The Encyclopedia of Crystals, Herbs, and New Age Elements: An A to Z Guide to New Age Elements and How to Use Them - Adams Media 2016

Patchouli
The Power of Scent: Essential Oils

ORIGINS

This essential oil comes from the leaves of the shrub Pogostemon cablin, a member of the mint family. Native to Southeast Asia, this plant is extensively cultivated in India, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and South America. The oil has a musky, earthy aroma.

HISTORY/LORE

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Indian silk traders packed their cloth in patchouli to keep moths away, leading many to believe that the cloth itself had a rich scent. Both patchouli oil and incense became enormously popular in the United States and Europe during the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

USES

Healing Uses: Patchouli essential oil is an excellent remedy for skin issues. It hydrates and nourishes dry, chapped skin and clears up conditions such as acne and eczema. Applied to the hair and scalp, it alleviates oiliness and dandruff. As an inhalation, this oil soothes the nerves, relieves stress, and fights insomnia. It is also a powerful aphrodisiac.

Personal/Spiritual Growth: Patchouli essential oil balances the mind, body, and spirit. It also helps us navigate around obstacles so we can take steps to achieve our goals. Use during meditation to quiet the mind and ground and center spiritual awareness in the body. Add to bathwater to ease mental exhaustion and emotional stress. With massage, this oil boosts sexual energy.