Patchouli Essential Oil

 

Patchouli Essential Oil (CAS 8014-09-3, INCI name -distilled essential oil standardized to >26% patchoulol, distilled from Pogostemon cablin leaves. Baisifu supplies food-grade, BP/USP and Ph.Eur. equivalent batches from a Xi’an facility, with every drum shipped with a COA, allergen declaration and IFRA documentation.

Botanical identity and chemistry

Patchouli Essential Oil is the steam-distilled volatile oil obtained from the fermented or dried leaves of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth., a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family cultivated in southern China and across tropical Asia for its rich, deep, earthy-woody scent. The oil is dominated by patchoulol, a tricyclic sesquiterpene alcohol, supported by a complex secondary cast of alpha-bulnesene, alpha-guaiene, seychellene and caryophyllene that together give patchouli its unmistakable base-note character.

Distillation and standardisation

Leaves are harvested, lightly fermented or dried, and charged to stainless-steel stills for steam distillation at atmospheric pressure; the long distillation cycle (typically 6 to 8 hours) reflects the high-boiling sesquiterpene profile. The crude oil is decanted, dried and standardised in-house to a minimum of 26 percent patchoulol by GC-MS against a reference marker. Baisifu does not dilute with synthetic patchoulol or blend in guaiac wood oil; every drum is single-botanical-source P. cablin leaf oil.

Active profile by GC-MS

Beyond the patchoulol anchor, the GC-MS fingerprint carries a reproducible secondary cast of alpha-bulnesene, alpha-guaiene, seychellene, beta-caryophyllene and norpatchoulenol. Baisifu records the full chromatogram on each COA; the patchoulol-to-alpha-bulnesene ratio is a sensitive indicator of fermentation depth and distillation control, and the norpatchoulenol level contributes the characteristic earthy top note that distinguishes genuine patchouli from synthetic reconstructions.

Physical and sensory behaviour

The oil is a clear to slightly viscous, pale-orange to dark-amber liquid with a density near 0.96 g/cm3, a refractive index around 1.510 at 20 degrees Celsius and a boiling point above 250 degrees. Its odour is a rich, deep, earthy-woody, sweet-spicy base note with excellent tenacity and fixative properties; in perfumery it is a classic base-note material that blends with floral, oriental, chypre and woody accords and is one of the few essential oils that improves with age.

Typical applications

Patchouli Essential Oil enters the following formulation workflows:

• fine fragrance and functional perfumery
• incense and ceremonial formulations
• skin-care and cosmetic botanicals
• aromatherapy and wellness blends
• oriental and chypre fragrance accords
• fixative for volatile compositions

Formulation and blending notes

The oil is miscible with ethanol and fixed oils and soluble in propylene glycol at typical use levels, though solubility may require gentle warming because of the high sesquiterpene content. Patchouli has no significant phototoxicity and carries a relatively wide IFRA margin, which makes it a preferred base-note material for leave-on skin formats. The oil is one of the few essential oils that matures with age, developing a smoother, deeper profile over months or years in sealed storage.

COA and batch documentation

Each drum ships with a Certificate of Analysis carrying the GC-MS chromatogram, patchoulol assay, specific gravity, refractive index, heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) and pesticide residue screen. An allergen declaration, an IFRA conformity statement and a Statement of Origin complete the pack, giving QC and regulatory teams a single-shipment document set.

Regulatory and compliance

Patchouli oil is generally recognised as safe in fragrance applications and is permitted under the IFRA Code of Practice with a relatively wide margin. Under EU CLP the concentrated oil is classified as hazardous (flammable liquid category 3, aspiration toxicant category 1, skin sensitiser category 1), so Hazmat labelling and UN 1993 shipping names apply for bulk movement.

Packaging, storage and supply

Patchouli Essential Oil is filled into 180 kg HDPE drums or 50 kg sample drums, nitrogen-blanketed and sealed under COA. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; the recommended storage temperature is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius with a shelf life of 36 months from manufacture in original sealed packaging, though the oil continues to mature favourably beyond this period. Baisifu ships ex-Xi’an, MOQ 50 kg for sample development and 1,000 kg and above for production orders; standard lead time 7 to 15 days depending on batch availability, with express air freight on request.

Questions buyers ask

What patchoulol level can you guarantee?

The standardised grade is assayed by GC-MS to a minimum of 26 percent patchoulol against a reference marker; the exact figure and the full secondary sesquiterpene fingerprint are printed on the COA of every drum.

Why is patchouli oil so dark and viscous?

The high sesquiterpene content (patchoulol, bulnesene, guaiene) gives the oil a higher density, refractive index and boiling point than lighter monoterpene-rich oils; the pale-orange to amber colour comes from trace non-volatile pigments carried through from the fermented leaf, and the viscosity decreases on gentle warming.

Does the oil improve with age?

Yes. Patchouli is one of the few essential oils that matures favourably in sealed storage, developing a smoother, deeper and less harsh profile over months or years; the shelf life on the COA is set at 36 months, but well-stored patchouli can remain usable well beyond this period.

Need specifications, COA, or a wholesale quote? Contact Baisifu — typical response within 24 hours.