# Patchouli essential oil

> Patchouli is a deep, earthy single oil long used in skincare and perfumery for its ability to ground floral or citrus blends.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/patchouli

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Pogostemon cablin
- **Plant part:** Leaves
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Thick, earthy, sweet
- **Origin:** Tropical Southeast Asia
- **Blends with:** Florals, citrus

## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate)

Based on 24 GC-MS samples from 11 peer-reviewed papers (2019–2025); Strong evidence base. 50 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range):

| Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| patchoulol | Oxygenated sesquiterpene | 33.25 | 30.81–37.42 | 38.1 | 9 |
| α-bulnesene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 11.27 | 6.05–18.32 | 21 | 6 |
| α-guaiene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 8.35 | 2.25–15.12 | 17.15 | 8 |
| seychellene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 6.69 | 4.58–8.13 | 12.66 | 8 |
| α-patchoulene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 5.45 | 4.72–6.54 | 13.38 | 8 |
| β-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 3.62 | 3.1–4.86 | 6.5 | 8 |
| β-patchoulene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 3.06 | 2.43–3.3 | 5.25 | 7 |
| β-elemene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 1.23 | 1.17–1.46 | 1.46 | 5 |
| α-humulene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 0.62 | 0.52–0.82 | 1.24 | 4 |
| caryophyllene oxide | Oxygenated sesquiterpene | 0.42 | 0.35–1.31 | 3.86 | 5 |

Chemotypes seen in the samples: patchoulol (75% of samples), gallic acid (8% of samples), α-guaiene (8% of samples).

## Key constituents

- **Patchoulol (patchouli alcohol)** (25-40%) — The signature sesquiterpene alcohol responsible for patchouli's deep, earthy aroma
- **Alpha-Bulnesene** (10-20%) — Adds to the rich, woody-earthy depth
- **Alpha-Guaiene** (10-15%) — A supporting sesquiterpene common in patchouli's complex base note

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 2–3 drops is plenty; patchouli works best as a background note rather than the star.
- **On skin:** Dilute to 2–5% in a carrier oil — a classic base note in DIY perfume recipes.

## Safety

- For topical use, dilute 2–5% in a carrier oil and keep out of reach of children.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- Generally gentle and well tolerated; dilute before topical use.
- Not phototoxic. Patchouli oil actually improves with age, unlike citrus oils.
- Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Patchouli oil has been studied for antimicrobial activity in the laboratory, consistent with its patchoulol content. This is an in-vitro finding, not proof of a health benefit. — Swamy & Sinniah (2023), International Journal of Secondary Metabolite (https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1232606)

## Evidence

- Patchouli oil is a heavy sesquiterpene oil defined by patchoulol (patchouli alcohol), which anchors its deep, earthy scent. — van Beek & Joulain (2010), Journal of Essential Oil Research (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2010.9700346)

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does patchouli smell better as it ages?

Unlike citrus oils that degrade, patchouli's heavy sesquiterpenes mellow and round out over time, so well-aged patchouli is often prized. Store it sealed and it will keep for years.

### Is patchouli oil safe on skin?

It's one of the gentler oils and is widely used in skincare and perfume, but as with any essential oil you should dilute it in a carrier before applying.

### Is patchouli phototoxic?

No — it's a leaf-distilled oil with no phototoxic constituents, so there's no sun-exposure concern.

## Sources (GC-MS studies)

- Muhammad S, H P S AK, Abd Hamid S, Danish M, Marwan M, Yunardi Y, Abdullah CK, Faisal M, Yahya EB. Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Patchouli Extracted via Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (SC-CO2) Extraction. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9503852
- Scheau C, Pop CR, Rotar AM, Socaci S, Mălinaș A, Zăhan M, Coldea ȘD, Pop VC, Fit NI, Chirilă F, Criveanu HR, Oltean I. The Influence of Physical Fields (Magnetic and Electric) and LASER Exposure on the Composition and Bioactivity of Cinnamon Bark, Patchouli, and Geranium Essential Oils. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11281253
- Hikal WM, Baz MM, Alshehri MA, Bahattab O, Baeshen RS, Selim AM, Alhwity L, Bousbih R, Alshourbaji MS, Ahl HAHS. Sustainable Pest Management Using Novel Nanoemulsions of Honeysuckle and Patchouli Essential Oils against the West Nile Virus Vector, Culex pipiens, under Laboratory and Field Conditions. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10650709
- Smith H, Assagaf M, Suwarda R, Budiyanto A, Adinegoro H, Manalu LP, Rienoviar, Rosniati, Manoi F, Loppies JE, Ramlah S, Sunarmani, Widayanti SM, Setyadjit, Marwati T, Setyawan N, Tjahjohutomo R, Syaefullah E, Risfaheri, Arif AB. The Flow Rate of the Condenser Cooling Water in the Distillation Process Increases the Quality and Quantity of Patchouli Oil. _TheScientificWorldJournal_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10883745
- Manjesh K, Kundu A, Dutta A, Saha S, Neelakanthaiah BS. Bio-Insecticidal Nanoemulsions of Essential Oil and Lipid-Soluble Fractions of Pogostemon cablin. _Frontiers in plant science_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9101049
- Zhou Y, Pei T, Zhou X, Xu ML, Gao H, Wang L, Gao Y. An Investigation into the Biological Activities of Four Lamiaceae Essential Oils Against Thrips flavus, Crops, and Weeds. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11820231
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto-Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, de Lourdes Bastos M, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Manini P. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the leaves of <i>Pogostemon cablin</i> Benth. (patchouli oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12004087
- Khairan K, Hasan M, Idroes R, Diah M. Fabrication and Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Corn Starch/Patchouli Oil Hydrogel Films Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized in Pogostemon cablin Benth Leaves' Extract. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10004108
- Tan W, Zhang N, Wang J, Pu T, Hu J, Li C, Song Y. Fumigant activity and transcriptomic analysis of two plant essential oils against the tea green leafhopper, Empoasca onukii Matsuda. _Frontiers in physiology_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10546945
- Hong SJ, Cho J, Boo CG, Youn MY, Pan JH, Kim JK, Shin EC. Inhalation of Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin Benth.) Essential Oil Improved Metabolic Parameters in Obesity-Induced Sprague Dawley Rats. _Nutrients_, 2020. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC7400805
- Lima Santos L, Barreto Brandão L, Lopes Martins R, de Menezes Rabelo E, Lobato Rodrigues AB, da Conceição Vieira Araújo CM, Fernandes Sobral T, Ribeiro Galardo AK, Moreira da Silva de Ameida SS. Evaluation of the Larvicidal Potential of the Essential Oil Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth in the Control of Aedes aegypti. _Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6630315

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._