Be a genuine mykarma hippie with the unmistakable scent of our classic Patchouli essential oil. This oil underwent a surge in popularity in the 1960's and 1970's, mostly among devotees of the free love lifestyle, since the pungent smell of patchouli was known to cover the smell of burnt cannabis and body odour! During the Vietnam war, American soldiers used patchouli to mask the smell of the graves of enemy soldiers killed in combat and war protesters of the time used patchouli on themselves, to demonstrate that "we are all one race, we are the same as the enemy soldiers. It can also be used as a hair conditioner for dreadlocks and one study suggests it serves as an outdoor insect repellent.
The scent of patchouli is heavy and strong. It has been used for centuries in perfumes and is grown in the East and West Indies. It is ideal in oil burners for its long lasting seductive aroma. Soothing and uplifting and a sensual mood enhancer and aphrodisiac, it helps prevent dry, chapped or cracked skin. This oil has a sweet rich herbaceous odour. Because of its aroma, Patchouli can have a very soothing effect on the mind and body. It helps with problem skin, i.e. sensitive skin. An excellent aid to prevent prematurely ageing skin, it blends well with lavender, rose, neroli, sandalwood, bergamot and ylang ylang.
During the 18th and 19th century silk traders from China travelling to the Middle East packed their silk cloth with dried patchouli leaves to prevent moths from laying their eggs on the cloth. Many historians speculate that this association with opulent eastern goods is why patchouli was considered by Europeans of that era to be a luxurious scent. This trend has continued to the present day in modern perfumery.
The patchouli plant is a bushy herb reaching two or three feet in height. The plant grows well in southern climates. It enjoys hot weather but not direct sunlight. Patchouli is a tropical member of the mint family, grown in the East and West Indies. Leaves are harvested several times a year, dried, and exported for distillation of the oil, although the highest quality oil is usually produced from fresh leaves, distilled close to the plantation.
