photo courtesy of mahishop.com
Many of the essential oils that we include in our aromatherapy-based products have a number of different properties, and work together very well, when combined, to create a rejuvenating and relaxing experience for the entire body.
Let’s explore the health benefits of patchouli oil, which has long been known to exhibit therapeutic effects on the mind.
Patchouli essential oil is derived through the steam distillation process of the leaves of the patchouli plant. The basic components of the essential oil are patchouli alcohol, seychellene, pogostol, alpha patchoulene, beta patchoulene, alpha guaiene, alpha bulnesene, caryophyllene, and norpatchoulenol.
The health benefits of patchouli oil are closely linked to its ability to act as an antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, deodorant, diuretic, febrifuge, insecticide, fungicide, sedative, and tonic substance.
What are patchouli oil's health benefits?
1. Antidepressant: Patchouli oil is an excellent supplement for people suffering from depression and mood swings. Commonly used in aromatherapy for its ability to suppress or eliminate feelings of sadness and loss, it replaces these negative thoughts and emotions with optimism and hope. It's also able to relax tension, caused by a variety factors, by stimulating certain hormones and facilitating chemical reactions in the mind and body. Specifically, the oil acts on hormones typically associated with feelings of pleasure, like serotonin and dopamine, which consequently help ameliorate feelings of sadness, anxiety, and anger.
2. Aphrodisiac: Experiencing problems with your love life? Nothing a little patchouli oil can't help. This essential oil can help improve a whole host of problems commonly associated with the bedroom, including anxiety, loss of libido, etc. Moreover, it can be helpful for both men and women when used for this particular purpose. It can help you put a spark back into your love life by stimulating the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, which help boost sex drive. Its ability to act as a natural aphrodisiac has been well documented for centuries, and for good reason!
3. Antiseptic: It's not uncommon for essential oils to act as a defense against foreign invaders of the body. Patchouli oil falls nicely into this category of essential oils and has an inherent knack for protecting your body, especially wounds and ulcers, from developing infections and potentially becoming septic. This property may very well be the most important characteristic of patchouli oil, simply because of the health risks associated with infections, and its ability to mitigate against more serious health risks.
4. Anti-inflammatory: Whether inside or on the surface of the body, patchouli oil can soothe inflammation, quite effectively. It's especially effective when the irritation or inflammation is the result of a fever. In fact, it can even provide relief from the fever itself. Because of this particular property, patchouli oil is very useful in treating a variety of skin conditions, and internal inflammation from conditions like arthritis.
Stay tuned for more helpful tips on how to apply holistic solutions to everyday problems!
