How to Make Patchouli Oil

During the 18^th and 19^th centuries, silk traders used Patchouli leaves to protect their silk cloths so that moths could not lay eggs on them as they traveled from one place to another.

Also known as Pogostemon cablin, Patchouli comes from the mint family and originated in Southeast Asia. It is used to make patchouli perfume and aromatherapy oil. This oil is made from an ancient plant, and has a beautiful fragrance. As compared to other oils, this oil just gets better with age and also blends well with other kinds of oils. One peculiar characteristic is that not all the people can stand its odor, while others simply love its fragrance.

It is often referred to as having a hippie scent, because it became popular in the hippie era of the '60s and '70s. Apart from using it to make perfumes and incense, it is used to treat many medical conditions. Even though, commercially, it goes through a distillation process, it can also be made at home. Take a look at the section given below to know how.

Things you will need for making this fragrant oil are:

• Patchouli dried leaves
• Jojoba oil (if you want to make a light moisturizing oil)
• Olive oil (if you want to make a massage oil)
• Glass jar
• Cheesecloth
• Saucepan
• Bottle, to store the essential oil

Step #1 First, ensure that the leaves of patchouli are completely dry. If they are not, then you can leave them for drying in the sun for a few hours.

Step #2 Then take the glass jar, wash it with warm soapy water, and scrub it. Wash it with water 2-3 times more, and let it dry completely.

Step #3 Pour the dried patchouli leaves in the jar, filling the jar to the top. Next, take the carrier oil of your choice. You can use jojoba oil to make a light density oil. But, if you wish to make an oil for massaging and moisturizing dry skin, then consider using olive oil.

If you need an oil for body and scalp massage, sweet almond aromatherapy oil is a good choice.

Step #4 Then, start pouring the oil slowly over the dried patchouli leaves in the jar. Fill the jar to the top, and close the lid by tightening the screw properly. Shake the jar well.

Step #5 Next, take a saucepan and pour some water in it. Bring the water to a boil. Then, take it off from the heat, and carefully place the glass jar in the saucepan. Let it cook until the water cools down. Then, take the jar out from the water and shake well.

Step #6 Store the jar in a dry, cool, and dark place for 30 days. This will let the patchouli leaves seep properly in the carrier oil. Shake the jar well everyday.

Step #7 On the 31^st day, filter the oil from the leaves. Take a funnel and place a cheesecloth on it. Stick the ends of the funnel in the glass bottle in which you wish to store the patchouli oil. Pour the oil carefully through the funnel.

Let the funnel remain in the glass bottle for 10-15 minutes to ensure that all the oil drips into the bottle. Later, remove the funnel and place a cap on the glass bottle.

There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of patchouli oil. It has some great uses and makes for a great massage oil, deodorant, body lotion, vaporizer, incense, etc.

You can also use it as a repellent for mosquito and other insects like ants, bed bugs, lice, fleas, flies, etc. It can also make the skin look healthy and young. When in stress, or having a headache, you can use this oil as it is a good antidepressant.