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Patchouli Oil
Natural Qualities of Patchouli oil:
The fragrance of Pogostemon cablin or "Patchouli" became popular
in the U.S. during the counter culture era of the 1960's, and
for many people of that period the aroma has strong associations
for better or worse. Unfortunately the aroma associated with
that time was often a product of synthetic formulations or poor
distillations and has sometimes given the actual aroma of a
well-distilled oil a poor name. The fragrance may deserve
"re-exploration" by those who have negative associations of the
oil for one reason or another. Botanical
Name:
Pogostemon cablin
Common Method
of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color:
Deep Golden Brown
Consistency:
Medium – Thick
Perfumery
Note: Base
Strength of
Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic
Description: Rich, earthy, woody aroma with a nearly hidden
fruity note.
Freshly distilled oil has a somewhat "green" and harsh note
which changes considerably with time. Aging of the oil for a
prolonged period will develop that full, rich and almost fruity
note for which the best grades of patchouly are renowned and so
highly esteemed by expert perfumers.
The uses to which patchouli oil is put to include cosmetics,
perfumes of all kinds, toiletries (with soaps being a major
consumer of this oil), breath refreshners especially in the East
(40 metric tons of patchouli are used by India's pan and tobacco
chewing industry), incense, etc.
Patachouli oil is reputed to to have antimicrobial and
insecticidal properties so it finds its way into some
therapeutic preparations and with the rise of aromatherapy, many
uses are being found for the oil on the physical, emotional and
mental levels.
Patchouli blends beautifully with labdanum, vetiver, sandalwood,
cedarwood derivatives, oakmoss, geranium, clove oils, lavender,
rose, bergamot, neroli, orris... cassia, myrrh, opoponax, sage
clary absolute, borneol, pine needle oils.
Long lasting, alcohol free perfumes
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