Patchouli

Pogostemon cablin

Base note Earthy Essential oil

Rich, earthy and damp-soil-like with a camphorous, sweet, almost cocoa undertone; it mellows and deepens with age. Loud and polarizing — a little goes a long way.

Made from: Steam-distilled from dried (often lightly fermented) patchouli leaves, mostly in Indonesia.
Strength: ●●●●● a little goes a long way
Cost: Moderate
Moods: Grounding Sensual Cozy
Seasons: Autumn, Winter
Rooms: Living room, Bedroom

Blend with it

No special cautions at normal use.

How it behaves

CandlesGreat

One of the few essential oils with good throw in soy; also an excellent fixative for citrus.

Wax meltsGreat

Reed diffuserGreat

Room & linen sprayWorkable

Can dominate fast — keep it a minor part of a spray blend.

Electric (water) diffuserGood

Cold-process soapGreat

Very soap-friendly and a classic anchor; dark grades may tint soap slightly. Light (iron-free) patchouli is paler.

Melt-and-pour soapGreat

Laundry & cleaningGood

Pairs well with

Base · Resinous & amber

Essential oil

Amber

Base · Resinous & amber

Fragrance oil

Don't have it? Try Vetiver, Oakmoss.

In these blends

Pomegranate Noir

Jewel-dark pomegranate, violet and a smoky trail of patchouli.

Pomegranate · Violet · Amber · Geranium · Black Pepper · Patchouli

Top 31% Middle 44% Base 25%

SensualRomanticAutumnWinter

A little lore

In the 1800s dried patchouli leaves were packed with textiles shipped from India to deter moths, and Europeans came to associate the scent with genuine Indian goods.