Patchouli

Pogostemon cabli

Common name:  Patchouli

Local name: Nilam

Family:  Lamiaceae

This plant is indigenous to Philippines.  It was introduced and cultivated for its essential oil in Malay Peninsular in 1980’s.  Patchouli is a cultivated species and is grown on plantations in Malaysia.  It is rarely found in the wild.

The plant is used as a gargle for weak and spongy gums, pyrrohoea and halitosis.  Internally, it acts as an aromatic stomachic and carminative with astringent properties and is useful in treating anorexia, chronic dyspepsia, flatulence, gonorrhoea, chronic bronchitis, cardiac dropsy, gangrene of the lungs and phthisis.  It is also used as an expectorant, diuretic and disinfectant for the genito-urinary mucous membrane.  In Malaysia, a decoction prepared from roots is used for treating dropsy whilst tat of the leaves is taken for coughs and asthma.  The leaves are made into poultices for boils, headache, jaundice and bilious fevers.  A lotion from the roots is used for rheumatism.

The oil from this leaves is generally blended with other essential oils, for example, with those of geranium or clove before use.  It is used in a wide range of toiletry products such as toilet soaps, scents, body lotions, pre-shave, after-shave lotions and detergents.