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Patchouli

Pogostemon cablin, also known as patchouli, is an herb used in aromatherapy and perfumes. It is being investigated for its potential anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Our evidence-based analysis on patchouli features 25 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Patchouli

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Pogostemon cablin, also known as patchouli, is an herb used in aromatherapy, perfumes, and other fragrances.

Patchouli is often used to induce relaxation, but studies have found this effect to be unreliable. When it does work, patchouli supplementation reduces central nervous system activity.

Preliminary evidence suggests patchouli can alleviate influenza. It has a moderate effect on most strains of flu, and a powerful effect on the H1N1 strain. Animal evidence suggests patchouli supplementation may also have an anti-depressant effect.

The main bioactive of patchouli is called patchouli alcohol. It can be used to synthesize Taxol, an anti-cancer medicine.

Though patchouli may be an effective anti-flu herb that makes it easier to relax, much more research is needed to confirm these effects.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

The standard dose for patchouli supplementation is based off of animal doses.

Approximately 40mg/kg of bodyweight of patchouli, given to rats, is associated with anti-depressant effects. This translates to the following human dosages:

• 440mg for a 150lb person

• 580mg for a 200lb person

• 730mg for a 250lb person

A dose of 40-80mg/kg of bodyweight, given to mice, is associated with an anti-flu effect. The estimated human dose equivalent is 3.2-6.4mg/kg of bodyweight.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Patchouli has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
CNS activity
Minor - See study
The decrease in CNS activity was not overly remarkable with Patchouli aromatherapy

Studies Excluded from Consideration

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Pogostemon cablin, Patchouly, Patchy

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This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 25 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Patchouli.

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