By The Spiritual Explorer | Published 20 January, 2016
Dear Spiritual Explorer: I am very familiar with how you have described one of the benefits of patchouli oil to harken back to the 60’s and 70’s as a kind of a hippie perfume. Did you know however that it has many medicinal and other benefits also? Lenny P., Detroit, MI
Dear Lenny: I hope I haven’t offended you by my limiting the benefits of patchouli oil to a mere aromatic, although that is certainly one of my best remembrances of patchouli oil. However, I must say you have awakened my awareness to the other properties and benefits of patchouli oil for which I am most grateful, particularly since we sell a Triloka Patchouli Essential Oil of which I am particularly fond. It has a warm, earthy scent that I feel can ground someone and was probably then a valued property during those “hippie” days.
6 Medicinal effects and benefits of patchouli oil
- Insecticide: The insecticidal and insect repellant properties of this oil have been known for many years, particularly as it was used in the protection of clothes and fabrics from insects. As history moved forward, more health benefits of patchouli essential oil have been discovered, and it is now one of the most versatile and celebrated essential oils on the market.
- Antidepressant: One of my friends uses this oil when she is depressed. She claims that it can work as well for her as her previous usage of anti-depressants. While I certainly don’t advocate non-use of necessary drugs, I do know that this oil, from anecdotal stories, appears to help people get over feelings of sadness or loss. That is why patchouli essential oil is so frequently used in aromatherapy. It uplifts moods, drives away disappointment, and relaxes tension. It appears that inhaling patchouli oil has a definite effect on hormones and various chemical reactions in the body and mind.
- Antiseptic: My personal use of the benefits of patchouli oil has been when I have little bug bites. I just sprinkle some patchouli oil and feel that this is a great remedy to keep the bites from getting further infected. In fact, even the medical profession has long recognized its antiseptic qualities.
- Aphrodisiac: It has long been known, blush blush, that one of the benefits of patchouli oil is that it is good for treating sexual problems and sexual anxiety. Now whether the patchouli oil is an actual aphrodisiac or brings about a deep relaxation enabling feelings of intimacy, I can only repeat what I have long heard. Perhaps the scent contributed to what was known as the “free love” in the 60’s. If that is so, we can be very grateful to that time.
- Astringent: This powerful essential oil stimulates contractions in muscles, nerves and skin. This helps strengthen the hold of gums on the teeth, prevents sagging skin, hair loss, and loosening of muscle tissue. The astringency of patchouli oil also helps stop hemorrhaging by contracting the blood vessels. It can act as an anti-aging substance in this way, since loosening of muscle and skin is commonly associated with getting old.
- Deodorant: Many women are turning away from conventional use of deodorants since it is felt that it can inhibit the natural flow of sweat from their bodies. The musky aroma of patchouli is known to eliminate and mask body odor. As a massage therapist in the 90’s when I was working with clients, I would often use it personally on my underarms. It felt safe to me.
Other common benefits of patchouli oil is that the essential oil helps speed the healing process of cuts and wounds and fading of scars. Most remarkably, it is known to stimulate the generation of new bodily cells, which helps in the production of red blood cells and thus can boost energy levels.
And these latter benefits of patchouli oil make it an indispensable ingredient in your medicine cabinet. Enjoy this wonderful healing and aromatic scent!
If you have a question about the “benefits of patchouli oil,” or anything else, you can write me at Ask The Spiritual Explorer.
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