Benefits of Patchouli Herb – Where to buy Pogostemon Cablin Essential Oil

Today, we will learn about the aromatherapy benefits of patchouli herb and its essential oil. The scientific name of patchouli plant is pogostemon cablin, which is a mint family herb with hairy leaves about 13 cm wide and 10 cm long. The essential oil extracted from pogostemon cablin produces a strong and penetrating aroma having aphrodisiac effects in patients with depressed libido and erectile dysfunction. Patchouli essential oil is an antidepressant, painkiller, and a natural sedative. The sensual aroma of pogostemon cablin stimulates sexual desires and enhances romantic moods. Patchouly is an ideal herbal remedy to treat impotence problems and frigidity. It also helps people who have undergone nervous breakdown and seizures. Essential oil of pogostemon cablin drives away the lack of emotional feelings by helping maintain contact and focus with one’s feelings. Patchouly at higher dosages acts as a stimulant and at lower dosages acts as a pain reliever. Patchouly has been most significant ingredient in weight loss diets for binge eaters, as it decreases appetite and untimely urge to eat again.

History and Symbolism of Patchouli

Though use of this herb dates back to thousands of years, but in the recent past, this herb has been associated with the hippies of 60s, the unconventional people pictured in dum maro dum song from movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna. The name patchouli has originated from the Hindustani words “patch” and “ouli” which means green leaves which hippies used to smoke in the 60s and 70s till the time mostly died of addiction problems but not because of patchouli.

Patchouli herb has a long therapeutic history in India, Japan, Malaysia, and China. For many centuries, this herb was used as a home remedy for insect and snake bites. Textile merchants in India have used its sexual stimulating properties to perfume clothes attracting millions of men and women to buy them. Later at the time of British Raj in India, Britishers imported Indian shawls scented with patchouli from India to European countries.

Origin and Distribution of Patchouli: This stimulating herb has been native to Southeast Asia. For many years, after First World War, British Raj in Malaysia remained the world’s largest producer of pogostemon cablin essential oil, but during Second World War, the location from where this oil was extracted and produced was robbed by the Seychelles. Nowadays, Patchouli herb is cultivated in Malaysia, India, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Extraction of Patchouli Oil

The essential oil of pogostemon cablin is obtained from young, dried leaves that are fermented before distillation, so just like a good wine improves with age; the aroma of patchouli oil becomes strong with age. The aroma of this oil is sweet, spicy, exotic, and earthy.

A Few More Benefits of Patchouli

Patchouli herb has antiseptic and astringent properties. This herb is a natural anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, fungicide, diuretic, and insecticide. Even today, patchouli is used by many villagers as a natural remedy against insects and snakes. Patchouli aromatherapy essential oil has many benefits to skin, as it clears away wrinkles and helps prevent skin damage. Patchouli oil helps in fading away stretch marks and regeneration of tissue. Patchouli oil can be used as an anti-dandruff oil. Patchouli herb decreases inflammation and heals sores and wounds. Patchouli also relieves postmenopausal symptoms.