Patchouli oil

An orange-brown, viscous essential oil derived from the patchouli plant; see also patchouli leaves. This fragrance was the signature scent of the hippie generation and is used in fragrance compositions; it has a direct effect on the pituitary gland. The purported effect regarding the release of endorphinshas not yet been proven in clinical studies! The active ingredient, patchouli alcohol, activates the mTOR signaling pathway in the hippocampus, leading to a corresponding reduction in stress and depressive behavior. 

In a small randomized clinical trial, a significant reduction in stress levels was demonstrated among emergency room nurses. 

Animal studies have demonstrated an increase in dopamine levels in the brain.  

See also Pogostemon cablin leaf extract (INCI)

Sesquiterpenes; patchouli alcohol, β-patchoulene, pogostone, α-bulnesine, and β-caryophyllene.

The countries of origin for the "patchouli" plant are Burma, India and Malaysia, Indonesia, northern Sumatra, China, Brazil and Africa

Used as a perfume, repellent, also in potpourris and as incense sticks. Pogostemon cablin oil is sprayed on laundry and living spaces or used in potpourris to repel moths or silverfish.

s.a. Pogostemon cablin leaf extract (INCI)

1. https://www.kraeuter-und-duftpflanzen.de/duftpflanzen/patchouli
2. https://www.kneipp.com/ch_de/kneipp-wissen/pflanzenlexikon/patchouli/
3. Shin YK et al. (2020) Effects of Short-Term Inhalation of Patchouli Oil on Professional Quality of Life and Stress Levels in Emergency Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med;26(11):1032-1038. doi: 10.1089/acm.2020.0206. Epub 2020 Sep 10. PMID: 32907352.
4. Ouyang P et al. (2024) Pogostemon cablin essential oil affects anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and the gut microbiota in rats in a chronic unpredictable mild stress model. Front Nutr 14;11:1303002. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1303002. PMID: 38419848; PMCID: PMC10899464.