Patchouli Oil: Fight Depression and Swelling

What Is It?

Patchouli oil has a strong smell. It comes from a bushy plant that grows in Asia. The plant has small pink flowers. For hundreds of years, people have used it in scents and oils.

The Science Behind Patchouli Oil

Patchouli oil gets its power from natural chemicals. These include alpha bulnesene, beta patchoulene, and seychellene. These tiny parts work together to fight germs, reduce swelling, and lift your mood.

The Story of Patchouli

The name “patchouli” comes from a Tamil word “patchai,” which means “green.” Long ago, traders put patchouli on fabrics from the East. This kept moths away and gave the cloth a special smell. People knew the fabric was real if they could smell the patchouli.

Some say King Tutankhamun loved patchouli so much that 10 gallons of the oil were buried with him. In the 1960s, hippies made patchouli popular in the West. They used it to show peace and love.

Top Uses

Patchouli oil has many health perks. Just a few drops can:

Fight sad moods
Boost your body’s defences
Act as a natural body smell fixer
Kill fungus
Cut down swelling
Lift your mood
Make hair stronger
Fight germs
Help skin issues
Keep bugs away
Help with hormones
Lower fever

1. Helps Sad Moods

When you smell patchouli oil, your body makes feel-good hormones. These ease anger and worry.

Try this: Add five drops to a room diffuser. Or add ten drops to a warm bath.

2. Cuts Down Swelling

Patchouli oil can calm swelling in the body. It helps with joint pain and skin that’s red and sore.

Try this: Rub five drops into your hands. Then rub the oil on any sore spots.

Tests on mice show that patchouli can help with pain too. The oil seems to block pain signals in the body. This might be due to how it fights swelling, but more studies are needed to be sure.

3. Stops Germs

Small cuts can get nasty if germs get in. Patchouli oil keeps wounds clean. It also kills fungus like athlete’s foot.

Try this: Put 2-3 drops right on the spot. Or add 5-10 drops to a warm bath.

Studies from 2013 show patchouli oil can kill many types of germs. You can make a home spray with:

Distilled water
Vinegar
Baking soda
A few drops of patchouli oil

Mix these in a glass spray bottle. Use it to clean counters, sinks, and other spots in your home.

4. Helps Tummy Issues

Patchouli oil helps your liver, tummy and gut work better. This helps your body break down food.

Try this: Smell patchouli oil using a room mister. Or add 1-2 drops to tea or water.

Some people say patchouli helps with weight loss too. But so far, tests on rats haven’t shown clear proof of this. We need more human studies to know for sure.

5. Boosts Love Life

Patchouli oil can spark your sex drive by helping hormone levels. It has been used this way for years.

6. Makes Skin and Hair Better

Patchouli oil keeps skin young and fresh. It works for dry skin and oily skin types. The oil also helps stop hair loss.

Try this: Add five drops to face wash, skin cream or hair rinse.

Unlike some oils, patchouli helps both dry and oily skin. It can shrink large pores while also adding moisture to dry patches. This makes it great for people with mixed skin types.

7. Fades Marks

Patchouli oil can make marks from spots, cuts or bug bites fade away.

Try this: Put 2-3 drops on the mark each day.

8. Helps Sleep

Patchouli oil has a calm feel. It helps with sleep problems. It helps your mind and body rest.

Try this: Rub 2-3 drops in your hands and smell it. You can also touch your head, neck and chest with the oil.

9. Keeps Bugs Away

Tests show patchouli oil works as a bug spray. It keeps away flies, fleas, ants, lice and moths.

Try this: Add a few drops to spray bottles or room misters.

10. Fights Fever

Patchouli oil cuts swelling and kills germs. This helps lower fevers. It also has a cool feel that can lower body heat.

Try this: Rub the oil on your hands, neck and tummy to cool down.

Patchouli oil can boost your body’s defenses against colds and flu. When you breathe it in, the oil helps your immune system work better. It can:

Fight the germs that cause fever
Lower body heat
Ease other cold signs

For best results, put a few drops in a room diffuser when you feel a cold coming on.

11. Fresh Smell

Patchouli oil has a sweet, musky smell. It can mask body smells in a natural way. It also kills germs.

Try this: Use 1-2 drops under your arms. Or add it to body cream. A little bit works well.

12. Flushes Out Bad Stuff

Patchouli oil makes you pee more. This helps get rid of salt, water and toxins. It’s good for your liver and kidneys.

Try this: Mix 3-5 drops with lemon water or tea.

Things to Watch For

Patchouli oil is safe in small bits. But watch out:

Not for kids under 6
Be careful if pregnant
Too much can make you tired
Some might get itchy skin

When using it for the first time, mix it with water. Check for bad skin signs.

Safe Use Tips

Patchouli oil is safe for most people when used right. But you should be careful if you:

Take blood-thinning drugs
Have a bleeding problem
Had recent surgery

Always do a small skin test first. Put a tiny drop of oil mixed with a carrier oil on your inner arm. Wait 24 hours to check for redness or itching.

Most patchouli oil is not safe to swallow. Only use “food grade” oil if you want to take it by mouth. The label should clearly say “food grade.” When in doubt, stick to using the oil on your skin or in a room diffuser.

How to Use It

For skin: Add to creams or put on skin with oil
For mood: Use in a room mister
For hair: Add to shampoo
For fresh smell: Dab under arms
For tummy: Mix in tea or water
For sleep: Smell from hands or add to bath
For bugs: Add to home-made sprays

Mix with Other Oils

Patchouli works well with many other oils. Try mixing it with:

Lavender for better sleep
Bergamot for stress relief
Ylang Ylang for a mood boost

Mix one drop of patchouli with two drops of your other chosen oil for a balanced scent.

Sum Up

Patchouli oil is old and well-used
It helps with many health issues
You can use it in DIY mixes or just smell it
A small bit goes far – use tiny bits

Patchouli oil is a natural way to feel better. Its many uses make it great for your health tool kit.