by The Puritan's Pride Editorial Team
The patchouli plant is a bushy herb from the mint family that’s native to tropical Asia but now widely cultivated as far away as South America and the Caribbean. The patchouli’s small, pink-white flowers bear the distinctive scent that has been used in perfumery for centuries, and more recently in incense, insect repellents, and herbal teas. In ancient Egypt, King Tut was said to be buried with 10 gallons of patchouli oil because he loved it so much!
The scent of patchouli oil can be described as earthy, rich and herbaceous with sweet and woody undertones. In perfumery, it is often used as a base note that slows the evaporation of more dominant top notes, like citrus notes and ginger. Patchouli also improves with age if stored properly: the older it is, the more robust the scent becomes.
Patchouli blends well with citrus scents like lemon, tangerine, and orange, and floral scents like lavender, ylang-ylang, and rose.
Patchouli is traditionally used for tranquility and serenity, and is most often associated with meditation. It can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own with the aid of a diffuser, but we love to use it in body and home care recipes as well. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply 2-3 drops to beard and mustache until the oil is evenly distributed. Use once daily to keep beard conditioned, and store in an airtight container when not in use.
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and gently massage into the skin after shaving.
Mix all ingredients in a small glass jar and dab on pulse points. Store in an airtight container for later use.
Those who like simple scents will appreciate this one, plus it is unisex, perfect for men and women. Simply mix all ingredients in a small glass jar and dab on pulse points. Store in an airtight container for later use.
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and massage over the body as desired. Pay special attention to dry patches and sore muscles.
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle, and spritz around any room in the home. Use any time your home begins to smell less than fresh.
Combine all ingredients in your favorite diffuser to fill your home with a pleasant soft and floral scent.
Mix ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. Pat dry.
Fold the cloth scraps and put into the large jar. Mix the vinegar and patchouli oil in a separate bowl. Dampen the cloths with the mixture, but do not fully saturate. Store in the jar and use one cloth per load of laundry.
Mix ingredients and sprinkle the salts into the corner of the shower. As you bathe, the shower water will dissolve the salts and release the essential oil blend into the air.
Mix essential oil with liquid laundry detergent before use, and use as directed.
Note: Do not apply essential oils directly to clothing; always dilute it in the liquid detergent first.
Warning – essential oils are not for internal use. Never apply undiluted oil directly to skin.
