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30 Jul 2010

Patchouli Essential oil

Patchouli, that wonderful essential oil loved by the Hippies of the 60's, still remains a favourite with many folk. Patchouli oil is extracted from the leaves of the P.patchouli/P.cablin plant which is part of the mint family. The plant is native to Malaysia and India and was only introduced into Europe in Victorian times when it was imported with silk and cashmere shawls and Indian ink to protect them from moths. in 1845. Today the plants are cultivated in many tropical counties where they extract the oil by steam distillation.

It is one of the few oils that, like fine wine, it improves with age. Newly distilled patchouli oil has a fresh, green, slightly harsh aroma whereas when it ages it mellows giving a rich, exotic, spicy aroma with earthy undertones. Patchouli is a thick oil ranging in colour from light yellow to brown with a green tint and it has a base blending note. Its aroma is suitable for both men and women. The oil has a three year shelf life if stored in a cool place out of the sunlight.

Patchouli oil's properties are antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, calmative, astringent, decongestant, diuretic, fungicidal, nervine, sedative, stomachic, and insecticidal. It is used externally for most skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, acne, dandruff, relief of insect bites and shas superb tissue regenerating properties. It will protects wounds and ulcers from infections and from getting septic. As a massage oil it helps with weight reduction by reducing cellulite and aiding against water retention. It is also an excellent sedative. Patchouli is also used as an insect repellant either by placing pads a few drops of the oil in drawers and boxes or burning in an oil burner. For haircare it is used as a conditioner on dark hair and dreadlocks.

Note: Patchouli oil is non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing but is as with most essential oils in not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy.

After a stressful day pop a few drops of patchouli in a burner or a few drops in a nice warm bath. It will relax an over active mind and restore an emotional balance leaving you grounded. As it has a very penetrating aroma when blending with other oils just a drop will do. Try it with rose, jasmin, neroli, geranium or ylang ylang.

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Clarifying Astringent
By From Nature With Love for more recipes like this.
Good way to clarify blemishes and irritations on oily skin

8 oz/ 227 mls witch hazel
5 drops sandalwood essential oil
4 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops patchouli essential oil
2 tsp licorice root powder

Mix licorice root powder with the witch hazel and shake well. Let stand for 5 days shaking twice each day then strain out excess licorice root powder on the last day. Add in sandalwood, lemon and patchouli essential oils and shake well before each use. Use cotton swap for application.

Exotic Patchouli Massage Oil

10 tsps grapeseed oil
7 drops of patchouli essential oil
4 drops jasmine essential oil
2 drops rose essential oil

Blend ingredients well. Warm up oil before doing any massage including your fingertips.

Patchouli and Hemp Oil Soap
From North Country Soap Making Submitted by Pam D.

1 oz/28 mls castor oil
2 oz/56 mls cocoa butter
10 oz/284 mls coconut oil
10 oz/284 mls hemp seed oil
10 oz/284 mls olive oil
10 oz/284 mls palm oil
6 oz/170 mls palm kernel
2 oz/57 mls shea butter
2 oz/57 mls hemp butter added at trace to super fat
3 oz/85 mls patchouli essential oil
19 oz/540 mls water
7.21 oz/204 mls lye

Add the lye to the water – cool to 100°. Melt the solid oil, add the liquid oils, cool or heat to 100°. Add the lye water to the oils, stir until trace. At trace add the patchouli EO. This soap will be a lovely light green from the hemp oil. Pour into mold, cover for 24 hours, unmold and cut into bars. Age for 4-6 weeks. This soap brings back memories of the 60’s.

Patchouli and Blackstrap Molasses Conditioner
Gives hair a wonderful gloss and shine and also treats dandruff.

1 1/2 tbsps blackstrap molasses
1tbsp hot water
4 drops patchouli essential oil

Mix. Apply to hair. Leave on for 30 minutes. Then shampoo well to remove all the conditioner.

Athlete's Foot Bath

4 drops tea tree essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops sandalwood essential oil

Fill bowl with warm water, add essential oils and soak feet for at least 15 minutes.

Anti-Wrinkle Clay Mask Recipe
By From Nature with Love Submitted by: Cindy of Allegan, MI
1 tbsp green france clay
1 tsp patchouli powder
1 tsp slippery elm powder
1 tsp chamomile powder
wetting agent:
5 tsp herbal astringent for dry skin

Stir all ingredients well to get rid of clumps & apply to face. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

7 comments:

Green Womyn said...

Z Budapest says, in her book Goddess in the Office, it is a good EO to be used on Thursdays!

Thanks for the text!

Marion said...

This oil is still a favourite of mine, even if the sixties are a long way off! I had no idea it had so many properties, I have previously only used it in baths and burners.

Thanks so much for this post...I am going to try the patchouli and hemp oil soap. I have some hemp lotion and I am amazed at how wonderful my skin feels after I apply it. As you say, it will bring back memories of the sixties and seventies!

Anji said...

I like it because it smells nice and always brings back good memories. Now I know how many other uses it has!

Erik said...

I'm a huge patchouli fan and really enjoyed this article. Thanks for your research and work.

Huileno Essentiellea said...

Nice article. Patchouli oils is one famous oil produced in my homeland, Indonesia. But, in Indonesia it has unstable price, depend on the stock of its raw materials. I just want to share my articles about essential oils especially from Indonesia: patcouli oils, vetiver oils, lemongrass oils, clove oils, nutmeg oils, ginger oils, cananga oils, cajuput oils, kaffir lime oils, fennel oils, cinnamon oils, jasmine oils, quality of essential oils, essential oils price, essential oils processing, essential oils distillation, essential oils enfluerage, essential oils refining, essential oils deodoritation, raw material of essential oils, essential oils benefits, etc. at:
http://indonesia-essential-oils.blogspot.com/
Thanks for your interesting blogs.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing the information.

Any essential oil may it be, lavender or patchouli is having a great aroma as it is helping to make the skin beautiful, smooth and soft as well as it is also helping in relief from insomnia, tension and stress.

There are number of companies who are providing the essential oils and one such company which is recently, came across on internet is Camden Grey who is providing the service of Patchouli essential oil.

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