Patchouli is a medicinal plant, of the species Pogostemon cablinindicated to help treat insomnia, headache, anxiety or stress, as it has calming and sedative properties.
The normally used parts of patchouli, also known as patchouli, are the leaves from which the essential oil with medicinal properties is extracted. However, the leaves can also be used to prepare tea.
Patchouli can be found in health food stores or herbalists, and should be used under the guidance of a doctor or a professional specializing in medicinal plants.
What is it for
Patchouli is indicated for:
1. Reduce anxiety and stress
Patchouli has calming and sedative properties that help relax and calm, relieving agitation, irritability, insomnia, stress and anxiety.
Patchouli, in the form of essential oil for inhalation, promotes relaxation of the body and helps improve mood,
3. Fight the pain
Patchouli has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve various pains, such as muscle spasms, headache, colic or angina pectoris, for example.
4. Promoter or are
Due to its sedative properties, patchouli essential oil used in aromatherapy can help promote sleep and combat insomnia or problems sleeping.
5. Improve skin appearance
Patchouli oil can also help improve the appearance of skin, especially dry, rough or aging skin, due to its moisturizing properties.
6. Help in the treatment of skin problems
Patchouli oil, as it has anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects, can be used to help treat skin problems, such as cellulite, eczema, acne, dermatitis or mycoses.
7. Relieve stomach problems
Patchouli essential oil can help treat various stomach problems, such as abdominal pain or discomfort, gastritis, nausea or poor digestion.
8. Fight infections
Patchouli essential oil has antibacterial properties that can help fight infections, especially in wounds or skin ulcers.
9. Increase libido
The fragrance of patchouli essential oil has an aphrodisiac action that can stimulate the release of sexual hormones, thus helping to increase libido.
10. Repel insects
Patchouli oil can be used in the form of sprays, diffusers or incense to repel insects. Discover other natural repellent options.
11. Fight bad smell
Patchouli essential oil is widely used to fix fragrances and aromas in the perfumery field, and can also be used to mask undesirable smells.
How to use
Generally, dried patchouli leaves are used to prepare homemade teas, and essential oil from this plant or creams enriched with its extracts can also be found on the market.
1. Patchouli tea
Tea from this plant has a tranquilizing, sedative, hypotensive and analgesic effect, making it a great option for treating headaches or relieving stress, for example. To prepare this tea, dried leaves of this plant are used.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried patchouli leaves;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Place the ingredients in a pan and let the mixture boil for 10 minutes over medium heat. After this time, turn off the heat, cover and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain before drinking.
It is recommended to drink 2 to 3 cups of this tea per day, according to need.
2. Patchouli essential oil
Patchouli essential oil, due to its calming and relaxing properties, can be used to massage or can be added to diffusers to perfume the home.
Furthermore, it can also be used to apply to the skin, helping to care for rough, dry, sagging, devitalized or aging skin.
Patchouli essential oil on the skin should be used diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil, for example.
Therefore, you should mix 1 to 3 drops of patchouli essential oil in a little carrier oil, and apply it to the area of skin to be treated.
Before using patchouli essential oil on the skin, an allergy test must be carried out, preparing a mixture containing 1 drop of patchouli essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, and applying it to the back of the hand. or in the crook of the elbow.
Wait 24 hours and, if during this period the skin becomes red or irritated, it is not recommended to use patchouli essential oil.
Possible side effects
Patchouli is considered safe when used in recommended amounts, and the side effects of this plant are not known. Therefore, its use must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor or herbalist.
However, when patchouli essential oil is applied pure to the skin it can cause irritation, as the oil is quite concentrated.
Who shouldn’t use
Patchouli should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Patchouli essential oil should never be taken orally or used pure on the skin. When used in aromatherapy, only 1 or 2 drops should be added, as its smell is very strong.
For this reason, patchouli aromatherapy should be avoided or used with caution by people with respiratory problems.
