In Japan’s traditional folk medicine, the leaves of the patchouli plant are the best known antidote to the bite of themamushi; a poisonous snake that lurks in the grass in mountainous zones (and in the woods near my house). But in perfumery, the Japanese are known for quiet, transparent...
Cold earth. Fallen leaves. Dark, damp soil, unsullied by amber or vanilla or anything that might soften that patchouli punch. Usually Italian. My pick in this category isPatchouliby Santa Maria Novella(fullreview here). This is cold, damp earth, with a snap-crackle-pop of camphor up front...
Use: The plant and oil have a number of claimed health benefits in herbal folklore and its scent is supposed to be relaxing. In Chinese medicine a decoction of the leaves is used with other drugs to treat nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, colds and headache. In the Philippines an infusion of ...