Patchouli Oil as an Insect Repellent and Benefits to the Body
This essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the Patchouli plant through the process of steam distillation. It is a close relative of mint, sage and lavender.
Origins of Patchouli Oil
The plant from which Patchouli oil is extracted is native to Southeast Asia, though it can be found growing in China, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South America, and Hawaii. The Patchouli plant thrives in hot weather, though it doesn’t grow best in direct sunlight. The plant itself is a fairly bushy plant, and it bears small white-pink flowers, though the oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant. Patchouli comes from the Hindustan word “pacholi” meaning “to scent.”
The oil has a very rich history and has been used for centuries. Patchouli oil was first used in Asian medicine, especially within Malaysia, China and Japan. The reason the oil was first used in Asia is because that is where the plant is native to. When Europeans made their way East to Asia, they would trade great amounts of gold for patchouli oil because of its amazing properties.
Patchouli oil became very prevalent in the United States during the 1960s, the time of the hippies. Hippies enjoyed using the patchouli oil because it masked their body odour as well as increased their libido, both qualities of the patchouli oil that you will learn about later in the article.
Today, patchouli oil is used all over the world in many different ways. The oil has various amazing qualities and purposes, making it a very versatile essential oil. It is well known for properties such as sedative, antiphlogistic, diuretic, febrifuge, cytophylactic, antiseptic, fungicide, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, astringent, cicatrizing, deodorant, insecticide, and tonic substance. Throughout this article all these properties of the patchouli essential oil with be explored.
The oil has many health benefits ranging from being an antidepressant to curing athlete’s foot. Patchouli oil has been used as a component in production of insecticides and insect repellants for many years. It also has the ability to protect fabric and clothes from insects. The oil can be used in many different ways, giving it the ability to be easy to use for those who wish to try it.
Health Benefits of Patchouli Oil
Let’s take a look at the health benefits of the Patchouli oil.
Medicinal Use of Patchouli Oil
The cytophylactic property of this oil promotes growth, meaning that it stimulates the generation of new body cells. Patchouli oil is particularly good at the regeneration of skin cells. This keeps the skin looking healthy, youthful and vibrant. It also aids in red blood cells production which in return increases energy levels. Patchouli oil increases circulation, which in turn increases the oxygenation of organs and cells in all areas of the body. This increased circulation leads to higher productivity and increased metabolism of the cells and organs.
Sedative
Patchouli oil can also be used as a sedative. The oil can calm convulsions, coughs and epileptic attacks which are caused by hypersensitivity or hyper-reactivity of the nerves. When it comes to epilepsy, patchouli oil can be helpful in preventing seizures. The essential oil can also stop allergic reactions such as hives by sedating the hypersensitivity of a person’s nerves. The oil can be used as a sedative to calm a person into a restful sleep. Patchouli oil can reduce insomnia, which can lead to many benefits. Getting a good night’s sleep improves cognitive function, mood, and metabolic rates. If someone is suffering from insomnia, Patchouli oil would be a good treatment for the problem.
Antiphlogistic
Patchouli oil has antiphlogistic qualities, meaning it is an anti-inflammatory. It soothes irritation and inflammation, especially if it is from fever. Patchouli oil will also bring a patient relief from the fever itself.
Anti-Viral
This essential oil also has anti-viral qualities. This can be very useful during flu season. In order to ward off the flu or common cold, a person can add a few drops of the oil to his or her bath otherwise diffuse the oil through the air.
Anti- Bacterial
Patchouli oil is very good at killing bacteria. It can kill many different types of bacteria, and two of the most well-known ones are E. coli and staphylococcus. To treat infected areas, the oil can be put directly on skin or mixed with an additive such as grape seed oil, coconut oil or jojoba oil.
Tension Headaches
The oil can be used as a way of combating tension headaches. The way to do this is by putting a few drops of the essential oil on one’s fingers and then massaging the oil into the temples or wherever the headache exists.
Muscle Relaxer
The essential oil can be used to relax and soothe aching muscles. To do so, a person can take the oil and massage it into the muscles he or she needs it to be applied to. This is an easy and effective way to heal tired and sore muscles.
