Patchouli is Making a Come-Back
You heard it here first, folks! I recently bought more patchouli essential oil…double the price that it used to be. I’ve done the cost analysis and I’m willing to swallow a little bit of profit to bring back this hugely popular soap. I’m putting the Patchouli Beer Bar on the list to be made next week, just as soon as I get the Chocolate Strawberry and Cinnamon Bun Coffee Soap made.
If you’ve never heard of patchouli or why some folks just can’t get enough of it, here is some interesting information:
1. The scent: Patchouli has a strong, earthy scent that is used as a base note in over half of men’s colognes. It was popular in the form of incense back in the 1960′s and 1970′s. To some people the scent of patchouli is exotic, sensual, and luxurious, but to others it’s too forceful and repellent. (Basically, you either love it or hate it.) I had never really smelled it before I started making soap. It’s still not my favorite scent, but it has definitely grown on me.
2. Patchouli is the only essential oil I know of that actually gets better as it ages. The leaves must be fermented and aged before being distilled, which can take as long as 24 hours. Even then, the translucent yellow oil smells harsh. As it ages, it develops patchouli’s distinctive scent.
3. There are different qualities of patchouli, depending on where it is harvested. Patchouli that comes from China is light and not as strong as the darker, more viscous oil that comes from Indonesia. I’ve learned to get the dark stuff!
4. Most essential oils have uses other than their scent. Patchouli is no different. Here are some of the treatments that patchouli has been used for: acne, athlete’s foot, chapped skin, dermatitis, eczema, fatigue, frigidity, hair care (specifically good for conditioning your dreadlocks!), insect repellant, mature skin, oily skin, and stress (specifically for headaches, but only if you aren’t repelled by the scent!).
Sources:
How Stuff Works
AromaWeb – (no longer available)
Wikipedia
January 13th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Yippee! I’m so excited! Now my hubby can smell num-num again!
January 14th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
So glad you’re excited!
January 27th, 2009 at 9:36 am
YES! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
February 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am
[...] of stock for many months due to the increased price of the patchouli essential oil. I talked about my decision to bring it back a little over a month ago, and now it’s finally ready! Patchouli is a very earthy scent, and [...]