Scientific name of Patchouli Essential Oil is Pogostemon cablin. The smell of patchouli oil brings the mind back to the hippy era. It was in the 60s and 70s that the free thinkers of the Aquarius age broke the mold, and started experimenting with different aromas. Patchouli, along with sandalwood and jasmine, turned out to be a favorite choice, particularly in Britain, and was used to odorize, as incense and perfume.

Women used sachets of patchouli-scented potpourri in their cupboards to scent their clothes, and patchouli was a main ingredient in incense sticks and the fumes were found wafting through many "groovy" homes.

The Actual patchouli is a bushy plant that grows up to 1meter (3 feet) high, with a powerful, hairy stem and large, fragrant, furry leaves, about four inches long and five inches across. It has whitish flowers tinged with purple. It is native to Malaysia and India, where it is known as 'puchaput'. The word is derived from Hindustan word 'patch' meaning 'green' and 'ilai' meaning 'leaf ‘. In the East, it is used in potpourris and sachets and place between linen, to keep bedbugs away, and it is the smell of patchouli oil, mixed with that of camphor, that gives Indian ink its characteristic smell.

This Patchouli oil has some goodness and those are given below:

Patchouli oil is extracted from the young leaves.  Which are then dried and fermented prior to steam distillation and yields 2 - 3 %. This oil improves with age to have a fuller, better-rounded odor.

Patchouli oil has grounding and balancing effect on the emotions and banishes lethargy, while sharpening the wits, fighting depression and anxiety. It is also said to create an amorous atmosphere. It is effective for fungal and bacterial infection and is of great help for insect bites. It could also be used as an insect repellant and is also used as a support for dealing with any substance addiction.

With its excellent diuretic properties, it is effective in fighting water retention and to break up cellulite, easing constipation and helping to reduce overweight. Furthermore, it has a great deodorizing action, and helps when feeling hot and bothered, while cooling down inflammations and assisting with wound healing.

On the skin, this oil is one of the most active and is a superb tissue regenerator, which helps to stimulate the growth of new skin cells. In wound healing, it not only promotes faster healing, but also helps to prevent ugly scarring when the wound heals. Patchouli oil is very effective in sorting out rough, cracked and overly dehydrated skin and is used to treat acne, eczema, sores, ulcers, any fungal infections, as well as scalp disorders.

In a lotion or cream, patchouli oil can be used for general skin care, as it has superb tissue regenerating properties, which helps rejuvenate the skin and stimulate the formation of new skin cells, while fighting infections. It also speeds up healing, while preventing the wound forming ugly scars and is effective for acne, eczema, weeping sores, ulcers, slow healing wounds, scalp disorders, as well as other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.