Patchouli is a fascinating scent that evokes strong reactions; it’s either cherished for its rich, exotic aroma or dismissed as musty and herbal. This earthy, slightly sweet, and spicy aroma is often linked to health food stores. When expertly blended, patchouli forms a sublime base note for refined fragrances, as found in our popular Ellington and Speakeasy luxury candles.
Curious about the story behind this impactful aroma? You’re in the right spot. We’ll delve into the smell of patchouli, its origins, why it divides opinions, and how its earthy tones can harmonize with other scents for universal appeal.
A CLOSER LOOK AT PATCHOULI
Patchouli, scientifically known as Pogostemon cablin, is a lush, flowering plant indigenous to tropical Southeast Asia. It belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), although it doesn’t resemble mint in fragrance. Originating with the Tamil people in South India, patchouli was used in medicine, cuisine, and as an insect repellent. It eventually made its way to the Middle East via silk trading routes, where its fragrant leaves protected precious commodities from pests. Fast forward to the 60s and 70s, patchouli became synonymous with the American counterculture movement. Despite its hippie association, it’s a key component in many luxurious, sophisticated perfumes today.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PATCHOULI
Generally classified as a woody scent due to its robust, earthy nature, patchouli is also used to craft ambery, fougère, and chypre fragrances. Alone, it’s primarily earthy and musky, but its complexity lies in its spicy, sweet, and woody undertones. While some find its earthiness overpoweringly unpleasant, associating it with damp basements, wet dogs, or unwashed hippies, this is often due to exposure to inferior quality patchouli.
A high-quality patchouli essential oil evokes the sensation of walking barefoot in a lush forest after a downpour – the damp soil, the sweet, herbal freshness of the surrounding woods and foliage. It’s a versatile base note, complementing citrusy notes like bergamot, floral notes like lavender and geranium, and other woodsy notes like sandalwood and vetiver. When used sparingly, it imparts elegance, sophistication, and depth to various blends. Notable patchouli fragrances include Tom Ford‘s Patchouli Absolu, Givenchy‘s Gentleman Eau de Parfum, and Chanel’s Chance Eau de Parfum.
ORIGIN OF PATCHOULI’S SCENT
Patchouli’s distinctive scent originates from its large, fuzzy leaves and stems, harvested and dried multiple times a year. Steam distillation then extracts the essential oil. The main chemical components of patchouli essential oil include patchoulol, norpatchoulenol, and germacrene-B. Patchoulol is primarily responsible for patchouli’s unique aroma, while germacrene-B contributes a woody smell and insect-repelling properties.
AROMATHERAPY BENEFITS OF PATCHOULI
In aromatherapy, patchouli’s scent can soothe emotions, uplift mood, and alleviate anxiety. It’s considered grounding and emotionally balancing, promoting relaxation of both mind and body, and encouraging the release of positive hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Moreover, it’s associated with love and romance, and has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries, stimulating estrogen and testosterone production to boost libido in both genders.
THE PATCHOULI PARADOX
Patchouli is arguably the most polarizing scent out there. It’s either adored or abhorred. If you’re a skeptic, let us challenge your preconceptions about this unique aroma and explain why our version will surpass your expectations.
PATCHOULI’S SCENT PROFILE
For the uninitiated, patchouli is a rich, deep aroma with prominent earthy, woody, and musky notes, complemented by sweet-herbaceous and spicy elements.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIVISIVENESS
To grasp why patchouli divides opinion, it’s essential to understand scent anatomy. Like a fine wine, fragrance has a layered experience, comprising top, heart, and base notes. Patchouli, a base note and common fixative, extends a scent’s longevity. Its potency, when unblended, can overwhelm the senses, hence blending with other aromas can make patchouli more universally appealing.
THE ART OF BLENDING
To temper patchouli’s innate intensity, we pair it with the milder aromatics of copal, which has sweet, woody, and slightly spicy-peppery notes that beautifully complement patchouli’s deep earthiness. A hint of frankincense, sharing similarities with patchouli and copal, adds pine-like notes and smooth resinous properties.
Skin chemistry and environmental conditions can alter a scent dramatically. For example, underarm heat and moisture can amplify a fragrance, and microbial activity can also influence its perception. Therefore, your favorite deodorant may smell more potent when you need it most, helping you smell fantastic.
ABOUT PATCHOULI
Patchouli oil is derived from a perennial plant native to Southeast Asia. Our dark patchouli comes from Indonesia, where the leaves are shade-cured, aged, and then distilled in metal stills for a warm, dark final product. Although associated with the 60s, patchouli has been cherished by perfumers for centuries and is prevalent in modern perfumes.
THE EXTRACTION PROCESS
Extracting patchouli oil involves drying and fermenting the leaves before steam distillation. This captures the plant’s essence, resulting in a concentrated oil with its unique aroma. Factors influencing patchouli oil quality include the growing region, cultivation method, and extraction process. Like fine wine, aged patchouli oil develops a smoother, richer aroma.
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
We prioritize the sustainability of our ingredients. We collaborate closely with our suppliers to ensure the patchouli and copal we use are sustainably sourced and harvested, without depleting natural resources, harming the environment, or exploiting local communities. We also ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for those involved in cultivation and extraction.
