Exploring Patchouli

Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli) is a bush that belongs to the mint family and grows mainly in India and western China. It has purple-white flowers, which are used for their strong aromatic scent. The leaves of this plant have been traditionally used as an ingredient in perfumes, incense sticks, soaps, cosmetics, and even medicines due to its unique aroma. Its popularity has grown significantly over the years with many people using it as a natural remedy for various ailments such as skin problems or digestive issues. With its increasing demand from consumers around the world, patchouli is becoming more widely available than ever before.

​​Patchouli is a plant that has been used for centuries in perfumes and incense. Its leaves produce the essential oil of patchouli which is obtained through steam distillation. The word derives from the Tamil patchai (green) and ellai (leaf). This unique scent has become increasingly popular over time, with many people using it as an ingredient in their fragrances or to create a calming atmosphere at home. It's also known to have medicinal properties such as being antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and even aphrodisiacal!

Patchouli has been used for centuries in perfumery and is a key note focus in many fragrances. It has a unique and powerful scent with a camphorous, earthy and woody character that can be quite intense when first applied but mellows out over time. Patchouli oil gets even better with ageing as the aroma develops further complexity making it an ideal choice for long-lasting scents. The use of patchouli notes have become increasingly popular due to its versatility, allowing it to be blended into different types of fragrances such as floral or oriental blends.

Patchouli is a note that works best when worn between fall and spring. During these shoulder-and-colder seasons, the warming notes of patchouli are able to come alive in a way that complements its full-bodied scents. Though it can still be suitable for summer, those cooler months really bring out the unique qualities of this note.

Patchouli is a unique and versatile scent that can be used in many different ways. The magic of patchouli is that it pairs well with pretty much every other scent family, making it an ideal choice for creating custom fragrances. It has a sweet yet earthy aroma which makes it perfect for blending with floral scents like jasmine or rose, as well as woodsy notes such as cedarwood and sandalwood.