Verdure Special Part 1
Native to Southeast Asia, growing wild at elevations between 3000 and 6000 feet, is one of the most underrated plants of perfume. Patchouli either came from the Hindi word "pacholi" meaning "to scent" or from the Ancient Tamil words "patchai" and "ellai" which mean "green leaf." Growing to the height of 3 feet, the plant is cut two or three times a year with the best quality oil coming from the leaves harvested in the wet season. Much like tea, Patchouli leaves are hand-picked. They are allowed to partially dry in the shade and ferment for a few days before the oil is extracted via steam distillation. Patchouli oil improves with age.
In the 19th century, Patchouli was exported all around the world from India. It was a fantastic moth repellent and soon became the indicator of true Oriental fabrics. The scent became so well known that English and French garment makers had to add the oil to their imitation products to ensure their acceptance in the marketplace.
For centuries, Patchouli oil has been used in traditional medicine in Malaysia, China, and Japan primarily for skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, acne, dry chapped skin, and other such conditions. It is a cell rejuvenator and it may help in healing wounds and reducing the appearance of scars. It was also considered an excellent remedy for insect and snakebites. When dealing with fevers and strengthening the immune system, the oil was rubbed against the skin.
It's high-value had given at the exchange rate of 1 pound of the oil or plant for 1 pound of gold. It was also believed that Pharaoh Tutankhamen was buried with 10 gallons of the oil inside his tomb.
In the 1960s, Patchouli became an important incense in the hippie movement. Commonly referred to now as "the scent of the 60s " hippies Would burn the oil to purify areas and to mask Marijuana.
One last bit of history: In 1985, the He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe toy line by Mattel came out with a villain name Stinkor, a humanoid skunk. The toy makers made a decision to include Patchouli oil into the plastic for the action figure. The scents of the plastic mixed with the scents of the oil created an unusual smell to be part of the "action" of the action figure! The moral of this story, Patchouli is wonderful for peace, earthy, and lovelly scents... just don't mix with melted plastic!
Remember you can email me at friendsoffolklore@gmail.com! Go enjoy the scents of Nature!
Patchouli Soap Carved Cat, M. Ward, 2020
