Patchouli is “valuable for ‘dreamers’ and people who tend to neglect or feel detached from their physical bodies” Patricia Davies (1998).

A deep, comforting and connecting scent that represents the Ancient qualities of depth, perseverance and sensual primal energies that can really get us moving physically and spiritually.  Its spicy, woody, sweet, rich and earthy muskiness is a great base note in perfumes. 

What are the benefits of Patchouli Essential Oil?

Patchouli is a  shrub is found worldwide as a perennial herb and features a variety of traditional medicinal uses within Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese, Greek and Japanese practices.  Patchouli’s aroma improves with age as it deepens and mellows like a fine wine. 

• Uplift emotions: widely considered to have the ability to lift depressive moods and alleviate the fast energy of anxiety when in room diffusion, it can open the heart centre gently [3,4].

• Aphrodisiac effect: the sensual nature of the aroma is considered grounding and calming, which can help to connect with pleasure centres of the body, mind and emotions. Thus, creating a deeply spiritual aphrodisiac effect for the present moment [3,4].

• Effective topical fungicide, bactericide and virucide: this activation can boost the immune system response that can support wound healing [3, 4, 1].

• Support wound healing and scars: particularly supportive of stressed skin whether from hormone-related or circulation issues e.g. haemorrhoids [3, 1]. 

• Present the Mind: through reducing hyperactivity of the mind, Patchouli’s aroma centres the mind and reduces confusion. This provides the mind with the ability to creatively problem solve and improve imagination in studies [3, 1].

• Aid detox through skincare: by use of massage oils with their diuretic effect it can ease sluggish digestion [1].  

Warning: Patchouli can stimulate the nervous system in small amounts but too much will act as a sedative. Some may be skin sensitive so always dilute % or less in skin applications [3]. 

How to use Patchouli

Patchouli blends well with sandalwood, jasmine, frankincense, rose, bergamot, geranium, lavender, clary sage, lemongrass, and ylang ylang. 

• An emotional diffuser option is to drop into the water with neroli, jasmine or rose. 
• A perfume that stops mozzie bites when you place a couple of drops into your mosquito repellant, especially if you use citronella oil to create a calming balance for your own perfume alternative! Use 2 tablespoons of base oil or vodka to dilute and spray. 
• Nighttime Foot Love with a relaxing foot bath of magnesium salts, add the oils to an unscented lotion or cream: 5 drops lavender, 4 drops rose geranium and 2 drops patchouli. Rub in with love!

Get Your Next Aroma Blend

Both REN and ENE of The Passion Series by NidRa Aroma use Patchouli essential oil as a base note to ignite the passion within the user. 

REN - Release frustrations, enjoy stable moods and drop into kindness for all with Australian Sandalwood, Patchouli, Tasmanian Lavender and Fragonia.

ENE - Get calm, clear negative impulsivity so you can intuit the right actions from the heart space with Patchouli, Tasmanian Lavender, Australian Sandalwood and Clary Sage and Lemon Balm.

Contact Nid to get a quote for your handmade candle into your own recycled jar or one of Nid's collection. Price varies depending on the size of the jar. 

Discover Your Blend

DISCLAIMER: 

This information is for general interest only and is not to be taken as advice: therapeutic, medical or otherwise. We do not make a claim of any therapeutic advice offered in the writing. Please seek professional advice for the appropriate use of essential oils for your situation. 

The research used for this blog post:

1. Neal’s Yard Remedies: Essential Oils edited by Claire Cross 2016
2. Guide to Australian Essential Oils by Salvatore Battaglia 2009
3. Nature’s Essential Oils by Cher Kaufmann pg. 137-139
4. Healing Essences Aromatherapy Treatment Guide 2020