{{Taxobox
| name = Patchouli
| image = Pogostemon cablin0.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = Plantae
| divisio = Magnoliophyta
| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = Lamiales
| familia = Lamiaceae
| genus = ''Pogostemon''
| species = '''''P. cablin'''''
| binomial = ''Pogostemon cablin''
| binomial_authority = Benth.
}}

'''Patchouli''' (also '''patchouly''' or '''pachouli''') is a bushy mint family, with erect stems, reaching two or three feet (about 0.75 metre) in height and bearing small pale pink-white flowers. The plant is native to tropical regions of Asia and is now extensively cultivated in Caribbean countries, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, West Africa and Vietnam.

The scent of patchouli is heavy and strong. It has been used for centuries in Tamil ''patchai'' பச்சை (green), ''ellai'' இலை (leaf).

''Pogostemon cablin'', ''P. commosum'', ''P. hortensis'', ''P. heyneasus'' and ''P. plectranthoides'' are all cultivated for their oils and all are known as 'patchouli' oil, but ''P. cablin'' is considered superior.

== Extraction of the essential oil ==

Extraction of the essential oil is by steam distillation, requiring the cell walls of the leaves to be first ruptured. This can be achieved by steam scalding, light fermentation, or by drying.

Leaves are harvested several times a year, and where dried may be exported for distillation of the oil. Sources disagree over how to obtain the best quality oil. Some claim the highest quality oil is usually produced from fresh leaves, distilled close to the plantation,<ref name="grieve">Grieve, Maude(1995) ''A Modern Herbal'' [http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/patcho15.html]. 2007</ref> while others claim baling the dried leaves and allowing them to ferment a little is best.<ref name="leung">Leung A, Foster S ''Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in food, drugs and cosmetics'' John Wiley and Sons 1996</ref>

== Uses ==
In Europe and the US, patchouli oil and incense underwent a surge in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, mostly among devotees of the free love and hippie lifestyles. It has also been used as a hair conditioner for dreadlocks.  One study suggests Patchouli oil may serve as an outdoor insect repellent.<ref name="phyto">''Phytotherapy Research'' 2005, vol 19, pp 303–9.</ref>  In several Asian countries, such as  Japan and Malaysia, Patchouli is also used as an antidote for poisonous snakebites.

Le '''patchouli''' est une plante tropicale de la famille des Lamiacées utilisée surtout en cosmétologie. En médecine traditionnelle chinoise, on l'emploie pour soigner la gastro-entérite. En aromathérapie, son essence est un tonique et un stimulant digestif, un tonique circulatoire (on l'utilise aussi pour les soins de la peau). Le terme « patchouli » désigne aussi le parfum extrait de cette plante. C'est souvent synonyme de parfum ordinaire.

La plante (''Pogostemon cablin'' (Blanco) Benth., synonyme de ''Pogostemon patchouly'' Pellet.) est surtout cultivée en Indonésie et aux Philippines. L'huile essentielle est produite par distillation des feuilles. Une fois obtenue, l'essence doit vieillir plusieurs mois en fûts pour perdre de son amertume.

Le '''patchouli''' est un parfum qui n'a pas très bonne réputation, peut-être parce qu'il n'est pas assez cher. Synonyme de vulgarité pendant de longues années, on le trouve ensuite associé au mouvement hippie des années 1970. En parfumerie moderne, il est utilisé comme note de fond, ajoutant un arôme de terre aux parfums masculins (cuirs et boisés) ou féminins (chyprés et ambrés).