Patchouli
Botanical: Pogostemon patchouli (PILL.)
Family: N.O. Labiatae
Plant Portion: Leaves and flowers
Extraction Method:Dried, fermented and then steam distilled.
Origin: East Indies, now can also be found in the West
Indies and Paraguay
Description: Egg shaped leaves that appear opposite one
another make up this widely used herb. It usually grows from
two to three fat high and is harvested two or three times
yearly depending on the local climate and growing conditions.
Premium oil comes from product that is distilled close to to
the fields where it is harvested.
Color: It has whitish flowers, tinged with purple
Historical Uses: Patchouli has always been used in perfumery
and in patchouli soap.
Quite popular in Asia, especially in India the earthy fragrance
is offensive to some. This fragrance gained wild popularity
in the sixties and was a badge of honor worn by the counter
culture of that time.
Note: Bottom
History: Originally from India it was exported as crop
to the West Indies and Paraguay. It's use has been widespread
for centuries, mostly as an fragrance with few medicinal qualities.
Primarily used as an agent to banish lethargy. Patchouli was
placed between Indian cashmere shawls exported to England,
to insure that the merchandise would not be infested with moths.
Shawls without the smell of patchouli could not be sold in England
at this time.
Mixes with: bergamot, clary sage,
geranium, lavender and myrrh
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