Derived from the leaves of the Pogostemon cablin plant, this certified organic Patchouli essential oil lends a rich, earthy aroma. The plant became iconic in the 1960s counterculture, where it was embraced as a symbol of rebellion, freedom and a return to nature, rejecting the synthetic, materialistic values of mainstream society, and became closely associated with the hippie movement. Its strong, pervasive scent was also used to mask the smell of marijuana, which was frowned upon at the time. In modern perfumery, patchouli adds depth and longevity to fragrances when used sparingly in amber or spicy compositions. The plant is usually harvested once or twice a year during the dry season when the leaves are fully mature but not overly aged, then they are fermented before being distilled. The longer this fermentation, or aging, period, the darker and earthier the resulting oil.