Cicatrisant
Patchouli oil is also a cicatrisant. This means that the oil helps speed up the healing process of cuts and other similar wounds. Patchouli oil can be used to soothe insect bites. It can also help make the process of scar healing speed up. Such scars that can be healed faster through the usage of Patchouli oil include blemishes left by boils, acne, pox, and measles. Patchouli oil has been called one of the best home remedies for acne. Multiple skin conditions can be treated by this oil, both internal and external inflammation conditions such as gout, arthritis and rheumatism. The oil can be used to prevent wrinkles and cellulite by rubbing the oil into one’s skin. Patchouli essential oil can also help get rid of dandruff and oily scalp.
Infections
Patchouli oil protects wounds from infections, treats ulcer conditions and prevents them from becoming septic. This could be considered patchouli oil’s most important quality as small wounds can cause many problems if they become infected.
Astringent
Gums and teeth are strengthened by the astringent property of this essential oil. This is achieved by stimulating the contraction in muscles, skin and nerves. It also prevents hair loss, rejuvenates tired skin and strengthens muscle tissues. It aids in blood clotting by contracting the blood vessels. The properties also acts as an anti-ageing agent by preventing sagging of the skin. Because Patchouli oil stimulates muscle contractions, it has the ability to prevent hair loss.
Digestion
Patchouli oil has properties which help to tone up the body. The oil maximizes metabolic functions such as the digestion of food. It also helps the body improve its ability to absorb nutrients through improving the function of the liver, stomach and intestines. This can help a person become stronger and healthier. The essential oil helps with regular excretion, hormone secretions, enzyme secretions, and nervous system functions. This leads to a user of Patchouli oil to be more alert and active. It also boosts the immune system, protecting a person from many different diseases, conditions, and infections such as colds, flus, and tonsillitis. The best way to use Patchouli oil for this purpose would be to ingest it. This can be done by adding a few drops of the oil to a glass of tea or water.
Apoptosis
Patchouli oil has a substance within it called patchouli alcohol or PA. This substance makes the natural cycle of cell death in colorectal cancer cells occur in a process called apoptosis. Cell death is a natural cycle but with cancer cells, it is best if those cells die off sooner rather than later, before they have a chance to grow, spread, and duplicate. In Vitro studies show that this oil might one day be helpful when it comes to fighting certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer as studies have shown.
Lowers Body Temperature
This essential oil is a febrifuge. In cases of high fever, Patchouli oil lowers body temperature and reduces the fever. Since the oil is an antiseptic, it will also fight infections that are the cause of the fever. Overall, treating a fever with Patchouli oil leads to less pain, no fever and an overall healthier body.
Anti-Depressant
This essential oil is used as an anti-depressant. People suffering from depression have found relief from the use of this oil. Patchouli oil helps patients overcome the feelings of loss and hopelessness and in turn they have renewed hope. This is why this oil is commonly used in aromatherapy. It drives away disappointment, relaxes tension and uplifts the mood of the person. Inhaling patchouli oil has impacts on the body and mind. It stimulates release of hormones of pleasure like dopamine and serotonin. Feelings of anger, sadness and anxiety simply vanish when Patchouli oil is used to treat depression. Patchouli oil can also be added to bathwater in order to act as an antidepressant. Even if someone is not suffering from depression, he or she can still use Patchouli oil to enhance his or her mood. If someone is stressed, he or she can use the essential oil to get rid of anxiety and stress and calm down.
Aphrodisiac
This oil is also used as an aphrodisiac because of its ability to stimulate pleasure hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. It solves common sexual issues such as erectile dysfunctions, sexual anxiety, impotence, low libido and other sexual problems. It has actually been used as an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years. Women also benefit from using patchouli oil because hormones such as estrogen and testosterone are stimulated, and this boosts their sex drives.
Diuretic
Patchouli oil is a diuretic, meaning it increases the quantity and frequency of urination in a person. This increased urination can lead to weight loss, lower blood pressure, increased appetite, lower cholesterol. The diuretic property of the essential oil also removes of toxins from the user’s body. It will rid of all excess salts, water and uric acid. This reduces your chances of gallbladder and kidney stones because there is no buildup of salts in the kidneys and/or gallbladder. It also prevents conditions like gout because Patchouli oil dissolves bile salts and uric acid crystals, both of which cause pain in the joints.
