Indonesian’s Patchouli

The Progestemon cablin Benth

Patchouli Plant

Patchouli plant (Pogostemon Cablin Benth) is included in the family of Labiateae that produced essential oil. Allegedly entered Indonesia hundreds of years ago, Patchouli widely used for washing clothes, especially batik, by aristocratic women. Villagers around the Java’s palace used as traditional fragrance materials for infants. Till nowadays, the weavers of wool fabric In Kashmir and Australia used Patchouli as pest prevention materials, gives a distinctive aroma and increase the fabrics quality.

North Sumatra is the entrance of Patchouli plant in Indonesia. It is taken by India Merchants trough Philippine and spread to the Malay Peninsula come in to Sumatra and Java. There are three types of patchouli in Indonesia, namely:

1. Pogostemon cablin Benth, called Aceh Patchouli, rarely flowering, oil content reached 2.5 to 4%,
2. Pogostemon Heynecnus Benth, called Javanese or Forest patchouli, flowering, oil content ranges from 1-2%,
3. Pogostemon Hortensis BACKER Bent, this type only grows in Banten, Java looks like with Patchouli, low oil content of 0.5 - 1.5%.

Now days, Aceh Patchouli spread in almost Indonesian islands such as Java, Sulawesi, Flores. Indonesia as a tropical country and their fertility land causes patchouli easy to grow and widespread in almost area. Patchouli have an economic value to contribute on foreign exchange in its form as essential oils and exported to many countries around the world such as USA, France, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Japan and Australia. The world needs on essential oil of patchouli is between 600-800 tonnes a year, that is 60-80% supplied from Indonesia. They, the importer, use patchouli for a binder perfume and cosmetic industries. The consumers have been known excellence of Indonesian patchouli oil that is long lasting aroma compared to other country patchouli industry. This leads Indonesian patchouli respected international market (Mangun, 2008).

Patchouli grows well in lowland, and reach high production at an altitude of 10-400 m above sea level with fertile soil, humus and contain sufficient organic matter. Needs enough sunlight and rainfall volume 2500-3500 mm/year, with a temperature of 24-28*C. Patchouli can be harvested after 6-8 months. The next harvest can be done after 3-5 months after the first harvest and can be done up to 4 times after the first harvest, the plants subsequently replaced with a new one.

Patchouli Oil Refining
Patchouli oil refining is the process of oil extraction activity of dried herb (leaves and branches) with the help of water vapor.
Distillation is generally performed in two ways:
(1) Steam; in this process, the material (dry herb) is placed over the attacks, which are underneath the water that is boiled.
(2) Direct Evaporation; the dried herb is placed in the kettle and steam distilled water is boiled in the boiler flowed into the bottom of the kettle flute.

Patchouli and other essential oils distillation equipment made of steel and stainless steel in various sizes, equipped with condensation prevention system and steam spreaders to increase the yield of essential oil. The distillation equipment unit requires tools such as cooling pools used for condensation steam out of the kettle. The tool principle is to change the vapor phase into the liquid phase due to the heat exchange cooling pipes and kilns.

Oil Production

Most of Indonesian patchouli oil production is still low, the causes of oil production include: (1) the type of patchouli, (2) the process of drying / wilting of leaves, (3) the material type of distilled tool, (4) refining system and (5) storage system. 

In general process, leaf of dried herb is only able to give 1-2% oil. Varieties specifically for Aceh patchouli oil is able to achieve levels of between 2-3% more. Indonesian patchouli oil production in 2011 was only 800 tons, a decrease of 200 tons compared to the previous year (Source of Essential Oil Association of Indonesia), while patchouli world needs as much as 1,500 tons per year, of which 70 percent was supplied by Indonesia. The low patchouli oil production in Indonesia is also influenced by factors fluctuating prices. The reluctance of farmers to plant patchouli because of the price pressure from refiners, while refiners pressed by the collectors / local mediators who tend to seek advantage of the market situation.

Benefits of Patchouli Oil

Oil quality is determined by the physic-chemical properties of the oil, the most decisive factor is the quality of patchouli oil content of patchouli alcohol (PA). PA is the largest component (50-60%) of the oil and give a smell (odor) that are characteristic of patchouli oil, because it contains nor-patchoulene. PA levels> 30%, a minimum requirement for export. The benefits of patchouli oil can be used as an antiseptic, insecticide, and aromatherapy, anti-acne, eczema medicine, and chapped skin, and dandruff, reduces inflammation, and even can help reduce anxiety and depression, or help people with insomnia (sleeping disorders) and is an aphrodisiac to increase sexual arousal. In India dried patchouli leaves are used as fragrances, clothing and rugs. Additional Information reported that the water decoction or patchouli leaf juice can be drunk as a cure cough, asthma, and squeeze roots for rheumatic drugs topically on the affected part. Squeeze of patchouli leaves are also effective for ulcer drugs and dizzy head. While in Europe and the U.S., patchouli oil is used as raw material for the manufacturing industry as a binder perfume smell or fikative perfume, cosmetics, etc. (rid.yok)