Origin and diffusion
Known in botany as Pogostemon patchouly or Pogostemon heyneanus, the patchouli is a bushy suffrutice belonging to the Labiate family, native to Malaysia, tropical Asia in general and Oceania. Currently, patchouli is widely cultivated in India, China and the Philippines; quite widespread also in West Africa.
Botanical description
Extraction of essential oil
The importance of patchouli lies in its essential oil, very fragrant and particularly valuable in cosmetics. Like most essences, patchouli essential oil is extracted by fractional steam distillation of its green components (stem, leaves, etc.). ). The scent of the essential oil is very strong and intense, reminiscent of coumarin, an aromatic compound with a benzopyranic structure. The essence is characterized by an alcohol with a sesquiterpene chain, known as patchoulol, which characterizes patchouli; among the other active ingredients found in the phytocomplex, we also mention norpatchoulenol, bulnesol and pogostol. Another component is patchoulene, which boasts the same beneficial properties as chamomile azulene: by applying it to the skin, after diluting it into a greasy matrix, patchoulene seems to have healing properties for wounds.
The benzaldehyde and cinnamon aldehydes found in the patchouli phytocomplex are widely used in the medical sphere as adjuvants in the therapy against fungal infections.
Practice used in the extraction and purification process of volatile and sensitive components, at high temperatures, from medicinal plants: these thermolabile substances (eg terpenes) tend to degrade when subjected to temperatures close to their boiling point. To obviate this drawback, the vegetable matrices, rich in active ingredients, are distilled in a current of steam: in the aforementioned extraction practice, the only solvent capable of extracting the active ingredients is water, capable of breaking up the plant systems that contain thanks to the temperature.
Uses of patchouli essence
Patchouli essential oil is widely used in cosmetics, thanks to its particularly intense and strong scent: it seems that the olfactory vibration made by the phytocomplex is used as a mild anxiolytic, useful for combating states of anxiety and tension.
The alcoholic extract of patchouli has moderately anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and venous decongestant properties; in the East, the essential oil of patchouli is also widely used in the medical field to counteract rheumatic and joint pains, headaches, stomach pain and nausea.
The essence of patchouli is exploited in the perfumery as a regenerating, refreshing and rebalancing; some authors venture to attribute mild aphrodisiac properties to the phytocomplex.
In countries such as Japan and Malaysia, patchouli extract is considered an effective antidote to snake venom.
The active ingredients extracted from patchouli leaves are used as an insecticide and insect repellent, particularly useful against underground termites.
The use of the patchouli fragrance as an air freshener is well known.
Strange and bizarre custom of patchouli in Asian countries: its extract is used in the food industry as a flavoring for confectionery, thanks to its particular and intense fragrance.
The essence of patchouli is also added to fatty matrices (eg sunflower oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil, etc.) for massage oils: patchouli, in fact, also boasts revitalizing properties.
Summary
Patchouli: in short
Widely grown in India, China and the Philippines; quite widespread also in West Africa.
Flowers: bilobed, white with reddish streaks
Stem: purple red color
Leaves: large and ovate
Bouquet: intense
- Patchoulol: sesquiterpene chain alcohol
- Norpatchoulenol, bulnesol and pogostol
- Patchoulene: has healing properties for wounds
- Benzaldehyde and cinnamon aldehydes
- Cosmetics: particularly intense and strong perfume. The essence of patchouli boasts regenerating, refreshing, rebalancing and potentially aphrodisiac properties
- Room fragrance
- Phytotherapy: mild anxiolytic, useful for fighting states of anxiety and tension
- Property moderately anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and venous decongestants
- Medicine oriental: to counteract rheumatic and joint pains, headaches, stomach pain and nausea
- Medicine Japanese: Patchouli is an antidote to snake venom
- Patchouli (extracted from leaves): used as an insecticide and repellent against insects
- Food industry (Asian countries): flavoring for confectionery
- Aromatherapy: the essence of patchouli is also added to fatty matrices for massage oils
