Patchouli, loved for its aromatic properties, has amazing benefits for skin care. When it comes to maintaining Normal skin's long term health, Patchouli does it all —from oil balancing to anti-aging to healing skin disruptions.
I see Nature as an amazing interdependent, sustainable system, of which we humans are a part. Within this system, we all have things to share with each other. To me, plants are beings with their own characteristics, traits and wisdom to share. My grandmothers learned this wisdom from Patchouli and passed it down through practical knowledge, myth and lore. And now we get to accumulate our knowledge and share it with each other via the Internet! I love the 21st Century!
Patchouli was primarily part of my childhood in incense form. It was my job to take incense into every room in the house, smudging each corner with smoke while repeating prayers for protection. It was what my mother did in her childhood home, under my grandmother's instruction, a ritual she passed on to me. I still do this ritual today, for energy cleansing and calming aromatherapy.
Patchouli Lore and Legend
The word “patchouli” means “green leaf” in Tamil. It spends most of the year as a green shrub, a member of the mint family, but when fall arrives it erupts in beautiful, delicate lilac-pink flowers.
While patchouli is native to the Philippines, it became cultivated widely in Asia—from China to India. That is how it came to be prized in various traditional medicine systems across Asia, including Ayurveda, for the several health benefits it provides.
In legend and lore, Patchouli is associated with Osiris (or Aser), the Egyptian God of the Underworld, who represents growth and Transformation. Often, patchouli oil was included in burial chambers like King Tutankhamen’s whom, it is said, was buried with 10 gallons of it.
When Patchouli works with Lakshmi, the Indian Goddess of Fertility, and Abundance, it brings the promise of fertility, love and prosperity; with Venus or Aphrodite, Patchouli the Aphrodisiac stimulates the hormones and partakes in a celebration of love, beauty and sensuality. In its earthiness, it evokes the nurturing energies of the Celtic Green Man, who is associated with Nature and Rebirth, representing the cycle of growth that happens every spring.
The history of Patchouli in the West is inextricably bound with the history of The Silk Road and Kashmiri Shawls. These beautiful works of functional art were woven in the Kashmir valley on the border of India and Pakistan for many centuries (going back to 3 AD), from the soft undercoat hairs of the Changthangi goat–delicate and fine silky fibers known as cashmere (a variant spelling of Kashmir). One shawl could take a team of weavers moths to produce.
These prized items were gifted to and worn by royalty and the elite throughout India, the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa. By the 1700’s they were being brought home to England and France by officers with the East India Company as gifts for the women in their lives. By the 1700’s, textile mills in France, Scotland and Northern England were producing knock-offs made from Merino Wool.
When Napoleon gave Josephine a genuine Kashmiri Shawl that he’d picked up in Egypt, he kicked off a trend. Everyone had to have one, authentic from Kashmir, not a domestic imitation. These shawls became highly prized collectibles. The reliable way to tell them apart was their smell, as they were packed for shipping in the traditional manner, layered with dried patchouli leaves to repel moths. The fragrance became associated with exotic mystique and glamour in the Occidental imagination, and became as fashionable as the shawls themselves.
Patchouli made a widespread comeback in Western culture during the 1960s and 1970s as part of the counterculture movement. Its distinctive aroma became associated with peace, love, individuality and Natural living. Patchouli oil soon found its way into perfumes and skincare products. Groovy, right?
Over time, Patchouli has become entrenched in legend and lore as a plant that can power spiritual transformation, fertility, love and prosperity. It has ignited the sensual imagination of both Orient and Occident, while contributing to a shared human history of healing and wellness.
Patchouli in Face Chai for Normal Skin
Patchouli offers a time-tested approach to skincare for those with normal, balanced skin. That’s why I put it at the core of our Face Chai for Normal Skin. With Hibiscus flowers, it forms the base Chai (or tea) in our Normal and T-Zone formulation, for a nourished, vibrant, and well-balanced complexion.
Patchouli has been a staple in traditional medicine and skincare in the Asia for centuries. In India, it has been used in Ayurvedic preparations for its skin-healing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It was traditionally used to treat hair problems like dandruff and oily scalp as well as skin irritation. It was also recommended for its aphrodisiac qualities. In Chinese medicine, it was used to treat digestive disorders as well as eczema and other skin eruptions.
In contemporary times, patchouli continues to be a popular ingredient in natural and holistic skincare, valued for its skin-calming effects and ability to keep skin oils balanced. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties make it effective in soothing irritated skin and preventing bacterial infections. This can be especially beneficial for those with normal skin with a tendency to T-zone oiliness or the occasional break out.
Patchouli leaves also have astringent properties, helping to tighten and tone the skin. This can contribute to a more refined complexion, reducing the appearance of pores and providing a smoother texture. Additionally, patchouli used in a hydrating toner or spritz makes it useful in controlling excess oil production without causing dryness. A perfect natural ingredient for normal skin types.
I have total respect for the Patchouli plant and what it can do for your skin. Whether in facial masks, toners, face oils or moisturizers, incorporating patchouli into your skincare routine can help your complexion look and feel vibrant, healthy and smooth, while slowing signs of aging. Timelessly Groovy, right?
Sherazad Jamal
Founder, Free Lion Body Care