Patchouli Leaf

Latin Name
Pogostemon cablin

Herb Class/Action
• Grounding nervine
• Antidepressant
• Antifungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Skin regenerative

Parts Used
Dried or fresh leaves (often steam-distilled for essential oil)

Flavors
Earthy, musky, slightly bitter (primarily aromatic)

Energetics
Warming, moistening, grounding

Traditional Benefits
Used traditionally in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Southeast Asian medicine, patchouli leaf has been valued for its ability to calm the mind, balance emotions, and protect against infection. Its richly aromatic leaves are often used in incense, skincare, and as a base note in perfumery due to their long-lasting scent and healing properties.

A Natural Allergy Ally
Patchouli’s anti-inflammatory and antihistamine-like properties may help reduce skin irritation, rashes, and swelling related to allergic reactions. It also supports immunity and detoxification, indirectly lessening allergen sensitivity.

A Herb for Seasonal Support
Ideal for the cooler, drier seasons or times of emotional imbalance, patchouli nourishes dry skin, grounds anxious energy, and supports immune and lymphatic systems when seasonal change takes a toll on body and mood.

How It Works
Patchouli leaf is rich in sesquiterpenes and patchoulol, compounds that support skin repair, calm the nervous system, and reduce microbial overgrowth. It balances sebum production, promotes tissue regeneration, and offers deep emotional grounding through its earthy scent.

Best Ways to Use It
Tinctures/Extracts: Rarely used internally; more common in topical or aromatic formulas.
Herbal teas: Not typically consumed; use sparingly and only with guidance.
Topical applications: Ideal in facial oils, salves, or massage blends to support dry skin, scars, and fungal conditions. Also used in aromatherapy for grounding and emotional resilience.

Fun Fact
Patchouli gained fame in the 1960s as the signature scent of the counterculture movement, but its roots trace back to ancient Eastern medicine, where it was used to scent fabrics and prevent insect infestation.

A Herb for Modern Use
Patchouli leaf is a powerful modern remedy for nervous exhaustion, dry or inflamed skin, and emotional overload. Whether worn as perfume, massaged into the skin, or diffused in the air, it brings balance, sensuality, and restoration to mind and body.