Dear Readers, it's time to embrace your inner hippie and get to know Patchouli! Not the dubious bottles you pick up from the street vendors that are blended with some other kind of musk and probably smell terrible. No, we're talking about the therapeutic grade essential oil. Many popular perfumes actually contain patchouli as a base note, however I love the woody, earthy and aromatic smell on its own (and yes, it's heavily concentrated and a little goes a long way - a lesson I learned the hard way once when a woman in Whole Foods told me she could smell me all the way down the aisle...whoopsies!).
Patchouli also contains some amazing benefits. It's an aphrodisiac (had to list that one first!), an anti-depressant, a diuretic, a reputed appetite inhibitor, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and a fever reducer. In terms of skincare, it helps heal and prevent acne (and scars) and fights fine lines. It also helps to treat eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. While there is a bit of debate on whether you should apply patchouli "neat" (undiluted) or not, I would recommend some dilution with a carrier oil. You can always patch test on your forearm to see if applying it neat gives you a reaction. Run out of deodorant? Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel, add a drop or 2 of patchouli essential oil and blot under your arms. It works! Added bonus - it repels mosquitoes and moths (and I'm sure some patchouli detractors would say humans!). In fact, patchouli gained popularity in the West in the 18th and 19th century as silk traders from Asia and the Middle East pressed leaves into the cloths to prevent moths from laying eggs. And in Europe, the patchouli smell in cashmeres and silks became a way to verify authenticity of origin.
(Funny patchouli fact: According to Wikipedia, "In 1985 Mattel used patchouli oil in the plastic used to make the action figure, Stinkor, in the Masters of the Universe line of toys.")
Weigh in - love it or hate it?
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