Learn About Patchouli

Learn About Patchouli

by | Apr 3, 2018 | Sylla Says

It’s the oil that you either love or hate, the one that’s associated with the ‘60s, and as Sylla says, the oil that’s “an old hippie scent.”

One of the first of Sylla’s discoveries, it is her known favorite. Join Sylla on this earthy, woody adventure as she explores Patchouli.

In this video you’ll learn more about:

  • The chemistry of the oil
  • The therapeutic properties of the oil
  • What Patchouli can do for your skin
  • How its distillation process differs from other oils 

(This is a sneak peak at what you’ll find in our Essential Oil Explorations each month in the Atlantic Aromatic Library Membership)

Here is a profile for Patchouli, to follow along with on the video or to read on your own.

Patchouli Exploration

Common name: Patchouli
Botanical name: Pogostemon cablin

Part of the Labiatae family, Patchouli is a hardy, leafy plant. It is perennial, and it originates in Indonesia and the Philippines. Most of the world-production of Patchouli is from North Sumatra. The plant prefers warm, moist, well-drained conditions.

The leaves and flowers of the Patchouli plant are picked and soaked in water before distillation. Unlike other plants that are quickly distilled, Patchouli must first be fermented, and then it has a long distillation process. Eucalyptus and Lavender may take about an hour to distill, whereas Patchouli takes approximately six to 24 hours. Quite the difference!

Chemically, Patchouli is made up of lots of little components. The dominant molecule family is sesquiterpenes alcohols, with up to 45% sesquiterpene alcohols present in the oil. The sesquiterpenes are what make the oil have the soothing, calming, anti-inflammatory properties we all enjoy.

Patchouli is an antidepressant and anti-inflammatory. It is also antimicrobial and antibacterial, and it can help with things such as staph and strep. It is also great for the skin, as it helps regenerate skin cells, and it is especially good for older tissue. Patchouli can help with things like acne, scars, and wrinkles.

Like a fine wine, Patchouli ages well. The odor is rich, intense, earthy, and woody—a result of the Patchouli alcohol. In perfumery, Patchouli is often a part of chypre (characterized by citrus, cistus, and oakmoss notes) fragrances.

You can see the variety of Patchouli’s color in this video. Indonesian is dark and rich, almost like syrup. The Indian CO2 select is light and golden. The last sample (country of origin unknown) is very light in color, showing just how much variety can exist.

Tell us what you learned! How do you like to use Patchouli? Is it on your list of favorite also?

We hope you enjoyed the sneak-peak of our Patchouli exploration! 

Aromatically Yours,

Nyssa

Why We Don’t Offer Aromatherapy Certification

Why We Don’t Offer Aromatherapy Certification

by | Apr 18, 2014 | Classes

Most aromatherapy programs provide the option of becoming a “Certified Aromatherapist.” But what does this title really mean? Aromatherapy is not officially regulated, as other trades like massage and nursing are. As a result, there’s a broad spectrum of aromatherapy programs and approaches to marketing out there.

We’ve decided against offering the “Certified Aromatherapist” title. Instead, we focus on what it really takes to create confident and empowered Aromatherapy Practitioners.

We offer certificates for all of our classes. These show completion of hours and topics listed. However, these do not signify certification or license to practice. In reality, the term “certification” has no meaning. It is simply a marketing term used by schools. It is similar to essential oil companies using the terms “certified pure therapeutic” or “pharma grade.”

The Registered Aromatherapist or RA designation is the only recognized title in aromatherapy. In order to receive this designation, one must take the ARC’s independent exam.

Our Approach

We’ve designed our Aromatherapy Practitioner Course to help you become an aromatherapy practitioner. This looks different for everyone. Some people engage in home use for the family; some incorporate aromatherapy into their practices (such as massage); others start businesses doing consultations or selling essential oils.

For us, the ultimate goal is to take the ARC exam and become a Registered Aromatherapist. This is the gold standard of aromatherapy designations. Our classes, courses, and training programs are geared to prepare you for this exam.

Do your research before embarking on a route of study. Find the program that’s right for you.

Let us know how the Atlantic Institute can help support your practice.