer and was used to mask smells when it was first discovered. Although we wouldn’t recommend using this today as a deodorizer for your body, you could easily use this essential oil to help get rid of bad smells quickly in your home or refresh things such as linen or soft furnishings.
Antibacterial
The oil is packed with antibacterial properties, which makes it perfectly placed to be used in your skincare routine, especially if you suffer with bacterial infections or conditions such as acne, rosacea and eczema.
Please note that the benefits of Patchouli Oil will vary from person to person, and what works for you may not work for others. If you are looking to use this oil on a regular basis as a topical remedy, particularly in skincare, please consult with your dermatologist or a health professional before use. Pregnant women should also consult with a doctor before integrating essential oils into their routines.
Uses of Patchouli Oil
Patchouli Oil is a gorgeous essential oil which has been used for centuries across medicine, perfumery and aromatherapy. It has a rich and full bodied scent, and was first used by Indian indigenous communities, as well as multiple cultures across Asia. Originally used as a medicine, Patchouli Oil has developed over the years to become one of the most popular scents in high end perfumes, as well as being a go-to in the aromatherapy world for its multiple benefits. It is one of the more expensive essential oils, however the expense is outweighed by the amount of use that you can get out of this wonderful oil.
So, what can I use Patchouli Oil for?
Aromatherapy
In aromatherapy Patchouli Oil is particularly effective to boost your mood, as well as eliminate feelings of stress and anxiety. It’s an oil which can work incredibly well on its own, as well as blending with a number of other essential oils to create powerful blends to target a number of issues. One of our favourite blends is patchouli, jasmine and rose.
Skincare
Patchouli Oil is effective in skincare as it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it perfectly placed to be used on acne-prone skin, as well as eczema and rosacea. Of course, you’d always blend this with a carrier oil to dilute it, but using this oil on the skin can boost your complexion and help keep your skin moisturised without irritating sensitive or dry skin complexions.
Massage
Using Patchouli Oil in massage is great for two reasons. Firstly, it smells beautiful and can help relieve feelings of stress and anxiety, and secondly, it has anti-inflammatory properties meaning it can soothe aching joints and muscles effectively.
Perfume
There’s a reason why it’s so popular in high end perfumes, and that’s because it smells absolutely amazing. Patchouli Oil can be used on its own or blended with other essential oils to make your own perfume. One of our favourites is using jojoba as the carrier oil, and blending patchouli, vetiver and jasmine to create a luxurious and full bodied scent.
Home scent
If you don’t want to make your own perfume, you can add a few drops of Patchouli Oil into an electric diffuser or spray bottle with some water to scent your home effortlessly and rid it of any nasty smells. You can also add a few drops of this oil into homemade candles to give them an extra boost.
Blends well with
Here at Essentially Yours we are passionate about creating a space where essential oil lovers can find all the information they’ll need to get the most out of their collection. Whether it’s understanding the best blends, or finding out the history of an oil - we’ve got you covered. In this blog we’re going to talk about Patchouli Oil and what it blends well with. So, if you want to learn more - keep reading!
Jojoba Oil
Moisturising and light, we love Jojoba Oil as it works very well for facial oils and remedies due to its makeup, which mimics the skin's natural oils already (great if you suffer from acne but want to introduce an oil into your regime). Mix with Patchouli Oil and use in the evenings as a nourishing night oil.
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Coconut Oil
Rich and creamy, Coconut Oil is one of our favourite carrier oils as it can work incredibly well to add moisture and key fats and acids that your skin needs. Mixed with Patchouli Oil it can make a thick and nourishing massage oil, which can not only moisturise your skin and leave it feeling soft and supple, but it can also help to calm your muscles and joints that may feel achy and stiff.
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Orange Oil
Fruity and tangy, we love this blend as it can work well in massage as well as aromatherapy to rid you of stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.
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Jasmine Oil
Fragrant and floral, we love this blend as it can work as a powerful aphrodisiac blend as well as working well in a skincare blend (mix with jojoba for optimum results). Pop equal drops of patchouli and jasmine in an electric diffuser, and thank us later!
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Rose Oil
Similar to Jasmine Oil, we love this blend due to its aphrodisiac and sensual properties. You can also use this blend as a perfume or room scent. If you wanted to use this blend as part of your skincare routine, simply add a few drops of each to a carrier oil and massage into your skin before bed to tighten and brighten your complexion.
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Geranium Oil
Full bodied, herby and floral, this is a beautiful blend to create your own perfume or as a part of your skincare routine. Add a few drops of each into rosewater and you have a powerful and effective skin toner - just shake before use and spray evenly across your face.
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Lavender Oil
Floral and rich, Lavender Oil is one of the few oils that work incredibly well with practically every essential oil on the market. It works well in aromatherapy to rid feelings of stress and anxiety, as well as boosting mood. It can also work as a blend used in massage to soothe aching muscles and joints.
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