Escentia Patchouli Essential Oil

Description of plant:
A bushy plant with furry leaves, four inches long and five inches across. The plant grows to about three feet and has white flowers with a purple hue.

Extraction:
Steam distillation of the dried leaves.

Charactersitics:
A dark orange or brownish-coloured, viscous liquid, possessing an extremely rich, sweet-herbaceous, aromatic-spicy and woody balsamic odour.
BASE NOTE

Odour effects:
Earthy.

Cautions:
Said to be sedative in low doses, but somewhat stimulating in high. May cause loss of appetite. The powerful odour may be too persistent for some people.

Main chemical constituents:
Patchoulinone, isopatchoulene – 2%
Alpha-guaiene, patchoulenes, alpha-bulnesene, seychellenes, cadinene, caryophyllene, aromadendrene – 50%
Guaiene oxide, bulnesene oxide, caryophyllene oxide – 6%
Alpha-pinene, Beta-pinene, limonene – 2%
Guaiol, bulnesol, pogostol, patchouli alcohol – 33%

Properties and indications:
MIND
Earthy aura promotes a grounding effect. Seems to sharpen the wit, making the mind more objective.
BODY
Most outstanding feature is its binding action due to powerful astringent and cicatrisant properties. This could be helpful for loose skin, especially after dieting. Seems to curb appetite. Marked diuretic properties could help for water retention and cellulite. Said to offset heavy sweating, also combining this with a deodorising action. There is some association between Patchouli and increasing libido.
SKIN
Said to be a tissue regenerator, assisting growth of skin cells and scar tissue. Apparently heals rough, cracked skin, sores and wounds. May also help with eczema, fungal infections and scalp disorders.

Other uses:
A fixative in soaps and perfumes, used widely in fine fragrances for oriental notes.