Do you know what does patchouli smells like? Surely you have smelled it before. Maybe you just don’t know what patchouli is.
The strong fragrance is widely used in perfumery products. The best patchouli perfumes contain a strong, sweet scent that indeed has the ability to attract everyone’s attention around you.
So, let’s learn about this amazing plant with details.
What Is Patchouli?
Patchouli is a bushy herb that grows in warm, moist tropical and subtropical climates. In the fall, it produces small flowers in white or light purple shades.
The plant is originally from Southeast Asia. You know, the word ‘patchouli’ is derived from Tamil, an Indian language. In English, it means ‘green leaf.’
Anyway, the plant can also be seen in Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and South America.
Sometimes patchouli is used as a spice or tea. But the most common use of them is in making incense, candles, perfume, etc.
About Patchouli Fragrance Oils
After harvesting, the oil of patchouli is extracted from the fresh or dried leaves and the stem of the plant.
Basically, patchouli oil is one kind of essential oil. This means the chemicals that give a distinct odor to the plant are retained. The main substance of this essence is called patchoulol. And you know what?
It’s possible to produce patchoulol synthetically in labs. For commercial use, manufacturers mainly use synthetic essence.
How Does Patchouli Smell Like?
So, how does it smell?
In short, it has a strong, sweet smell with a combination of musk and earthiness. It is also somewhat spicy and minty. The smell might remind you of wet soil. Because of the versatile scent, it is perfect for so many different cosmetics and other aromatic products.
Although patchouli is a part of the mint family, it doesn’t smell fresh and cool.
And since the scent is very strong, the oil needs to be diluted before use. You can mix them with other essential oils.
In the next part, you will see some typical combinations of patchouli oil. Let’s take a glance.
The Scents Patchouli Pairs Well With
You can wear patchouli oil as a single-note fragrance. In aromatic products, it is usually used along with other popular base notes, including vetiver, sandalwood, bergamot, cedarwood, frankincense, myrrh, etc.
It can also go well with lighter floral or citrus scents such as jasmine, rose, and bergamot. Moreover, the essence is also an excellent match for something sweet like vanilla, caramel, and chocolate.
Some Other Uses of Patchouli Oil
You see, patchouli oil is mainly used in aromatic products. But interestingly, it also has some other uses. The Indians usually used it as an insect repellent, while the Chinese utilized it for treating some medical conditions during AD 420–589.
Although there is no medical proof, many people still use the oil for medical conditions.
The other uses of the oil include-
- Disinfected or antibacterial substance
- Flavoring agent in foods and beverage
- Treating allergies or inflammation of the skin
- Controlling appetite
- Treating diarrhea and stomach pain
- Getting relief from stress, anxiety, and depression
- Get rid of headaches
- Controlling vomiting and nausea
- Free from bad breath after drinking alcohol
- Use as a cream, lotion, or other toiletries product
- Use as an insecticide to protect silk or woolen cloths
- Treat hair falling and dandruff
Well, these are the common uses of patchouli oil. Let me remind you again that there is no scientific evidence that patchouli is good for treating medical conditions.
Hence, you can certainly use it as a home remedy. But it’s highly unrecommended to apply the oil directly to the skin if you have allergic problems.
On the other hand, people with asthma, bronchitis, or other underlying medical conditions, such as pregnant or lactating women, must refrain from using the patchouli oil without consulting doctors.
Final Words
By this time, you have learned what does patchouli smells like, as well as the uses of this plant. The versatility of these small herbs is really amazing, isn’t it?
Next time after seeing the word “patchouli” on a product label, you’ll now know what to expect from it. So, get ready to fall in love with the mesmerizing scent of it.