PATCHOULI OIL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Patchouli oil is the oil taken from the dried leaves, young leaves, and shoots of a plant called patchouli (Pogostemon cablin). It is used to make medicine.

People use patchouli oil as a mosquito repellent, for the common cold, cancer, headache, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods and beverages, patchouli oil is used as a flavoring. In manufacturing, patchouli oil is used as a fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics.

How does it work ?

Patchouli oil might help fight certain kinds of bacterial and fungal infections. It might also reduce inflammation.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Mosquito repellent. Early research shows that applying patchouli oil to the skin can repel mosquitoes for about 2 hours. Applying patchouli oil in combination with turmeric oil and another oil might work for even longer.
Stress. Early research suggests that inhaling patchouli oil may reduce stress when used for 2 days. But it's unclear if it is helpful if used for more than 2 days.
Bad breath.
Cancer.
Common cold.
Diarrhea.
Headache.
Nausea.
Stomach pain.
Vomiting.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of patchouli oil for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Patchouli oil seems to be safe in food amounts. But there isn't enough information to know if it is safe when used in larger medicinal amounts or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough information to know if patchouli oil is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if patchouli oil is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for PATCHOULI OIL overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of patchouli oil depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for patchouli oil. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Johnson SS, Oyelola FT, Ari T, Juho H. In vitro inhibitory activities of the extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (family Malvaceae) on selected cytochrome P450 isoforms. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013 Apr 12;10(3):533-40. View abstract.

Kolawole JA, Maduenyi A. Effect of zobo drink (Hibiscus sabdariffa water extract) on pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in human volunteers. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2004;29:25-9. View abstract.

Chen XY, Dou YX, Luo DD, et al. β-Patchoulene from patchouli oil protects against LPS-induced acute lung injury via suppressing NF-κB and activating Nrf2 pathways. Int Immunopharmacol. 2017 Sep;50:270-278. View abstract.

Das NG, Dhiman S, Talukdar PK, Rabha B, Goswami D, Veer V. Synergistic mosquito-repellent activity of Curcuma longa, Pogostemon heyneanus and Zanthoxylum limonella essential oils. J Infect Public Health. 2015 Jul-Aug;8(4):323-8. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Hong SJ, Cho J, Boo CG, et al. Inhalation of patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin Benth.) essential oil improved metabolic parameters in obesity-induced sprague dawley rats. Nutrients. 2020 Jul 13;12(7):2077. View abstract.

Jeong JB, Choi J, Lou Z, Jiang X, Lee SH. Patchouli alcohol, an essential oil of Pogostemon cablin, exhibits anti-tumorigenic activity in human colorectal cancer cells. Int Immunopharmacol. 2013 Jun;16(2):184-90. View abstract.

Park SY, Neupane GP, Lee SO, et al. Protective effects of Pogostemon cablin Bentham water extract on inflammatory cytokine expression in TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Arch Pharm Res. 2014 Feb;37(2):253-62. View abstract.

Shin YK, Lee SY, Lee JM, Kang P, Seol GH. 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. 2020 Nov;26(11):1032-1038. View abstract.

Xu N, Wu X, Luo HJ, et al. Patchouli oil attenuates high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis. Planta Med. 2020 Mar;86(4):255-266. View abstract.

Xu YF, Lian DW, Chen YQ, et al. In Vitro and In Vivo Antibacterial Activities of Patchouli Alcohol, a Naturally Occurring Tricyclic Sesquiterpene, against Helicobacter pylori Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2017 May 24;61(6):e00122-17. View abstract.

Zhou TR, Huang JJ, Huang ZT, Cao HY, Tan B. Inhibitory effects of patchouli alcohol on stress-induced diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2018 Feb 14;24(6):693-705. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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