Deodorant
This precious oil is a good substitute to synthetic deodorants. Its strong, sweet and spicy, musky aroma eliminates and masks body odour. Patchouli oil is a good deodorant because it kills bacteria that can cause body odor. The oil should, however, be diluted when being used as a deodorant as it is very strong and can be offensive to the olfactory senses of some people. Patchouli oil has been used in the production of many sprays, body lotions, incense sticks and fumigants. The oil can also be used to combat bad breath due to its odor-causing bacteria killing qualities. Some people find the smell of Patchouli oil wonderful, but others find the scent overpowering or irritating.
One of the most popular ways patchouli oil is used is in perfumes and colognes. It has remained a popular cologne oil to many cultures of the world. Centuries ago when patchouli oil was first used, it was most popular as a perfume. In ancient times, the oil was considered very valuable in the silk industry. When put on silk, the oil prevented moths from laying their eggs on the precious silk.
Fungicide and Insecticide
Fungal infections can be very disquieting and annoying. Athlete’s foot and other fungal growths and infections are inhibited by this oil because the patchouli oil has fungicide qualities, which end up killing the fungi.
Insect Repellent Properties of Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil has been used for hundreds of years to keep bugs away. Insects that are repelled by patchouli oil include ants, fleas, lice, bed bugs, flies and mosquitoes. Insects and pests are kept at bay by using this oil. The sweet smell of the essential oil somehow wards off any insects. Patchouli oil has been put in sprays and lotions for human use in order to keep bugs away, especially when outdoors. It is also used with water to wash clothes and bed linen. The smell keeps mosquitoes and other insects away.
This essential oil is particularly good at warding away ants. If one makes a spray and sprays wherever they see ants, the ants should go away in time as the oil sinks in. The oil is also great at killing dust mites, which is a great quality for people who are allergic to dust mites. The way to kill dust mites with the patchouli oil is to add a few drops of the essential oil to your washing machine during the bed linens’ final rise cycle. Burning the oil in a room keeps insects away longer. Users should however be careful when burning this oil inside the home as its smell seeps into furniture and fabric. This can be unpleasant for some people as they do not enjoy the scent of patchouli oil and can find the scent overpowering.
How to Use Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil can be used in many different ways. The oil can be inhaled, diffused in a vaporizer, ingested or directly applied to the skin. It is advised to use the oil in moderation as it may lead to a strong or overwhelming scent.
When using the oil as a spray, a few drops can be added to water. Patchouli oil can also be added to one’s washing machine in order to make bed sheets repel insects.
Other uses of Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil blends well with other essential oils. These oils include bergamot, clary sage, geranium, lavender and myrrh.
Patchouli oil is commonly used during prayer because it creates a tranquil environment for one who wishes to pray.
If someone finds the scent of the Patchouli oil to be too overpowering and unlikeable, he or she can add a few drops of orange, lemon or geranium oil to change the smell and reduce the muskiness.
Precautions Measures and Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil is safe to use as long as it is used properly. It is best to use the oil in moderation as overuse can cause a variety of different problems. If used too much, the essential oil can cause extreme lethargy, appetite loss and strong sedation. The oil is also recommended to not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing, the same as with most other essential oils.
Conclusion
This article has given an overview of the several benefits the patchouli essential oil can have on a person’s health as well as a few other uses for the oil such as insecticide. Mental health is restored through using the oil and users have normalized sanity levels when depressive and anxious thoughts disappear. This oil soothes inflammation, detoxifies the body systems, protects wounds from becoming septic and boosts energy levels.
It also treats sexual dysfunctions in both men and women and acts as an aphrodisiac. The oil brings back the youthful look in its users and heals skin conditions such as dandruff, oily scalp, sagging skin and acne. The oil can act as a fungicide, killing athlete’s foot and other fungi. It also acts as an insecticide whether it is used on clothes, bed linens, or diffused through the air to ward away bugs. Patchouli oil is an all-in-one super essential oil.
