Patchouli perfume is a well-known oriental fragrance, which attracted the Europeans and gained further popularity in the 1960s, and has been a part of the popular culture since then. It is known to be an aphrodisiac and is frequently used in perfumes, aromatherapy and cosmetics.
History
Patchouli perfume which was very popular in the 1960s and still continues to captivate hearts, has a strong earthy fragrance. It is an integral part of perfumes, oils and incense as well. It is derived from the Patchouli plant, which is a small bushy herb and belongs to the mint family. The plant grows to a height of two to three feet and bears pale pink-white flowers. It originates in the tropical regions of Asia, like India, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, Vietnam and West Africa. The fragrance is acquired by distilling the leaves into an essential oil, and this oil is used in perfumery. The scent of the Patchouli is heavy and has a natural feeling to it. The fragrance can last for a long time and can be worn by men as well as women. Its oil and incense gained immense popularity in the 1960s and 1970s in the US and Europe, especially due to the hippie movement.
Patchouli has been used as a fragrance for centuries and also as a herb in foods. It became famous in Europe because of its association with imported Indian silk and ink. Silk materials and cashmere wool shawls brought in from Asia to Europe were always scented with Patchouli. Dried Patchouli leaves were kept among these materials due to their moth repelling ability. The oil fragrance has a unique quality of improving with age. The Europeans came to associate this exotic fragrance with Indian materials brought in and was also used as a proof of authenticity.
How to Make Patchouli Oil Perfume
Patchouli has been associated with the rare combination of love and money. Its oil is made by distillation of its leaves, and has a strong and rich fragrance. You can make your personalized oil and create mesmerizing fragrances that are light on the pocket too! How strong or light your perfume becomes depends on the ratio of the essential oil to water/alcohol that is used. While using water, make sure you use spring or distilled water only. 100% vodka should be used for the alcohol.
Method
- Take the essential oil concentrate (2 oz of 100% vodka or 2 tbsp of distilled/spring water) and add to the Vodka. Stir slowly till the oil disperses. Do not disturb this mixture for 48 hours. Then add 2 tbsp of water (distilled or spring) and leave the mixture for 48 hours at least. The longer you leave the mixture the stronger the fragrance. After the perfume matures, filter the mixture to make sure there are no unwanted sediments in your perfume. Your very own customized Patchouli perfume fragrance is ready. You can also experiment with various fragrances.
- You can prepare a mixture of around 15 drops of Patchouli oil, cinnamon oil and vetiver (an East Indian grass) in a bottle measuring 15 milliliters. Then fill the bottle with scentless blending oils like grape seed oil or apricot kernel oil.
Note: It is important not to apply essential oils directly on the skin, as some of them can be quite strong and might burn the skin. Hence, they should always be diluted. - A light perfume spray called Patchouli tincture can also be prepared. For this, soak some dried Patchouli herbs in Vodka for several weeks and then strain the herbs off. This rich scented alcohol can be diluted with water to get a beautiful, fragrant cologne spray.
- You can also make Patchouli hard perfume which can be used like a balm. In order to prepare the balm, mix melted beeswax, a carrier oil like almond oil, and essential Patchouli oil in one-third portions.
