Patchouli oil is an essential oil with many uses, from applying to dry skin to using as an antifungal agent. It may have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. However, talk with a medical professional before using this essential oil.
Patchouli oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant, a type of aromatic herb.
In order to produce patchouli oil, the leaves and stems of the plant are harvested and allowed to dry out. They then undergo a distillation process to extract the essential oil.
Read on to learn about patchouli oil, its benefits, and how to use it.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
Patchouli oil has a characteristic scent that some describe as woody, sweet, and spicy. Because of this, people often use it as a scent additive in products such as perfumes, cosmetics, and incense.
Patchouli oil has a variety of additional uses throughout the world. Anecdotally, some people use patchouli oil for:
- relieving skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, and dry, cracked skin
- easing symptoms of conditions such as colds, headaches, and stomach upset
- relieving depression
- providing feelings of relaxation and helping to ease stress or anxiety
- helping with oily hair or dandruff
- an insecticide, antifungal, or antibacterial agent
It is important to not take patchouli oil by mouth due to potential risks and the lack of sufficient scientific research on its safety for oral consumption.
Much of the evidence for the benefits of patchouli oil is anecdotal. This means that it comes from personal experience or testimony.
In recent years, researchers have been actively investigating many of the uses and benefits of patchouli oil. Below, we’ll explore what their research tells us so far.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Several studies have demonstrated that patchouli oil has an anti-inflammatory effect:
- Swelling is a large part of your body’s inflammatory response. A recent
study in mice found that one component of patchouli oil decreased chemically induced swelling in their paws and ears. - Immune cells produce a variety of chemicals associated with inflammation. A 2011 study reported that pretreating immune cells called macrophages with patchouli alcohol lowered the levels of these molecules produced by the cells when they were stimulated.
- Immune cells must also migrate to the site of inflammation. A 2016 study in cultured cells found that patchouli oil reduced migration of immune cells called neutrophils.
These findings are promising for the use of patchouli oil or its components in relieving inflammatory conditions.
In fact, a 2017 study administered patchouli oil to rats with chemically induced inflammatory bowel disease.They found that rats treated with patchouli oil had less damage and immune cell accumulation in their colon.
Further studies, including ones in human subjects, are necessary to justify the use of patchouli oil as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Pain relief
A
They noted that this pain-relieving effect may be associated with patchouli’s anti-inflammatory effects. However, further studies are necessary to confirm this.
Skin application
A 2014 study treated mice with patchouli oil for two hours and then exposed them to ultraviolet radiation, which can age and damage skin. Using a variety of tests, the study assessed the potential protective effects of patchouli oil.
The researchers found that mice treated with patchouli oil had less wrinkle formation and an increase in collagen content. Further research is necessary to see if the same benefit can be observed in people.
For weight loss
Patchouli oil is sometimes listed as a good essential oil for weight loss. While no studies in humans have been performed to evaluate this, a small 2006 study in rats looked at the effect that inhaling patchouli oil had on factors like body weight and amount of food eaten.
The researchers found no significant difference in body weight or amount of food consumed between the rats that had inhaled patchouli oil and those that didn’t.
Antibacterial activity
Disease-causing bacteria use things like biofilms and virulence factors to effectively colonize a host and overcome its defenses. A 2018 study observed that patchouli oil was able to disrupt biofilms and some virulence factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.
A 2017 study looked at a blend of several essential oils, including patchouli oil. The investigators assessed whether the blend inhibited the growth of bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The inhibition observed for the blend was overall similar to that observed for a liquid soap. Patchouli oil by itself inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa similarly to the blend, and it inhibited the growth of S. pneumoniae better than the blend.
Antifungal activity
A
Antifungal activity was also observed for A. niger. However, the researchers noted that previous studies haven’t demonstrated the same results.
As an insecticide
Patchouli oil has insecticidal properties, and several studies have assessed its effect on different species of insects. Discovering natural insecticides could be very beneficial, as many human-made insecticides are damaging to the environment.
One
Lastly, a study from 2015 tested the toxicity of several commercially available essential oils on two species of mosquitoes. Patchouli oil was the most toxic. However, the authors noted that it’s still significantly less toxic than human-made pesticides.
Take care when applying patchouli oil to the skin in case a reaction occurs. Never apply undiluted patchouli essential oil to the skin.
As some anecdotal reports suggest that patchouli oil can affect blood clotting, the following people should avoid using patchouli oil:
- those taking blood-thinning medication
- those who have recently had or will be undergoing major surgery.
- those with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia
As always, it’s important to remember that essential oils are very concentrated and should be properly diluted before using them on the skin or for aromatherapy.
Never eat or drink any essential oil.
You can apply patchouli topically and or use it for aromatherapy.
On your skin
It’s important to always follow proper dilution guidelines when using essential oils.
You should dilute essential oils for topical application with a carrier oil. There is a wide variety of carrier oils available, including jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and avocado oil.
Conduct a patch test before using patchouli oil on your skin.
Try a patch test
- Mix patchouli oil with the carrier oil.
- Apply a few drops of your test solution to the absorbent pad of a bandage, and place it on the inside of your forearm.
- Remove the bandage after 48 hours to check for signs of skin irritation.
Inhalation
Patchouli oil is suitable for aromatherapy, such as steam inhalation or diffuser use. As with topical applications, it’s important to dilute essential oils appropriately.
When inhaling essential oils, do so in a well-ventilated area, taking a break every 30 minutes. Prolonging your exposure without a break could lead to headache, nausea, or dizziness. Don’t expose pets, children, or the general public to diffused essential oils.
Blending
Patchouli oil mixes well with many other essential oils, where it contributes its rich, spicy aroma. Some examples of oils to blend patchouli with include:
- cedarwood
- frankincense
- jasmine
- myrrh
- rose
- sandalwood
Patchouli oil is an essential oil that comes from the leaves of the patchouli plant. Some people use it for managing skin conditions and relieving stress. You can apply the diluted oil to your skin or use it for aromatherapy.
Much of the evidence for the benefits of patchouli oil is anecdotal. Some promising research is beginning to show that it may have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving properties, but further research is necessary to confirm any of these claims.