Patchouli essential oil has become a favorite of many in the essential oils movement. It has long been used in oriental medicine and was even a favorite of the Romans and ancient Egyptians. These people believed it would do everything from stimulating the appetite to treating skin ailments.
No real studies have been done on this essential oil to see if all the claims are true. Because it has a very strong odor, using it in small amounts is recommended, and ingesting it should be avoided unless you have a doctor's okay. Here are 8+ ways patchouli oil might be useful; feel free to give them a try.
1. Calm. According to LIVESTRONG, inhaling the scent of patchouli is supposed to calm nerves, eliminate stress, drive away depression and increase the sex drive.
2. Deodorant. Its strong scent makes it great for a natural deodorant. Mercola says to place 2 to 3 drops of the oil on a cotton ball and dab that to your armpits.
3. Bad breath. If you fight with bad breath, Natural Living Ideas recommends trying this essential oil as a mouth wash. Add a few drops to an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Gargle with it after brushing your teeth.
4. Insect repellent. Its pungent odor is said to drive away insects. Natural Living Ideas makes a spray-on insect repellent from 10 drops patchouli oil, 10 drops grapefruit oil, 6 drops lavender oil, 6 drops clove oil and 4 ounces of sweet almond oil. Another way to use it to deter insects is to place a few drops on your wrists and feet.
5. Eczema. LIVESTRONG shares that patchouli is supposed to be good for treating eczema and dermatitis.
6. Stretchmarks. Among one of the top oils for possibly treating stretch marks, patchouli oil can be diluted with a carrier oil and rubbed into the stretchmarks, says Medical News Today.
7. Scars. According to LIVESTRONG, its also supposed to be good for fading scars.
8. Antiseptic. To keep wounds clean and help prevent scarring from acne, Natural Living Ideas recommends using 5 to 10 drops of patchouli oil mixed with water to make an antiseptic.
9. Dandruff. If dandruff or oily hair is your nemesis, Mercola says to mix a few drops of patchouli oil in with your shampoo. Wash your hair, leaving the shampoo in for several minutes before rinsing it out.
If some of these items are a problem from which you suffer, you might find that patchouli oil is for you. Feel free to give it a try.