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5 Spiritual Benefits of Patchouli and How to Use It

Olivia

July 26, 2023

Patchouli, a perennial herb native to tropical regions of Asia, is more than just a plant with a distinctive scent. It has been used for centuries across various cultures for its aroma and for its profound spiritual benefits. Its relaxing and calming properties have made it one of the most sought-after essential oils. Let’s take a look at the spiritual benefits of patchouli and why it’s so popular.  

History of Patchouli’s Uses  

Patchouli is a bushy perennial plant belonging to the mint family plant. It grows easily in a variety of regions, including Asia, Australia, and Central America. It grows to about 75 centimeters in height and produces small, pale pink-white flowers.  

Derived from the Tamil words “patchai” (green) and “ellai” (leaf), patchouli traveled to the Middle East through the historic Silk Route. Here, they found that it was an effective insect repellent. So, it became used in various ways, like protecting valuable textiles, such as paisley shawls, during transit. Naturally, this made patchouli in high demand and contributed to its widespread fame.  

In the 19th century, French women, influenced by Empress Eugenie, embraced patchouli-scented shawls, which made patchouli a fashionable perfume. So, not only did it serve a practical purpose, but it was also used in beauty. 

How is Patchouli Used Today? 

Like mint, you can use patchouli leaves to make herbal teas, as a seasoning, or eat it as a vegetable. But the most popular way patchouli is used is as an oil. Healers and shamans have used patchouli essential oil for centuries to promote wellness, well-being, and relaxation. So, it’s not really surprising that this powerful plant is one of the most popular essential oils. 

Patchouli oil has various medicinal properties and is a popular essential oil for aromatherapy, perfumes, soaps, candles, lotions, and other beauty products. There’s something about its sweet, spicy, earthy, and cedar-like scent which adds depth and richness to fragrances. 

But patchouli also complements other scents like lavender, sandalwood, labdanum, bergamot, clove, clary sage, and vetiver, often creating a mesmerizing blend. When used with rose, patchouli enhances and stabilizes the flower’s sweet scent. All this means that it’s an excellent base scent as well as a combination scent.  

However, not all patchouli oil is the same. The finest oil is extracted from the top three or four pairs of leaves, where the concentration of the fragrant oil is the highest. So, how would you know that the oil you have is of high quality? It comes down to the potency of the oil. A single drop of patchouli can retain its scent for months. How impressive is that! 

Spiritual Uses and Benefits of Patchouli 

So, what are the spiritual benefits ascribed to patchouli? Let’s take a look at the mystical and spiritual dimensions of patchouli.  

1. Helps You Develop Psychic Powers and Intuition 

The grounding and stabilizing properties of patchouli can help you to connect with your inner self and root yourself in the present moment. It allows you to deeply understand your own intuition and strengthen your psychic abilities. One of the ways to achieve this is through meditation, as you focus on opening your mind and heart and allow yourself to be receptive to any intuitive insights or messages that may come to you. 

Start by finding a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed, then place a few drops of patchouli oil on your temples or in the palm of your hand before taking deep breaths.  

As you inhale, focus on the scent of the oil and let it guide you into a relaxed and meditative state. Once you are in a meditative state, visualize yourself surrounded by the protective and cleansing energy field created by the patchouli oil, which will help to remove any negative or unwanted energies that may be blocking your intuition. 

2. Promotes Calmness, Positive Energy, and Mental Clarity 

Patchouli has uplifting and calming properties, which can help to enhance your focus and mental clarity. Its use in aromatherapy has been linked to relief from anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as improvements in self-esteem and confidence.  

To gain these benefits, you can diffuse patchouli oil into the air, mixing it into massage oil, or adding it to a relaxing bath.  

If you want to use patchouli in clearing negative energy and protecting your space from negative influences, there are several things you can do. You can either dab patchouli spray on your front door, burn patchouli incense near the entrance, or mop your home with patchouli water.  

Simply boil patchouli leaves for approximately five minutes, strain the leaves from the water, let the water cool, and then pour the cooled patchouli water into a spray bottle or add it to your mop water. 

3. Improves Quality of Sleep and Dreams 

If you find yourself struggling with an overactive mind, especially at bedtime, patchouli oil might be just what you need to find relaxation and have a good night’s sleep. It contains natural compounds that can increase the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.  

These have a calming effect on the mind and body, helping to ease anxiety and stress. Patchouli is also believed to affect hormones that regulate sleep cycles, which can improve the quality of sleep, and its sedative properties can prevent waking up throughout the night, allowing for uninterrupted rest. 

Herbalists often recommend massaging diluted patchouli oil into your feet and toes to promote deep, rejuvenating sleep and help calm your thoughts. If you are interested in lucid dreaming, incorporate patchouli leaves into a “dream pillow” to calm your mind, making your dreams more pleasant and less worrisome. To do this, you can place patchouli leaves under your pillow, insert a sachet of patchouli inside your pillow, or keep a bowl of dried or fresh patchouli leaves near your bed. 

4. Promotes Cleansing and Emotional Healing 

If you are seeking to improve your spiritual well-being, patchouli oil is an excellent choice. Its purifying and cleansing properties can create a positive environment for spiritual growth, while its healing abilities can support your journey toward wholeness. By cleansing your aura with patchouli, you can experience a sense of refreshment and rejuvenation, as it is believed to absorb negative energy that can cause feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress.  

One way to harness patchouli’s healing and purifying benefits is through a cleansing bath. If you’ve been feeling stressed or weighed down by worries, try adding 10-20 drops of patchouli oil to your bath water, then soak for at least 20 minutes, allowing your spirit’s energy to become lighter and more vibrant. You can also include Epsom salts or crystals, but avoid using selenite, as it will dissolve in water. Another option is adding dried patchouli leaves to your bath or using patchouli soap to cleanse your body.  

5. Reduces Fear, Anxiety, and Burnout 

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel lost and disconnected from your surroundings. The earthy, grounding scent of patchouli can help you feel more rooted and connected to the world around you, which is why it’s a great herb to use when you are feeling scattered and overwhelmed or feel the need to take a break and find a moment of peace. Try to diffuse patchouli oil or just apply it directly to your wrists, then breathe deeply and intentionally to repel negative feelings like fear and help you feel more grounded. 

Patchouli’s grounding properties also help balance the root chakra, located at the base of the spine and responsible for your sense of safety, security, and survival instincts. A balanced root chakra will give you a strong foundation of self-assurance and courage as you face daily challenges. The crown chakra, positioned at the top of the head and representing your connection to the divine while embodying your spiritual nature, can be opened with the help of patchouli as well. This allows you to deepen your connection with your spiritual self, fostering a greater sense of enlightenment and inner wisdom. 

Wrapping Up 

Symbolism of Herbs – A List is said to be a grounding and balancing oil that promotes feelings of peace, calmness, and relaxation. It is often used in meditation and can help reduce stress and anxiety, which is why it is ideal to use when you feel overwhelmed or burnt out with your daily life.  

It is also known for its uplifting, cleansing, and healing properties, which can promote mental clarity, emotional wellness, and better sleep. To use patchouli, you can either add patchouli oil to your bath water, apply a diluted solution on certain parts of your body, keep dried leaves on your pillow or near your bedside, or spray patchouli water in your room.  

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