Perennial herb, 30-60 cm. high. Stems quadrangular, woody at the base, violet-brown. Leaves opposite, coarsely double-toothed.
Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.
Local name:
English names:
Patchouli, patchouli oil plant.
Description:
Perennial herb, 30-60 cm. high. Stems quadrangular, woody at the base, violet-brown. Leaves opposite, coarsely double-toothed. Inflorescence in axillary or terminal spike of contiguous whorls; flowers pale purple (rarely produced). Fruit of 4 hard nutlets. The whole plant is clothed with soft hairs and is strongly scented.
Flowering period:
May - June.
Distribution:
Cultivated in gardens as a medicinal plant.
Parts used:
The whole plant, except for the roots. Plants are harvested before flowering, washed and dried in the sun or in ovens at a low temperature.
Chemical composition:
The whole plant yields an essential oil consisting of benzaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamic anhydride b-patchoulene, a-guaiene, a-bulnesene, a-terpinene, cadinene, patchouli alcohol.
Therapeutic uses:
Except for the roots, the entire plant has antibacterial and demulcent properties. It is used in treating colic, diarrhoea, coryza, vomiting, eructation, halitosis, body pains, influenza, fever, headache, cough and dyspepsia. It is used in a daily dose of 6 to 12g in the form of a powder, infusion or decoction.