Patchouli, Iron Free Essential Oil - Aged 9 Year
Pogostemon cablin
This Patchouli is iron free because it is distilled in stainless steel vessels as opposed to the crude iron vessels of past.
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Essential Facts
- Country of Origin:Indonesia
- Plant Parts:Leaves
- Cultivation Method:Organically Grown
- Note Classification:Base
- Method of Extraction:Steam or Hydro Distillation
- Botanical Family:Lamiaceae
- Chemical Family: Sesquiterpenes, Sesquiterpenols
- Extraction Date: Spring 2014
- Approx. Shelf Life: gets better with age
Notes & Use
Traditional Use of Patchouli, Iron Free - Aged 9 Year
Patchouli is a tropical plant native to Asia, renowned for its numerous medicinal applications. It has antibacterial, antidepressant, and antifungal properties. It's also been used as an aphrodisiac, a substance that can help with gas problems (carminative), a substance promoting urine production (diuretic), a substance to stimulate menstruation (emmenagogue), a fever reducer (febrifuge), a general stimulant, and a tonic. Notably, patchouli has also been employed as an antidote for venomous snakebites and insect stings.
In Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient holistic healing system from India, patchouli is used to balance two of the body's energy types, or doshas: vata and pitta. Vata, associated with air and water, is involved in functions like blood circulation and waste elimination. Pitta, combining fire and water, controls metabolic systems, including digestion and temperature regulation. Thus, patchouli is utilized for conditions like inflammation, arthritis, cough, loss of appetite, and digestive disorders, which can be tied to imbalances in these doshas.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where patchouli is known as "guanghuoxiang", its medicinal uses date back to the Han Dynasty. The leaves, flowering spikes, and roots of the plant, all rich in essential oils and flavonoids, are used to treat a range of health issues. These include mood disorders, bacterial infections, fevers, malaria, headaches, colds, and coughs, as well as digestive and liver conditions. Recent Chinese studies have shown patchouli can have a cytotoxic effect, damaging certain cancer cells, and can prevent blood platelets from sticking together.
In various Asian medical traditions, patchouli is also used for conditions such as nervousness, bile problems, insufficient urination, menstrual pain, joint pain, and rheumatism.
Modern research corroborates these traditional uses and expands upon them. Scientists have found that patchouli extracts have potent antioxidant activity, which could be beneficial in diseases caused by oxidative stress.
It has also shown promise in treating pain, flu, sore throat, and inflammation of the middle ear. As such, the scientific interest in patchouli's potential medicinal uses continues to grow.
Botany
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is a unique aromatic plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the mint or deadnettle family. This family is known for its aromatic members that are characterized by square stems and opposite leaf arrangement. Originally native to tropical regions of Asia such as the Philippines and Malaysia, patchouli has now become a staple in many tropical climates around the globe.
As a perennial plant, patchouli lives for more than two years, growing to heights of about 2 to 3 feet. Structurally, it is considered a subshrub due to its mixed woody and herbaceous tissue. The soft yet erect stems, covered in fine hair, exhibit a square-shaped cross-section, a trait often associated with the mint family.
The leaves of patchouli are broadly egg-shaped, ovate, and sizable, measuring between 7–12 cm in length and 4–6 cm in width. They are especially fragrant when dried, owing to the essential oils they contain. The plant also produces small, pale pink-white flowers that have bilateral symmetry and grow in inflorescence spikes.
Suited to warm, tropical climates, patchouli is not frost-tolerant and prefers well-drained soil for optimal growth. In terms of its utility, the leaves are typically harvested two to three times a year to extract the highly valued patchouli oil through a process known as steam distillation. This oil, known for its strong, earthy scent, is commonly used in perfumes, soaps, incense, and a variety of other cosmetic and household products.
Within the larger classification of angiosperms or flowering plants, patchouli is a part of the eudicots clade, encompassing a significant number of flowering plant groups. The plant reproduces via several methods, including seeds, stem cuttings, and root division, with stem cuttings being the preferred method for commercial cultivation.
However, patchouli cultivation is not without its challenges, as the plant is susceptible to various fungal diseases and pests, including aphids and spider mites, which can have a significant impact on crop yield.
Despite these challenges, patchouli has maintained its popularity, not just for its commercial uses but also for its medicinal properties. Used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine, patchouli has potential medicinal properties, including acting as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and insecticidal agent.
