I happened upon patchouli in its leafy green herbaceous form for the first time in Southern India, and I was thoroughly surprised by the level and longevity of euphoria created from inhaling the leaves between my fingers. With its deeply intoxicating, earthy aroma, patchouli medicine invites us to connect with the playful side of life, to remember that life is a great dance. Sometimes we dance alone, often with a partner and even joyously as a group.
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I happened upon patchouli in its leafy green herbaceous form for the first time in Southern India, and I was thoroughly surprised by the level and longevity of euphoria created from inhaling the leaves between my fingers. With its deeply intoxicating, earthy aroma, patchouli medicine invites us to connect with the playful side of life, to remember that life is a great dance. Sometimes we dance alone, often with a partner and even joyously as a group.
This is the power of essential oils. The volatile oil released through the crushing of the patchouli had an immediate effect on our brains and nervous system through olfaction and benefited our entire physiology. Let’s look at the why and then how you can bring this potent alchemy to yourselves, your tribes, and your client treatments.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are the most volatile, concentrated aspects of aromatic plants. As products of plant metabolism, essential oils mediate between the plant and its environment. They are stored in various parts of the plant: roots (ginger), fruit (bergamot), flowers (ylang ylang), heartwood (sandalwood) and leaves (patchouli). Essential oils are extracted solely through a distillation process (water/steam/vapor). Citrus oils can be obtained via the expression (pressing) of their peels, but another method is called supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. In this more sophisticated technology, CO2 as both liquid and gas extracts the aromatic compounds.
From an energetic perspective, essential oils represent the “quintessence” and vibrational pattern of the plant and assist us in opening and elevational our own vibrational perspective in life by expanding our auric field, chakras, and meridian points for clearing, balancing and expansion of self-awareness. They become an anchor for our intentions both biochemically within the brain and through our psycho-spiritual aspects as well. They put us into direct connection with our bodies, breath, and the present moment as a means for us to come to a greater understanding of the importance of self-love and compassion through self-care.
Every precious drop of essential oil contains a range of biochemically active constituents that lend their specific chemical profiles to balance, heal and harmonize our holistic well-being. The versatility of patchouli from a medicinal perspective is often overshadowed by its aroma association with a 1960s summer of love. Rich in sesquiterpenes and patchoulol, this oil has numerous benefits including antioxidant, central nervous system regulation and antifungal properties.
Patchouli Passion
Unlike most essential oils and more like a fine wine, patchouli improves with time. This oil offers such extensive benefits, everything from the beauty of heart opening euphoria, which is so important as we’re working to open ourselves to greater levels of emotional freedom. It also assists in supporting immunity, grounding and is also wonderfully helpful for dissolving fear and anxiety. It has been proven to be antidepressant-like in its functioning and has anti-inflammatory properties that support the immune system.1
Related: The Best Essential Oils for Skin Concerns
Physical Wellness
Patchouli contains another ally of physical well-being, patchoulene. This anti-inflammatory effect makes patchouli a wonderful resource for skin care including the acne prone complexion and more mature skin, as well as wounds and eczema. As a cell regenerator, it rejuvenates the vibrancy of the skin. Research continues to explore its anticancer properties to inhibit tumor growth.2
The aphrodisiac benefits of patchouli are plentiful. I love blending patchouli with other sultry aromatics like sandalwood, jasmine, bergamot, clove, geranium, oud, ylang-ylang, rose and ginger (See Amour Massage Formula Sidebar).
Mental & Emotional Wellness
Patchouli oil shines in the realm of mental health, possessing a powerful stress reducing benefit, even addressing appetite control, which is often related to stress. For those who experience anxiousness, depression and cyclical patterns of over thinking, patchouli is a true ally with its ability to promote a deep sense of relaxation. Patchouli has a rich, beautiful and earthly aroma that is almost hypnotic in nature, encouraging us to embody a vibrant life rich in all facets of health and harmony (See Nourish the Brain Sidebar).3
Patchouli Restful Hydrotherapy
The grounding woodsy aroma of this bath delights the senses and soothes a weary spirit after a long day. The magnesium sulfate of epsom salts adds another level of relaxation to your experience. Why not try a cup of passionflower and rose herbal tea and a softly scented candle to fully set the stage for your deep slumber?
To avoid potential skin irritation, blend the oils in coconut oil or other carrier before adding to the bath. Add 7-10 drops of an essential oil or synergy to your hydrotherapy. Blend into warm water and soak for at least twenty minutes (See Hydro Patchouli Blend Sidebar).
Spiritual
The spirit of patchouli invites us to open and trust. First in our physical body, and that we are positioned exactly where we are meant to be in the moment. It then encourages us to expand our connection with the earth to surrender and trust the ground beneath our feet, that all our needs will be met.
Its ability to calm anxiousness, soothe inflamed emotions and center the soul lend it as an excellent source for mindfulness meditation. A meditation practice need not be lengthy to receive the numerous mind-body benefits of increased immunity, decreased stress response and enhanced emotional resilience (See Patchouli Meditation Oil Sidebar). Progress always wins over perfection. it is better to have consistency at five minutes a day than an hour a month.
Perfect in Patchouli
Every home aromatic arsenal should have a small bottle of patchouli as a versatile medicine for keeping bugs at bay, as it works as an effective non-chemical insect repellent. It is also a profound remedy for anxiousness and frigidity, encouraging vibrancy to flow through the body. It bolsters immunity, and is a wonderful skin cell regenerator.
Adora Winquist, founder of The Soul Institute, is a modern alchemist, author and heart-centered spiritual mentor whose expertise elevates others to embody their soul purpose and thrive in all facets of their life.
