Did you know patchouli is a great essential oil for creating peace and calm? Aromatherapist Charlynn Avery explains the healing benefits of patchouli and shares an easy recipe for a DIY all-natural foot scrub using essential oils.

When speaking about the benefits of patchouli oil, I often get the same reaction. People either love it or they don’t. If they love it, they have been loyal fans from the beginning and love to wear it. If they don’t, they may have had a negative association from a past experience or consider it a “hippie oil” (as if that’s a bad thing). Either way, patchouli stands out and is one of the most popular essential oils.

Patchouli is a peace generator. It creates a feeling of happy calm and blends well with many other oils – sweet orange, rose and lavender are some great examples. It has a musky, earthy aroma and is incredibly grounding to the wearer.  

Some tips about patchouli essential oil:

  • Patchouli is part of the mint family and is cooling to the body. On warmer days, use patchouli in mists and compresses to cool down the skin.
  • If you find yourself in need of a moment’s peace, patchouli is a great emotional supporter as well. Diffuse the aroma to create calm or at bedtime.
  • Traditionally used in perfumes, patchouli can be added to a carrier base of sweet almond oil to wear on its own or in combination with other oils.
  • To sweeten patchouli, consider combining it with the lesser-known sweet marjoram oil.

Here is a great foot care recipe and a wonderful aromatic combination that can also be used as a body oil – swap your favorite carrier for the baobab if you don’t have it handy. 

Grounding Foot Massage Oil

Ingredients

1 drop vetiver essential oil
3 drops patchouli essential oil
2 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
1 ounce baobab oil

Directions

Blend this combination of earthy essential oils into the baobab oil. Massage into feet.