Modern drugs are a mixture of natural and synthetic chemicals that try to produce the same medicinal qualities that are found in natural oils. One of the new natural chemical favorites is patchouli oil, which is not really new. The oil has become a new clinical aromatherapy favorite, and that musky smell always gives it away.
India is one of those countries that has written records that date back thousands of years. The country is rooted in old traditions and beliefs that are just coming to the surface of understanding in the Western world. Indian medicine has always been a mixture of natural herbs and an ancient mind-body connection that is deeply rooted in beliefs about the multiplicity of the self as well as the soul. Patchouli oil holds a sacred place in Ayurvedic medicine, and it is gaining popularity in clinical aromatherapy in the West.
It’s easy to understand why patchouli oil is used more and more to reduce the signs of aging as well as to relieve depression and anxiety. The chemical compounds in the oil have the ability to interact with the cells in all the organs, and they also can help control the secretion of hormones and enzymes. When the free love movement hit the world in the 1960s, patchouli oil was the odor protector as well as a love potion. The West also found oil that had antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. It healed wounds, settle the stomach and relax the nerves.
One of the main uses for patchouli in clinical aromatherapy is treat impotence and a low libido. When the oil is inhale during an aromatherapy treatment the chemicals interact with the pituitary gland and other glands that secrete testosterone, estrogen, and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), and LH (luteinising hormone), which controls the production of sex hormones in the ovaries. The LH hormone is strongly linked to desire.
Some People Say It’s The Smell That Counts
The Indians used patchouli oil in temples as incense so clinical aromatherapy treatments include steam and massage therapies that reinforce our connection with the planet. A meditative state develops during treatment that brings other aspects of the self into focus and the body relaxes. Depression and anxiety dissipate during the treatment, and when clinical treatments are performed frequently, the endorphins are released in the bloodstream.
When aged patchouli is used in clinical aromatherapy the aroma alone puts the body at ease, and when it is massaged into the skin or added to a bath wounds heal faster and headaches disappear. Other oils like jasmine ylang-ylang, sandalwood, and rose oil blend well with patchouli oil so several chemical properties manifest from different combinations.
Clinical aromatherapy treatments help heal eczema, acne, chapped skin, and surface cuts. The oil also has anti-fungal properties so athlete’s foot can be eliminated as well as other fungal infections. That strong musky smell is cherished by some and avoided by others. But, when it comes to reconnecting with love, some folks say it’s the smell that counts.