Energetics
Energetics and Chakras
1st Chakra - survival and support, 2nd Chakra - relationships, creation energy, 3rd Chakra - personal power, 7th Chakra - higher informationEnergetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities of Patchouli, Iron Free - Aged 9 Year
- Chakra Balancing and Psychospiritual Harmony: In the context of chakra work, patchouli is not only associated with the base or root chakra, but it's also said to harmonize the interaction among the 1st (root), 3rd (solar plexus), 4th (heart), and 7th (crown chakras). It's used to balance and stimulate these chakras, promoting a sense of stability, personal power, love, and spiritual connection. Patchouli is also thought to exert a clarifying effect on the mind, especially helpful for individuals who have experienced prolonged stress, which can be beneficial following a nervous breakdown or a history of seizures.
- Grounding and Emotional Connection: Patchouli is believed to provide grounding for those who may have been emotionally neglected or who have become detached from their physical body's needs. By maintaining contact with one's feelings, patchouli may also aid in understanding and recalling dreams, enhancing one's introspective abilities.
- Aura Cleansing: As part of its aura cleansing properties, patchouli is thought to help remove blockages and restore a smooth flow of energetic vitality, essential for overall well-being.
- Prosperity and Abundance: In various folkloric traditions, patchouli is believed to encourage financial prosperity and material abundance when used in prayer ceremonies. Its effect in this regard might be an indirect result of its ability to increase positive thinking and openness to the possibility of success.
- Protection: The protective energies of patchouli are also significant, shielding against negative influences or entities, and safeguarding an individual's energy or personal space.
Traditional Folklore
- Asian Cultures: Patchouli originates from Southeast Asia, where it has been used for centuries. In India, it's associated with the god Shiva and is used in religious rituals. Patchouli is also traditionally used in Asian medicine for its wide array of health benefits. Newlyweds in some Asian countries would often find patchouli in their matrimonial beds as a symbol of love.
- Middle Eastern Cultures: Patchouli was highly valued in the Middle East. The strong, distinctive scent of patchouli made it a popular perfume ingredient. It was considered a sign of wealth and luxury.
- European Cultures: In the Victorian era in Europe, patchouli was used to protect valuable textiles from moths. Its distinct scent was also a way to determine the authenticity of oriental fabrics imported into England. Patchouli was widely used in perfumery and was considered a symbol of bohemian luxury.
- African Cultures: In some African traditions, patchouli was used for its antiseptic properties to treat wounds and prevent infections. It was also used in incenses and perfumes.
- American Cultures: In North America, patchouli gained popularity during the 1960s and 70s with the counterculture movement. It was associated with freedom, peace, and connection to nature. In South American folk medicine, it's used for its healing and protective properties.
Chemistry
Therapeutic Benefits of Patchouli, Iron Free - Aged 9 Year
Anti-anxiety, Anti-bacterial, Anti-depressant, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Cicatrisant, Cooling, Deodorant, Insect repellent, Sedative, TonicAroma-Chemistry of Patchouli, Iron Free - Aged 9 Year
- Patchoulol (patchouli alcohol): This sesquiterpene alcohol is the major component of patchouli oil. It has been extensively studied for its various therapeutic properties. Some of these include:
- Antibacterial: It has been shown to be effective against a variety of bacteria, making it useful in preventing and treating bacterial infections.
- Antiviral: Some studies have suggested that patchoulol has activity against certain viruses.
- Anti-inflammatory: It may help to reduce inflammation, which can be beneficial in managing conditions that involve chronic inflammation.
- Wound healing: Some research has shown that patchoulol can promote wound healing, likely due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- α-Guaiene: This sesquiterpene hydrocarbon found in patchouli oil has been studied for:
- Antimicrobial: α-Guaiene has been shown to have antimicrobial properties against several types of pathogens, which can help prevent and treat infections.
- Anti-inflammatory: Similar to patchoulol, α-guaiene also has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Seychellene: This is another sesquiterpene hydrocarbon that contributes to the complex aroma of patchouli oil. Therapeutically, it has:
- Antioxidant properties: Seychellene is known for its antioxidant activity, which means it can neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. This might help in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
- α-Patchoulene and β-Patchoulene: These are sesquiterpene hydrocarbons with therapeutic benefits such as:
- Antimicrobial: α-Patchoulene, in particular, has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain types of bacteria.
- Norpatchoulenol: Another sesquiterpene alcohol in patchouli oil, norpatchoulenol has:
- Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects: Similar to patchoulol and α-guaiene, norpatchoulenol is reported to have both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Recipes & Blends
