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Patchouli

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Greek Info, Seasonings 1 Info below

INGREDIENTS

1 Info below
– Uses –

INSTRUCTIONS

"One mint [Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)] relative that's not so well known
in temperate North America (though it has been grown here at least since
1900) is patchouli, two species of which (Pogostemon cablin and P.
heyneanus) are increasingly seen in the catalogs of herb nurseries these
days.
"The genus Pogostemon consists of some 30 or 40 species of shrubs,
subshrubs, and herbaceous plants native to tropical Asia. The name means
'bearded thread' in Greek and refers to the hairy middles of the four
stamens.  Other characteristics of the genus include flowers in whorls in
the upper leaf axils; a tubular, five-toothed calyx; a tubular corolla with
four nearly equal lobes, and one style with two stigmas. The fruits are
four seedlike nutlets.
"The name patchouli comes from a Tamil word, paccilai, meaning 'green
leaf.'  An alternate common name seen in some older references is
pucha-pat."
"The species of patchouli commonly available in the United States are P.
cablin and P. heyneanus, also known as P. patchouli or P. patchouly. The
latter is sometimes known as smooth or Java patchouli. Both are shrubby
plants which may grow 3 feet tall under optimal conditions. The green
leaves are roughly egg-shaped, up to 4 inches long, deeply veined, and
notched.  Flowers of P. cablin are white, while those of P. heyneanus are
tinged with purplish pink. They have little fragrance.
"Patchouli is known principally for the fragrance of its essential oil. As
one writer has rhapsodized, 'Fine patchouli has a winelike, ethereal
quality, deep and woody, spicy, almost dry and earthy.' Even those who
don't care for the fragrance of the oil may find the scent of the fresh
leaves quite pleasant.
"Patchouli oil is used extensively in the perfume industry. Major producers
include China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Brazil, and the Seychelles. The
oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and stems, which are harvested two
to three times a year, and the quality of the oil is better if the dried
leaves are aged before distillation."
"Other herbal fragrances that are sometimes blended with patchouli include
basil, bergamot, geranium, juniper, lavender, myrrh, neroli, pine,
sandalwood, and rose. Commercial perfumes that contain patchouli include
Tabu, Bill Blass, and Polo.
"Patchouli is frequently used in soaps and cosmetics that are said to
rejuvenate dry and 'mature' skin.  It works as a deodorant by masking body
odor.  Both the oil and the dried leaves are used in potpourri, the leaves
adding a distinctive texture as well as fragrance to the mixture. The oil
is thought to have fixative properties and is believed to improve with age.
"Patchouli is not widely used as a medicinal herb; its use may cause loss
of appetite or sleep and 'nervous attacks.' Still, some Eastern cultures
esteem it as a prophylactic. Aromatherapists consider patchouli an
aphrodisiac based on the widely held belief that the odor stimulates the
pituitary gland to release endorphins, chemicals that kill pain and promote
euphoria as well as sexual feelings.  They recommend patchouli for external
use to treat anxiety, at least in small doses; too much can be sedative."
"Patchouli has culinary and industrial uses, too.  The fresh leaves of P.
cablin are used as a seasoning, and the dried leaves of P. heyneanus (the
less fragrant of the two species) flavor an alcoholic beverage. The oil of
P. cablin flavors chewing gum, baked goods, and candy, and that of P.
heyneanus has been used in India ink.
"Cashmere shawls imported into France during Napoleon's reign were packed
in boxes filled with dried patchouli herb to repel insects. European copies
of the shawls failed to sell until manufacturers realized that the exotic
scent was part of the shawls' attraction.
"Cotton balls saturated with patchouli oil and placed among stored clothing
can substitute for the dried leaves as a moth repellent. Mixing equal parts
of dried patchouli leaves and finely ground dried pyrethrum flowers (which
have no aroma) may increase the repellent's effectiveness. Patchouli oil
has also been used to repel silverfish and bookworms from books."
From "An Herb to Know" column in "The Herb Companion." Dec. 1992/Jan. 1993.
Vol. 5, No. 2.  Pp. 20-21. Posted by Cathy Harned.
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

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