Patchouli, a herb widely used for Meniere syndrome

What is patchouli(Pogostemon Cablin, Huo Xiang)?
Medicinally it refers to the dried aerial part of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth., a plant in the family Lamiaceae. So, it is also commonly known as Herba Pogostemonis sometimes. Actually another herb called Agastache rugosa in different genus also shares the name of Huo Xiang. In comparison, patchouli herb has stronger scent and better medicinal properties. It is normally harvested during summer when the plant flourishes. After the reaping, it needs to be dried in the sun by day and covered tightly by night till it is fully dried.

This is a perennial herb or shrub that grows to 30 to 100cm in height. A unique aroma will send out when it is rubbed. Stems are erect and with multiple branches on the upper part. Older branch is stout and nearly round but the younger one is square and densely covered with gray-yellow pubescence. Leaves are opposite, rounded to broadly ovate, 2 to 10cm long, 2.5 to 7cm with, and with acute or obtuse apex, cuneate or cordate base, margin with blunt teeth or sometimes split, hairy sides, and densely hairy veins. Hairy petiole is 1 to 6cm in length. Verticillaster densely gathers into fake spica. Flowers are purple. Nutlets are nearly spherical and slightly flattened. It is native to tropical regions of Asia. In China it is mainly produced in Guangdong and Hainan but few of them bloom there.

Patchouli oil benefits
Patchouli can be used for cooking in some uncommon dishes and snacks for the purposes of adding the flavor layers and increasing nutritional value. And patchouli plant is also a good option for front house landscaping. Apparently what this herb can do is much more than the above-mentioned benefits. Its whole plant can stop vomiting, heal abdominal pain in cholera, get rid of bloating, and clear summer-heat; fruits can be used as fragrance; leaves and stems are rich in essential oil that can be used as the raw materials of perfumes thanks to its strong and heavy scent. When it is used in aromatherapy, it blends well with lavender, jasmine, vanilla, and others according to the preference. You are bound to be marveled at this long list of patchouli products – patchouli based perfumes, soap, candles, hand lotion, incense, fragrance for women, air freshener, aftershave, cologne for men, deodorant, herbal shampoo, tea, and so on. More importantly, it is a herb for healing, which is widely used for the treatment of acclimatization failure, Acne, seasickness, air sickness, air-conditions disease, Meniere’s syndrome (vertigo, Tinnitus, and deafness), pediatric indigestion, prickly heat, Leukorrhagia, hangover, insect bites, Eczema, etc.