Select plant Fir Acacia Acerola Sorrel Yarrow Yarrow Yarrow Aconito Adatoda Garlic Agnocasto Agrimonia Alchemilla Alkekengi Aloe Altea Witch Hazel Ammi or Visnaga Pineapple Andrographis Anemone Pulsatilla Angelica Anise Star Anise Japanese Star Anise Bitter Orange Bitter Areca Arnica Harpagophytum Arpagophyte Artemisia Asteragus Basil Asparagus Asparagus Peruvian Asparagus Asparagus Asparagus Hawthorn Boldo Borage Shepherd's Purse Boswellia Bucco Butea superba Cocoa Coffee Cajeput Calamus Calamus Marigold Camedrio Chamomile Roman Chamomile Camphor Cinnamon Ceylon Maidenhair Capuchin Artichoke Cardamom Cardiac Thistle Asian Thistle Carvi Cascara Cassia Catecu Catha Cabbage Celandine Chicory Centaurea Cinnamon Cypress Celandine Chives Cypress Coca Cola Colchico Combreto Condurango Comfrey Coriander Cranberry Barberry American Chrysanthemum Cumin Turmeric Damiana Digital Dioscorea Drosera Dulcamara Dunalilella Echinacea Eder a Ephedra Elenio Eleutherococcus Helichrysum Evening primrose Horsetail Alfalfa Erica Euphrasia Erisimo Escolzia Eucalyptus Farfara Farfaraccio Calabar bean Fenugreek Fennel Phytolacca Frangola Ash Fumaria Japanese Mushrooms Galega Ganoderma lucidum Garcinia Cambogia Mulberry Gentian Broom Ginkgo Ginkgo Guipana Guipana Gynestra Ginkgo Hibelia Gymnasium Hibiscus Guarulp St. John's Wort Horse Chestnut Ispaghul Hyssop Jaborandi Kava kava Konjac Laminaria Cherry Laurel Lavender Lemongrass Lespedeza Lovage Icelandic Lichen Lemon Flax Lippia Licorice Lobelia Hops Maca Marjoram Maize Mallow Manna Marrubio Marrubio d "water Matè Melaleuca Meliloto American Lemon balm Myrtle Myrama Walnut Nutmeg Walnut vomica Olive tree Meadowsweet Ononide Opuntia Oregano Orthosiphon Nettle Poppy Papaya Parietaria Feverfew Passiflora Chilli Perilla Periwinkle Phyllanthus Plantain Picrorhiza Pilosella Pino Pisci dia Podofillo Polygala Grapefruit Parsley Psyllium Pueraria mirifica Butcher's broom Pygeum Quassia Oak Rhubarb Ratania Rauwolfia currant Castor bean Rhodiola Rosehip Rosemary Rue Willow Sarsaparilla Sage Elderberry Sassafras Sedum Ergot Senna Serenoa Repens Soybean Solidago Tansy Taraxus Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarindo Ursina Valerian Vanilla Mullein Verbena Veronica Viburnum Vinca Pansy Mistletoe Vine Withania Yohimbe Saffron Ginger Pumpkin Select disease Juvenile Acne Rosacea Tinnitus Tinnitus Aerophagia Tendon Affections Afonia Aphthae Algias Functional Halitosis Breastfeeding Allergy Anemia Anguish Anxiety Arteriosclerosis Asthrosis Asthrosis Arthritis Arthritis Men Sex Woman Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis Eye bags Bronchitis Gallstones Kidney stones Salivary stones Baldness Androgenetic Candida Fragile hair Caries Headache Cellulitis Motion sickness Cystitis C limaterio Cholecystopathy High cholesterol Ulcerative colitis Colonoscopy Contusions Hematoma Convalescence Couperose Depression Dermatitis Diaper dermatitis Diabetes Diarrhea Erectile dysfunction Dyslipidemia Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Disturbances of vision Hemorrhoids Epistaxis Herethism Heart disease Fever Fibromyalgia Gastro-intestinal disease Flatulence Hypertension Fibromyalgia Gastrointomnia Jaundice Laryngitis Renal lithiasis Toothache Sore throat Thinness Menopause Meteorism Mononucleosis Alzheimer's disease Crohn's disease Nausea Vomiting Obesity Dark circles Onychomycosis Osteoporosis Dry skin Periarthritis Piorea Low pressure Prostatitis Psoriasis Colds Breast fissures Anal fissures Gastro-nasal rhinitis Senescence Premenstrual Syndrome Sinusitis Quit smoking Overweight Fatty liver Constipation Stomatitis Stress Cough Triglycerides high Ulcer Burns Nails Brittle flashes Heat Warts Dizziness Properties herbal Tanning Abortive adaptogenic Aphrodisiac bittering analgesic anesthetic anorectics analgesic antacid anti-allergic anti-asthmatic Antibiotic catarrh Anticellulitiche anticonvulsant Antidiaforetiche antidiarrheal edematous anthelmintic antiemetic Antiemorroidarie antiphlogistic Antiidrotiche Antinevrotiche Antioxidants antipyretic antirheumatic antiscorbutic Antiseptic antispasmodic anti-uric Aperitive Flavoring Astringent Balsamic Bechiche Capillarotrope Cardiotonic Carminative Cathartic Caustics Healing Cholagogues Choleretic Dyes Decongestants Deodorants Purifying Diaphoretic Cleansers Disinfectants Detoxifiers Thirst quenching Diuretics Exciting Emetics Emmenagogues Emollients Hemostatic Energies Hepatoprotectors Expectorants Eupepticus Moisturisers Galactosensitizers lanti Hypertensive Hypnotic Hypoglycemic Hypotensive Irritants Laxatives Soothing Narcotic Nerves Nutrients Odontalgic Pectoral Purgative Revulsive Remineralizing Refreshing Rubefacient Scialagoghe Sedative Soporifugas Sneezing Stomachic Stomatics Narcotic Vascular Tightenitis
