It’s that time of the month again, the time where we receive our monthly surprise essential oil from Plant Therapy! September’s oil is green patchouli absolute, and I have to say, it’s the perfect oil for the men in your life.

Plant Therapy’s Oil of The Month – Green Patchouli Absolute

The green patchouli absolute offered by Plant Therapy is harvested from the steep hillsides of Indonesia.

Its solvent extracted from the dark olive-green leaves of the patchouli plant and has a very viscous consistency somewhat akin to vetiver essential oil.

The fact that it’s solvent extracted is what makes its aroma different than steam distilled patchouli. While the steam distilled version has a rich and mysterious fragrance with faint fruity notes that mellow with age, green patchouli absolute has a very clean and earthy aroma.

The scent can be described as rich, balsamic, woodsy, and fruity with an amber intensity that makes you think of incense. It makes for an excellent addition to homemade men’s products like shave oil, solid colognes, beard balms, and hand lotion.

Therapeutic Properties of Green Patchouli Absolute

Green patchouli absolute can be used in much the same way as steam distilled patchouli though due to its viscosity, is better suited for diffusion or body care recipes.

Therapeutically, Green Patchouli is Helpful For:

• Aging skin
• Chapped skin
• Clarifying the mind
• Combating odors
• Digestive upset
• Dispelling feelings of jealousy, obsession, and insecurities
• Fluid retention
• Hypertension
• Inflammation
• Itchy skin
• Listeria infection
• Nausea – one of the best!
• Reducing nervous tension and worry
• Skin conditions like eczema and acne

Green Patchouli Absolute Blends Well With:

• Bergamot
• Cassia
• Cedarwood
• Cinnamon leaf and bark
• Clary sage
• Clove
• Geranium
• Labdanum
• Lavender
• Myrrh
• Neroli
• Oakmoss
• Orris
• Pine
• Rose
• Sage
• Sandalwood
• Sweet orange
• Vetiver

How to Use Green Patchouli Absolute

Since this essential oil is so strong and viscous, you only need a 1-2% dilution.

Here are a few recipes using green patchouli absolute:

Woodsy Beard Balm

What you’ll need:

• Two 2 oz tins (or four 1 oz tins or one 4 oz tin)
• A double boiler
• 2 TB beeswax pellets (get the yellow kind here)
• 2 TB shea butter
• 3 TB plus 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (a mix of argan oil and sweet almond oil works well!)
• 10 drops green patchouli absolute
• 10 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Loving Preparation – Woodsy Beard Oil

• In a double boiler, melt the beeswax, shea butter, and carrier oil
• Stir to combine, then remove from the heat
• Add the essential oils, then stir to mix
• Pour into your tins of choice
• Allow the balm to solidify before use

To Use

Glide your finger over the balm to get a pea-sized amount then melt the balm in your fingers.

Apply from the ends to the roots in order to condition the skin and the beard once daily or as needed.

Solid Cologne

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Solid perfume/cologne tins or one 2 oz tin
• A double boiler
• 1 TB jojoba oil
• 1 TB sweet almond oil
• 1 TB plus 1 teaspoon beeswax pellets (get the yellow kind here)
• 18 drops bay west indies essential oil
• 18 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 18 drops green patchouli absolute
• 6 drops sandalwood essential oil

This recipe makes about 1.5 oz of solid cologne.

Loving Preparation – Solid Cologne

• Melt the jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and beeswax in a double boiler.
• Once completely melted through, remove from the heat and let cool slightly
• Add the essential oils and stir them in to mix
• Pour into your tins of choice and allow to solidify before use.

Manly Soap

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Soap bar molds like this
• An accurate kitchen scale
• A double boiler
• Melt and pour goat’s milk soap base (can sub with cocoa butter, oatmeal, or shea butter soap bases)
• 6-12 drops green patchouli absolute per 1 oz of soap

Loving Preparation – Manly Soap

• The soap mold I linked to above makes 4 oz sized bars of soap, so it is simply a matter of deciding how many bars you would like to make, then measure out the corresponding amount of soap you need. For one bar of soap, simply use the kitchen scale to weight out 4 oz of soap base.
• Add the soap base to a double boiler and melt it over a gentle simmer. Do not melt over high heat and do not over stir or you will make air bubbles in your soap or cause the glycerin to “sweat”
• Once completely melted, allow to cool slightly, then add the green patchouli absolute
• Stir gently to combine to avoid bubbles
• Pour the melted soap into the mold and allow it to solidify completely before removal

Want to pick up this oil? be sure to join Plant Therapy's Oil of the Month Club before September (2018) ends!

Have you ever used green patchouli absolute? Please share in the comments below!

You may also enjoy reading:

Essential Oil Profiles and Therapeutic Uses
DIY All-Natural Pre-Shave Oil Recipe
Juniper Ridge Essential Oils Review – Mountains, Deserts, and Coast
Essential Oil Quick Usage Guide
The Best Herbs for Male Fertility