Patchouli Oil
OTHER NAME(S): Agastach Pogostemi, Guang-Huo-Xiang, Huile de Patchouli, Huo Xiang, Patchouli, Patchouly, Patchouly oil, Mentha cablin, Pogostemon cablin, Pogostemon heyneanus, Pogostemon patchouly, Putcha-Pat, Patchouli oil, Patchouli Oil, Aceite de Pachuli, Huile De Patchouli
Overview
Patchouli oil is the oil taken from the dried leaves, young leaves, and shoots of a plant called patchouli (Pogostemon cablin). It is used to make medicine.
People use patchouli oil as a mosquito repellent, for the common cold, cancer, headache, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, patchouli oil is used as a flavoring. In manufacturing, patchouli oil is used as a fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics.
Patchouli oil might help fight certain kinds of bacterial and fungal infections. It might also reduce inflammation.
Patchouli oil might help fight certain kinds of bacterial and fungal infections. It might also reduce inflammation.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Mosquito repellent. Early research shows that applying patchouli oil to the skin can repel mosquitoes for about 2 hours. Applying patchouli oil in combination with turmeric oil and another oil might work for even longer.
- Stress. Early research suggests that inhaling patchouli oil may reduce stress when used for 2 days. But it's unclear if it is helpful if used for more than 2 days.
- Bad breath.
- Cancer.
- Common cold.
- Diarrhea.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Stomach pain.
- Vomiting.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of patchouli oil for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Patchouli oil seems to be safe in food amounts. But there isn't enough information to know if it is safe when used in larger medicinal amounts or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough information to know if patchouli oil is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Patchouli oil seems to be safe in food amounts. But there isn't enough information to know if it is safe when used in larger medicinal amounts or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough information to know if patchouli oil is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if patchouli oil is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Patchouli Oil overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of patchouli oil depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for patchouli oil. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Xu YF, Lian DW, Chen YQ, et al. In Vitro and In Vivo Antibacterial Activities of Patchouli Alcohol, a Naturally Occurring Tricyclic Sesquiterpene, against Helicobacter pylori Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2017 May 24;61(6):e00122-17.
- Das NG, Dhiman S, Talukdar PK, Rabha B, Goswami D, Veer V. Synergistic mosquito-repellent activity of Curcuma longa, Pogostemon heyneanus and Zanthoxylum limonella essential oils. J Infect Public Health. 2015 Jul-Aug;8(4):323-8.
- Chen XY, Dou YX, Luo DD, et al. β-Patchoulene from patchouli oil protects against LPS-induced acute lung injury via suppressing NF-κB and activating Nrf2 pathways. Int Immunopharmacol. 2017 Sep;50:270-278.
- Zhou TR, Huang JJ, Huang ZT, Cao HY, Tan B. Inhibitory effects of patchouli alcohol on stress-induced diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2018 Feb 14;24(6):693-705.
- Park SY, Neupane GP, Lee SO, et al. Protective effects of Pogostemon cablin Bentham water extract on inflammatory cytokine expression in TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Arch Pharm Res. 2014 Feb;37(2):253-62.
- Jeong JB, Choi J, Lou Z, Jiang X, Lee SH. Patchouli alcohol, an essential oil of Pogostemon cablin, exhibits anti-tumorigenic activity in human colorectal cancer cells. Int Immunopharmacol. 2013 Jun;16(2):184-90.
- Shin YK, Lee SY, Lee JM, Kang P, Seol GH. Effects of short-term inhalation of patchouli oil on professional quality of life and stress levels in emergency nurses: A randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2020 Nov;26(11):1032-1038.
- Hong SJ, Cho J, Boo CG, et al. Inhalation of patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin Benth.) essential oil improved metabolic parameters in obesity-induced sprague dawley rats. Nutrients. 2020 Jul 13;12(7):2077.
- Xu N, Wu X, Luo HJ, et al. Patchouli oil attenuates high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis. Planta Med. 2020 Mar;86(4):255-266.