Patchouli Oil: Uses & Benefits

Do you want a clear, healthy complexion?

Are you looking for a natural way to boost your mood?

Do you want a natural way to protect your body from infections?

Patchouli oil is a versatile oil that has been used for centuries in a wide variety of reasons.  It is incredibly popular in aromatherapy and massage therapy practices because of its pleasant, sweet aroma as well as its ability to stimulate hormones that promote feelings of happiness and emotional calm.  This essential oil from the mint family also has antiseptic properties that can be used to protect wounds from infection as well as to ward off fevers and viral infections, and can even be mixed with water or lotion to create a highly effective insect repellant.

What Is Patchouli Essential Oil?

Principal Benefits

• Balances the emotional state
• Reduces skin imperfections such as wrinkles and blemishes
• Protects the body from illness and infections

How to Use Patchouli Essential Oil

Diffusing patchouli oil is well known to promote a balanced emotional state and to level out the ups and downs of stress and anxiety. Users can also incorporate into skin care products because of the amazing benefits that it can have on the complexion.

Patchouli Essential Oil Uses

• Combine with peppermint oil and a carrier oil and massage into neck and temples to relieve stress.
• Combine with water and spray onto clothing to repel insects.
• Apply topically to enhance the healing process of wounds and sores.
• Add 1-2 drops into a facial moisturizer to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes as well as to tighten the skin.
• Diffuse to encourage calm and peace, promoting healthy, restful sleep.
• Consume to boost the metabolic processes that break down foods, process nutrients, and burn fats and cholesterols.

Directions for Use:

• Aromatic: Add 3-4 drops to a diffuser, or dilute one drop with carrier oil and place directly beneath the nose.
• Topical: May be applied directly to the skin, or diluted with a carrier oil.
• Internal: Consume four ounces of liquid per drop of oil.

Patchouli Essential Oil Health Benefits

• Add a few drops to a facial moisturizer or cleanser and let this oil’s amazing cleansing benefits get to work; topical use can promote smooth, healthy, radiant skin and may reduce the appearance of blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin spots.
• This oil is a diuretic and improves the frequency of urination, which can lead to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and the presence of fewer toxins in the body.
• Inhalation can stimulate the release of “happy hormones” such as dopamine and serotonin, which can dispel feelings of anxiety and sadness to promote a balanced emotional state.  Diffusing this oil can also harness the oil’s calming qualities to lead to a more restful night’s sleep.
• Has antiseptic properties that can be used to protect wounds against infections.  It is also speeds the healing process of cuts and scrapes and minimized the potential of developing scarring after the healing process.
• Has aphrodisiac properties and can be used to increase libido, reduce effects of erectile dysfunction, and stimulate estrogen and testosterone.
• Sedative properties found in the oil can be used to calm coughs and convulsions resulting from sensitivity of the nervous system.  It may also reduce the effects of allergic reactions.
• This essential oil is a highly effective insecticide.  It can be used in sprays and lotions or even diffused aromatically to keep mosquitos, ants, fleas, and even bed bugs at bay.
• Use to reduce fevers or to relieve inflammation resulting from fevers.
• Topical application can fight fungal growth and infections.

Patchouli – Pogostemon cablin

Patchouli Essential Oil Research

Patchouli is an herbaceous plant in the mint family, and is a close cousin of peppermint.  The stems of this plant can grow to be over two feet tall and can be recognized by its small, pink flowers.  Its rich, musky fragrance has sealed its place in the perfume and fragrance industry and, in combination with its powerful complexion benefits, is also widely used as an ingredient in skin care products.  Users should note that its aroma packs a powerful aromatic punch, so a few drops can go a long way.

Patchouli Essential Oil Nutrition

Patchouli oil does not yield nutritional benefits in and of itself, as it is not specifically a vitamin or nutrient supplement.  However this oil can be ingested to the overall benefit of many of the bodily systems that support the processing of nutrients taken in the form of foods or supplements.  One noted property of this essential oil is that it is an effective diuretic, and both stimulates the ability of the liver and kidneys to effectively filter out toxins from the body and encourages the regularity of urination and perspiration to remove toxins.  Use also may boost the metabolic processes that break down cholesterols and fats, which can improve both blood pressure and cholesterol levels and also increase the body’s ability to naturally glean nutrients from previously consumed foods and other supplements. These claims are not approved by the FDA.

Patchouli Essential Oil Safety

This essential oil is safe to ingest in small quantities; however users should exercise caution and limit direct ingestion to small dosages, as highly concentrated doses may cause nausea or vomiting. It can be applied to the skin safely without dilution, but users with sensitive skin may prefer to dilute with a carrier oil to minimize the risk of irritation.  Users should note that this oil’s intensely strong aroma can be overpowering and will linger for long periods of time.  The use of essential oils should not be substituted for any prescribed medication for any medical condition, and should not be used against the advice of a medical practitioner.

Patchouli Essential Oil Substitutes

The benefits of essential oils are not backed by scientific studies or recommended by the FDA.  As mentioned above, they should never be substituted medications prescribed by a doctor or against the recommendation of a medical practitioner.  However the benefits of this essential oil may be used to complement medications and supplements that target specific ailments.  For example, users who struggle with anxiety can use patchouli to naturally stimulate the production of serotonin or dopamine, but should not rely on it in place of prescribed anxiety medications or antidepressants.

Patchouli Essential Oil Blends Well With

Patchouli oil can be blended with other like-acting oils to compound the beneficial effects of both oils.  For example, diffusing in combination with another oil with calming, balancing effects on the emotional state can promote an even greater sense of relaxation.  Consider using combining with several drops of eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, or lavender oil.  These same combinations can also, as a result of increased relaxation, lead to more restful sleeping habits.  Combining in a spray or lotion with another oil with insect repelling qualities can create an even more powerful repellant.  Basil, pine, and bergamot oil all pair well for this purpose.  To create a more rejuvenating facial cleanser or moisturizer, it oil can be combined with Melissa, myrrh, or eucalyptus oil.

Some other popular aromatic potential pairings include bergamot, clary sage, geranium, thyme, peppermint, and vetiver.

Conclusion

Patchouli oil’s distinct, musky, sweet scent can be overpowering for some, but can be used for a variety of purposes.  It has been known to increase the release of “happiness hormones” such as serotonin that drive out feelings of stress, sadness, and anxiety and in turn promote feelings of balance and emotional wellness.  It can also be combined with water or a carrier oil to create a homemade powerful insect repellant.  This oil has incredible purifying and rejuvenating qualities when used in facial moisturizers and cleansers.

Disclaimer

Can patchouli oil really help to boost your mood?  There are no published and scientifically backed studies that would support this claim, and the FDA does not evaluate any stated health benefits of any oils.  Essential oils should never be used in place of prescribed medication or specifically to treat or diagnose any illness, nor should they be used against the advice of a doctor.  However avid users of essential oils have reported feeling happier and healthier when using patchouli oil, and have also reported sleeping better.  Similar testimonials exist for the other benefits detailed in this article.