Patchouli (Dark) Essential Oil

Botanical name: Pogostemom cablin
Plant part: Leaves 
Cultivation: Organic 
Extraction: Steam distillation 
Origin Country: Indonesia 
Size: 10ml 
Product color: Amber brown liquid 
Aroma profile: Very rich, deep, earthy, spicy, somewhat herbaceous/woody with floral sweet, balsamic notes 
Perfumery note: Base (Excellent fixative)
Consistency: Medium 
Shelf life: Improves with age
Extraction date: August 2018
 
Product description: 
Native to the tropical regions of Asia, Pogestemon cablin bush thrives in hot, humid temperatures and is often growing near rice paddies in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mauritius, and China. 
Its leaves, while fresh are odourless, so to extract its famous woody, sweet, and spicy scented essential oil, they are hand collected, bundled together, allowed to dry, and left for a few days to ferment during which new molecules develop and impart their aroma to the leaves, after which they can be steam distilled to extract their precious essential oil. 
Patchouli Oil has a long history in many cultures throughout Asia and beyond going back millennia for its scent and plethora of therapeutic benefits, its name is said to be derived from the Hindustan word “Pachol” which means “To smell” and the Tamil words “Patchai” and “Ellai” meaning “green” and “leaf” 
It was historically used as a perfume and insect repellent to prevent moths on pure oriental fabrics like silk, and by the 1800s, its scent became the benchmark to determine their authenticity so English and French clothes makers would spray it on their imitation silks to deceive their customers. European traders valued Patchouli so much they would barter it for its equal weight in gold. 
King Tutankhamen, Pharoah of Egypt was buried and sealed in his tomb with 10 gallons of Patchouli essential oil which would have cost a fortune in those times, as a show of wealth. In the 1960s it was the “Scent of the Sixties” due to its association with the “Hippy Generation” who used it mostly to mask body odour and the smell of the marijuana. 
Although there are 3 species of Pogestemon i.e. P. Heyneanus, P.Hortensis and P.Cablin, the essential oil extracted from P. cablini is considered most superior and is found labelled as Dark or Light Patchouli. Light aka Iron Free indicates it was distilled in a stainless-steel vat for a lighter, thinner oil while Dark indicates it was distilled in an iron vat to create a thicker, more viscous oil with a deep amber colour. Their scents remain similar, but the dark version is considered stronger, longer lasting in blends with its quality improving with age, making Dark Patchouli one of the few essential oils which improves with age.  
 
Blends well with: 
Essential oils of Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon Bark, Clary Sage, Clove Bud, Coral Jasmine, Coriander, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemongrass, Litsea Cubeba, Mandarin, Myrrh, Neroli, Oakmoss, Opopanax, Orange, Rose, Ruh Khus and Sandalwood
 
Note: Product colors and aroma profiles are intended to represent the typical and approximate color and scent of each oil. However, both can vary based on harvesting, distillation, and other factors. These variations should not affect the efficacy of the product.