Patchouli Leaf

Patchouli is a small bushy perennial shrub native to Southeast Asia, specifically Java and Sumatra. It grows up to 3 feet high and produces soft, fuzzy leaves and small white to light purple flowers. It is cultivated throughout tropical regions of Asia as well as West Africa. The leaves and aboveground plant are harvested, dried, and used for their strong fragrance in perfume and incense, and for their healing qualities in folk medicine. Patchouli is one of the rare aromatic scents that increases in quality with age.

Histories and Stories of Patchouli

When most people hear the name Patchouli, they usually think of its correlation with the 60‘s, hippies, and peace signs. But before Patchouli ever came to America it was used by many Southeast Asian countries, as well as throughout India and China. It was a very popular aromatic plant used in the perfume industry, in incense, as a fumigant, in traditional medicine, and in the textile industry. The unique, robust fragrance of Patchouli was highly sought after in perfumery for centuries and became an upscale scent among the European upper class in the 1800’s.

Patchouli was an important aromatic herb in the clothing and fabric industries of India and China during the 19th century. Dried leaves were packed in with shipments of fine silks, textiles, and other imported goods to ward off destructive moths from laying eggs and eating holes in the fabric. The scenting of the garments with a pleasant, exotic aroma was an added bonus. Over time, Patchouli’s scent became the stamp of authenticity for ‘true’ Oriental fabric throughout Europe. Many French garment makers eventually caught on and began using the sweet aroma to scent their imitations and knock-offs. Today Patchouli essential oil is widely used in the perfume and cosmetics industry as an exotic fragrance and fixative.

Patchouli oil and incense became extremely popular in the United States during the 60’s and 70’s as a result of the counter-culture hippie movement. I can still hear my father saying the scent reminds him of those times, though he’s certainly not a fan of Patchouli. Patchouli has so much to offer, but unfortunately its widespread popularity has been severely hindered due to its link to those decades. From my experience, people either love the sweet scent of Patchouli, or they hate it, the later being more common.

Patchouli has been a very popular incense ingredient for hundreds of years among many different cultures. There are literally thousands of different incense recipes that call for this aromatic herb. Hindu, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, and many Southeast Asian incense crafters have used this plant to help people connect to the divine and to their higher selves in their spiritual practices. It is widely used to aid meditation as it has a very grounding nature, stabilizing the mind when there is worry, anxiety, and over-thinking. Many ancient myths also report Patchouli helping to bring about altered states during meditation. It has the ability to help people get in touch with their body, senses, movement, creativity, sensuality, and nature.

Medicinal Uses

Patchouli has most widely been used in the treatment of various skin disorders for its antiinflammatory, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties. It has been used in the treatment of dermatitis, eczema, dandruff, dry skin, acne, athlete’s foot, and other skin irritations. It is also a strong skin revitalizer and cell rejuvenator with the ability to beautify and tonify the skin and heal wounds and scar tissue at an accelerated rate. For these reasons it is found in many creams, lotions, anti-aging products, and cosmetics.

In ancient times, the Japanese and Chinese commonly applied Patchouli to battle wounds, abrasions, cuts, and external infections as it calms irritated tissues, acts as a protectant against harmful bacteria and infection, and promotes accelerated healing. Patchouli leaves and tops are added to baths to alleviate rheumatism while a poultice of the leaves is used for boils and headaches. A decoction of the leaves is taken internally for asthmatic conditions and coughs (Duke, A., James).

Patchouli is used as a sedative and nervine in incense and essential oil form to reduce stress and tension. It is traditionally used for nervous and mental disorders and to help those who are often overpowered by their own mind and thoughts. It is helpful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, depression, general nervousness, and headache.

In ancient times, Patchouli was used in fumigation to prevent the spread of disease, epidemics, and infection, as it is highly antiseptic. It is also used in the actual treatment of colds, flu, and fever. In Traditional Chinese medicine it is used to stop vomiting due to dampness, treat abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach flu. The herb is also well known in Asian countries for its anti-toxin properties in the treatment of snake, bee, spider, and other insect bites.

Patchouli is a well-known aphrodisiac. Essential oil, incense, topical applications, or internal dosage have all been prescribed to help with impotency, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, and sexual anxiety by increasing healthy sexual drive in both men and women. This lovely herb has the power to break down walls deep within the mind that act as sexual barriers, and helps to stir up and enliven the more sensual and positive emotional feelings associated with intimacy and love making.

Magical and Metaphysical Uses

The energizing aroma of Patchouli incense or oil has the ability to connect the heart chakra with the lower sacral and root chakras. It is traditionally known to connect people to the Earth, back to their roots, and it is especially good during times of meditation when thoughts become overpowering. Many have claimed of its powers to bring about altered states of reality during ceremony or deep contemplation and meditation. It is also associated with divine creativity, which is perhaps one aspect which led to its popularity during the 60’s.