By itself, patchouli has an herbaceous, earthy scent with undertones of mint. It lies somewhere along the musky-earthy spectrum. And combined with the right ingredients, it can create an intoxicating, beautiful scent. Case in point, it’s usually paired with deep wood notes like vetiver, cedarwood, frankincense, bergamot, and sandalwood.

It also goes well with lighter floral or citrus scents, including rose, lavender, ylang-ylang, and grapefruit. Patchouli actually imparts density and body to these more delicate scents. It’s often the magical base note that binds them together and makes them appear more sophisticated than they really are. This binding property is also the reason why patchouli appears in so many different scented products, including perfumes, candles, cleaning products, and more.

Patchouli is one of those fragrances born from unique origins and carries a somewhat chequered past. Even now, it still seems a little hippie-dippy – reminiscent of the counterculture (and marijuana-centric) hippy movement of the 1960s that first made it so popular in the public eye. Fortunately, patchouli has since shaken off this image and is once again on the rise. Today, it’s become a cornerstone of many iconic fragrances, proving to be a unique, earthy scent that adds a ton of character and depth to any scent.

Patchouli has lots of other uses in various cultures, in large due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Aside from perfume, we see patchouli being used for acne treatment, cold symptoms relief, and fighting infections. The list goes on.

Patchouli also exhibits soothing properties, making it a profoundly relaxing addition to any blend. It’s often used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression.