Native to tropical regions and cultivated in China, India, the Philippines, Western Australia, and America, patchouli is a perennial fragrant herb with large oval leaves and spikes bearing small white or pink and light purple flowers. The shoots and leaves are picked two to three times a year and are partially fermented before being steam distilled. The essential oil is dark brown or amber or yellowish-amber with a sweet, rich, herbaceous, earthy, mossy, woody, slightly camphoraceous-spicy scent. Patchouli is strongly anti-microbial, and aids skin healing when added to vegetable oil, non-perfumed cream or lotion, and is especially useful for chapped and dry skin, eczema, scars, and mature skin. This essential oil also eases depression, nervous exhaustion, panic attacks, and stress and stress related conditions, among many other lovely qualities.

You will find deeper detail about this essential oil in my books, Essential Oils for Mindfulness and Meditation, and Essential Oils for the Whole Body