Get to Know Their Aroma, Components, and Applications
Peppermint and patchouli plants belong to the Lamiaceae botanical family. But leaves of both plants differ in aroma, properties, flavor, and uses. Peppermint is known for its minty fragrance, and patchouli is known for its deep, sensuous, musky, and woody aroma.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil extracted from peppermint leaves is highly concentrated compared to many other essential oils. Its low dilution even offers a fresh, minty, and uplifting aroma. The users can enjoy its scent throughout the year. By appearance, the oil is a thin clear liquid with a yellow tinge. It offers top minty notes to any formulation and blends well with Roman chamomile, rosemary, cedarwood, copaiba, bergamot, and basil essential oils.
Menthol – Main Component in Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil contains menthol compounds significantly. Menthol induces a cooling sensation upon topical application and reduces headaches and muscular and joint pain. It numbs the pain and heals rashes and redness. It freshens breath and removes bad odor from the mouth.
Peppermint oil dilution in a body mist and diffuser blend helps users cool down. Diffusion of peppermint oil also enhances alertness and stamina and facilitates respiration. Many users consider it an aphrodisiac. Some also appreciate peppermint oil for its digestive properties. Guided intake of this oil relieves flatulence, colic, and stomach cramps. The users prefer to use it in confectionaries, body mists, diffuser blends, dental care products, massage oils, and minty rubs.
Patchouli Essential Oil
Derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant (Pogostemon cablin), patchouli essential oil is a deep golden brown medium to thick oil with a rich, earthy smell. Its aroma gets better with time, like a fine wine. The oil blends well with ylang-ylang, lavender, rosewood, rose, lime, bergamot, grapefruit, and lemongrass essential oils.
Patchoulol – Principal Compound in Patchouli Essential oil
Patchoulol compounds in patchouli oil display grounding, balancing, and mood-harmonizing properties. The perfumers use it in premium unisex fragrances for its base notes. The diffusion of patchouli oil during meditation helps connect with the cosmos and develop spiritual connections. Patchouli essential oil manufacturers advise using it in low dilution to prevent the dominance of its fragrance in a blend. The oil works better as a team player. Patchouli oil application also helps in skincare and haircare. It moisturizes skin, prevents acne, and treats eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff. Its astringent property tightens skin and delays aging signs. The users also appreciate it as a perfect oil for mature skin.
Its aroma repels insects and mosquitoes. Though patchouli oil is an ideal ingredient in cosmetics, aromatherapy, massage oils, and cleansing products, the manufacturers do not recommend ingestion of this oil.
Availability
The major cultivation of both these plants takes place in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other South Asian countries. The essential oil suppliers in this region offer authentic peppermint and patchouli oils at the best rates. They also provide variants of these oils. The users can pick the best among minty and patchouli essential oils with different aroma nuances.
