Pogostemon cablin

Pogostemon cablin, commonly known as patchouli, is a highly aromatic tropical plant celebrated for its intense, earthy fragrance. Prized in the perfume industry and traditional medicine, its essential oil offers therapeutic benefits, including skin healing and calming properties, making it a versatile botanical treasure in holistic wellness practices.

  • Scientific name: Pogostemon cablin
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Its specific taxonomic placement concludes within the genus Pogostemon.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Pogostemon WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Pogostemon cablin, is recognized by various common names depending on the language. In German, it is called Indiische Patschuli, while in Catalan, it is referred to as Patxulí. It is known as pačule obecná in Czech, Patxuli in Basque, and patsuli in Finnish.
Language Common Name Source
de Indisches Patschuli Wikidata
ca Patxulí Wikidata
cs pačule obecná Wikidata
eu Patxuli Wikidata
fi patsuli Wikidata
fr Patchouli Wikidata
he פצ'ולי Wikidata
hu pacsuli Wikidata
id Nilam Wikidata
io Pachulio Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, it can be found in Germany. Within China, its presence is noted in both Hainan and the China Southeast regions. Its range extends further into Eastern Asia, specifically across Taiwan. Finally, the species is also located within the Indian Subcontinent in Sri Lanka.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Sri Lanka WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP
Malesia Jawa WCVP
Malesia Lesser Sunda Is. WCVP
Malesia Malaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as patchouli, is primarily utilized for its aromatic properties derived from its various anatomical structures. The most significant components used in medicinal and perfumery applications are the leaves and the overall aerial parts, which are harvested to extract the plant's essence. Within these structures, the stems also contribute to the total biomass, though the potency is concentrated in the foliage. The primary therapeutic and olfactory value lies in the rich volatile oil produced by the plant, which is subsequently processed to obtain the concentrated oil used in various holistic treatments and fragrances.
Total parts
17
Scientific sources
29
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 4 ★★☆☆☆
aerial parts 4 ★★☆☆☆
stems 3 ★★☆☆☆
volatile oil 2 ★☆☆☆☆
oil 2 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 2 ★☆☆☆☆
essential oil 2 ★☆☆☆☆
stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
herb 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flowers 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Pogostemon cablin has 70 reported phytochemicals identified across 121 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include patchouli alcohol, pogostone, patchoulol, Patchouli alcohol, sesquiterpenes.

Total chemicals
70
Scientific sources
121

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
patchouli alcohol 20 ★★★★★
pogostone 13 ★★★★★
patchoulol 4 ★★☆☆☆
Patchouli alcohol 3 ★★☆☆☆
sesquiterpenes 3 ★★☆☆☆
seychellene 3 ★★☆☆☆
alpha-guaiene 2 ★☆☆☆☆
carotenoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorophyll a 2 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorophyll b 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pogostemon cablin has 10 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Adaptogenic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidepressant.

Total activities
10
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 3 ★★☆☆☆
Adaptogenic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidepressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiinflammatory 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Immunosuppressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Repellent 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pogostemon cablin has 26 reported medicinal uses identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, headaches, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis.

Total uses
26
Scientific sources
29

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Candida albicans 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 2 ★☆☆☆☆
headaches 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus cereus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus subtilis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Micrococcus luteus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
abdominal pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
adjuvant arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aging 1 ★☆☆☆☆