Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

COMMON NAME (English) /LATIN NAME (Latin): Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

Family: Lamiaceae

Habitat & Cultivation: Potent, furry perennial native to Malaysia and the Philippines that prefers to stay away from direct sunlight. Very popular plant in Chinese, Arabic and Indian herbal medicine. An exotic plant that is usually propagated from cuttings, and has been cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Constituents: Volatile oils (Sesquiterpenes patchoulol, bulnesene) - Alpha patchoulene, Beta patchoulene, Alpha guaiene, Alpha Bulnesene, Caryophyllene, Norpatchoulenol, Patchouli Alcohol, Seychellene, Pogostol

Actions: Aphrodisiac, Antiseptic, Stress & Nervous related problems, Astringent, Antiviral, Antiphlogistic, Anti-Inflammatory, Fungal Infections, Cell-regenerator, Antidepressant, Tonic

Parts Used:

• Aerial parts (leaves and shoots - fresh/dry)

Traditional Uses: Infused Oil, Essential Oil, Salve, Cream, Lotion, Shampoo, Soap, Aromatherapy, Perfumes, Incense

• Eczema, Acne, Cuts, Cracked Skin & Wounds: Improves the healing process as a skin-cell-regenerator (similar to Comfrey).

• Astringent: Helps to stimulate muscle, nerve, and skin tightening.

• Aging & Skin: A Cell-regenerator that aids with skin aging effects such as drooping.

• Antiphlogistic: An inflammation aid that helps to soothe the side of effects of fevering (externally and internally).

• Aphrodisiac: The plant stimulates estrogen and testosterone and increase the sex drive.

• Insect repellent, Incense, Pot-pourri

Caution: Do not use the essential oil internally. Keep essential oil out of the reach of children. Do not use oil while pregnant and on babies. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and other sensitive areas. Consult your physician if under care.

Credits: Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (Andrew Chevallier), The Complete Medicinal Herbal (Penelope Ody), Healing Remedies (C. Norman Shealy), National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs (Rebecca L. Johnson & Steven Foster, Tieraona Low Dog & David Kiefer), Britanica, University of Maryland Medical Center, National Library of Medicine