Patchouli

Patchouli, a perfume derived from the dried branches of Pogostemon patchouli (natural order Labiatæ), first introduced into Britain as an article of merchandise in 1844. The name is from the Tamil patchei, 'gun,' and elei, 'leaf.' The plant, a low shrub 2½ or 3 feet high, is a native of Silhet, the Malay coast, Ceylon, Java, the neighbourhood of Bombay, and probably also of China; but, owing to the fondness of Asiatics for the perfume which it yields, it is difficult to say where it is native or cultivated. Every part of the plant is odoriferous, but the younger portions of the branches with the leaves are chosen; they are usually about a foot long. The odour is peculiar and difficult to define, but it has a slight resemblance to sandalwood; it is very powerful, and to many persons is extremely disagreeable. The odour of patchouli was known in Europe before the material itself was introduced, in consequence of its use in Cashmere to scent the shawls with a view of keeping out moths, which are averse to it; hence the genuine Cashmere shawls were known by their scent, until the French found the secret, and imported the herb for use in the same way. In India it is used as an ingredient in fancy tobaccos and as a perfume for the hair. It is also much prized for keeping insects from linen and woolen articles. The essence of patchouli is a peculiar heavy brown oil, with a disagreeably powerful odour; it is obtained by distillation, and requires extreme dilution for perfumery purposes. A cwt. of the plant yields about 28 oz. of the oil. The Arabs believe it to be efficacious in preventing contagion and prolonging life.