Patchouli Alcohol — Patchoulol (Sesquiterpene · Anti-inflammatory · Antidepressant · Anti-obesity)

Compound	Patchouli Alcohol (Patchoulol)
Chemical class	Terpenoid — Sesquiterpene Alcohol (Patchoulane skeleton)
CAS	5986-55-0
Primary source	Pogostemon cablin (patchouli, leaves)
Key applications	Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anti-obesity, fragrance
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Patchouli essential oil (30–45% patchouli alcohol); Patchouli Leaf Liquid Extract
Buy from Herbuno	Patchouli Leaf Liquid Extract (Water Soluble) - Pogostemon cablin →

Name origin: From Patchouli — the plant’s common name (from Tamil patchai = green + ilai = leaf). Patchoulol/patchouli alcohol is the primary sesquiterpene alcohol of Pogostemon cablin and the compound responsible for patchouli oil’s characteristic deep, earthy, woody-sweet fragrance. The patchoulane skeleton is a unique tricyclic sesquiterpene arrangement not found in many other botanicals. Traditional use: Patchouli has been used in Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian traditional medicine for digestive complaints, skin conditions, insect repellent, cold/fever management, and as a prestigious fragrance and incense ingredient for over 2,000 years. Indian textile merchants used patchouli leaves to pack their goods to protect against moths — introducing the characteristic aroma to Victorian Europe and establishing patchouli as an emblem of the spice trade. Research trajectory: Patchouli alcohol has documented anti-inflammatory (NF-κB, 5-LOX inhibition), antimicrobial, antidepressant (MAO-A inhibition, serotonin modulation), anti-obesity (lipase inhibition, adipogenesis suppression), and antiviral properties in preclinical research. Chinese research groups have been particularly active in patchouli pharmacology. Commercial source: Patchouli Leaf Liquid Extract from Herbuno. See sourcing options below.

---

Evidence for Patchouli Alcohol Applications

Anti-inflammatory: Patchouli alcohol inhibits NF-κB, 5-LOX, and COX-2 in macrophage and epithelial models. In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy in colitis, arthritis, and lung injury animal models is confirmed. The dual COX and LOX inhibition profile is relevant for comprehensive inflammatory management. Claim strength: Moderate.

Antidepressant and mood: Patchouli alcohol inhibits MAO-A (monoamine oxidase A) and modulates serotonin and dopamine levels in animal models. In forced swim and tail suspension tests (standard antidepressant animal assays), patchouli alcohol produces significant antidepressant effects. Inhalation aromatherapy studies with patchouli oil show mood elevation and anxiety reduction in human contexts. Claim strength: Moderate (animal data; human inhalation aromatherapy data).

Anti-obesity: Patchouli alcohol inhibits pancreatic lipase (reducing fat absorption), suppresses adipocyte differentiation (PPAR-γ inhibition), and activates AMPK in fat cells. In diet-induced obese animal models, reduces body weight, visceral fat, and improves lipid profiles. Claim strength: Moderate (animal data).

Antiviral and antimicrobial: Patchouli alcohol demonstrates antiviral activity against influenza A (H1N1, H3N2), herpes simplex virus, and SARS-CoV-2 in cell models. Broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against food-borne pathogens at MIC values of 0.1–1 mg/mL. Claim strength: Moderate.

---

Dosage & Formulator Specification

No established human oral supplement dose for patchouli alcohol. Animal anti-obesity studies: 25–100 mg/kg/day patchouli alcohol. Anti-inflammatory animal models: 20–80 mg/kg/day. For aromatherapy and inhalation mood applications: patchouli essential oil (30–45% patchouli alcohol) at standard diffusion concentrations. For topical antimicrobial and skin applications: patchouli essential oil at 1–5% in carrier oil. Herbuno’s Patchouli Leaf Liquid Extract should be characterised by GC or HPLC for patchouli alcohol content on CoA. Patchouli essential oil improves with age — the characteristic earthy note deepens and loses the initial sharp green notes over years of storage (rare among essential oils).

---

Frequently Asked Questions — Patchouli Alcohol

Why does patchouli oil improve with age?
Most essential oils degrade with age due to oxidation and monoterpene hydrolysis. Patchouli is unusual in improving over time — the initial sharp, green, camphor-like top notes from norpatchoulenol and alpha-patchoulene mellow and dissipate over months to years, while the deep earthy, woody, sweet character from patchouli alcohol becomes dominant. Aged patchouli oil (3–5+ years) is preferred by perfumers and commands premium prices. This ageing property is characteristic of the patchoulane sesquiterpene scaffold and does not occur in most other essential oils.

Is patchouli alcohol the compound responsible for the characteristic patchouli scent?
Yes. Patchouli alcohol (patchoulol) is the primary odour-active constituent of patchouli oil, responsible for the characteristic deep earthy, woody, sweet-musty notes. Minor sesquiterpenes (norpatchoulenol, seychellene, guaiene) contribute secondary facets. The unique patchoulane tricyclic skeleton of patchouli alcohol gives it an odour character unlike any other sesquiterpene — making patchouli oil essentially unreproducible from other botanical sources.

Can patchouli be used in a natural antidepressant formulation?
Patchouli alcohol’s MAO-A inhibitory activity is pharmacologically relevant for mood support, but comes with an important consideration: MAO-A inhibitors (pharmaceutical or botanical) can interact with tyramine-containing foods (aged cheese, red wine, fermented foods) and certain medications (serotonergic drugs, some cold medications) to cause dangerous blood pressure increases (hypertensive crisis) or serotonin syndrome. At the low doses delivered via aromatherapy, this risk is considered negligible; at higher oral supplement doses of concentrated patchouli alcohol, this concern is real. Standard advisory language for MAO-A inhibitor interactions is appropriate for any oral patchouli supplement positioned for mood support.

Is patchouli oil safe for topical use?
Patchouli oil has a well-established safety profile in cosmetics and aromatherapy at standard dilutions (1–5% in carrier oil). It is not a listed EU Cosmetics Regulation fragrance allergen (unlike geraniol, citronellol, and linalool). Patchouli alcohol itself has low dermal sensitisation potential. Standard essential oil dilution practices apply — avoid undiluted application, perform patch tests for sensitive skin.

Related compounds: Bisabolol, Guaiol, Cedrene, Farnesol

---

Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

← HerbIQ Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery