Kratom (mitragyna speciosa) and patchouli have a few things in common.
Kratom and patchouli both are important crops of Indonesia. Some say that Indonesian kratom is the best, and Indonesian patchouli also is the most desirable. Patchouli of Indonesia tends to be stronger, with an earthier scent, than the patchouli grown in India. 90% of patchouli worldwide comes from Indonesia, primarily Sumatra and Sulawesi.
Patchouli’s main chemical components are patchoulol and norpatchoulenol.
You might be surprised at how patchouli compares with kratom, as far as symptoms both of these natural plant substances are said to relieve.
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), is an aromatic flowering plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae), the leaves of which are a source of essential oil.
Patchouli essential oil is obtained from the shade-dried leaves by steam distillation.
The oil is widely used in the manufacture of soaps, perfumes, detergents, cosmetics, and deodorants, although patchouli is not the dominant fragrance in many of these products.
Patchouli essential oil has pleasing musky notes that augment other fragrances and has strong fixative properties. It is also used in aromatherapy, and as a common fragrance for incense and candles. In traditional medicine, the oil is sometimes used topically to treat fungal skin infections, dandruff and eczema and is used in baths for rheumatism.
The leaves can be made into an herbal tea for a variety of digestive ailments and are used as a moth repellent for clothing.
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How about the health benefits of patchouli, as compared to kratom?
Patchouli oil is a very potent herbal substance. It has been used as traditional first-aid for generations. With a pungent fragrance that stands out from everything else, patchouli is said to be effective in helping to combat stress, anxiety, and bouts of depression.
It is also used as an aphrodisiac, mood booster, joy enhancer, sociability inducer, and comfort in times of stress and sorrow.
Patchouli’s fragrance has been championed by hippies in particular, since the 1960s, who are said to have used it to mask the smell of marijuana. Patchouli oil serves as a natural way to counteract bad odors and has often been used as a natural deodorant. Even on a freshly bathed body though, patchouli oil is a nice, soothing scent that reminds some people of hashish.
According to Healthline:
https://www.healthline.com/health/patchouli-oil#uses
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Patchouli oil has a variety of additional uses throughout the world.
Some of these include:
- treating skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, or dry, cracked skin
- easing symptoms of conditions like colds, headaches and stomach upset
- relieving depression
- providing feelings of relaxation
- helping to ease stress and anxiety
- helping with oily hair or dandruff
- controlling appetite
- using as an insecticide, antifungal, and antibacterial agent
- using as an additive (in low concentrations) to flavor foods like candies, baked goods, and beverages
A 2011 study assessed the pain-relieving effects of patchouli extract in mice. The researchers found that giving the extract orally to the mice reduced their response to pain in a variety of tests.
They noted that this pain-relieving effect may be associated with patchouli’s anti-inflammatory effects.
Because patchouli oil can affect blood clotting, the following people should avoid using patchouli oil:
- those taking blood thinning medication
- individuals who have recently had or will be undergoing major surgery
- those with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia
As always, it’s important to remember that essential oils are very concentrated and should be properly diluted before using on the skin or for aromatherapy.
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So you can see that some of the benefits of patchouli are overlapping with the reasons many people use kratom.
Since patchouli is said to help people deal with depression, stress, anxiety, and even pain, perhaps some formulation including patchouli could be useful when you run out of kratom, or when you stop using kratom temporarily.
A reset, where you abstain from kratom briefly, is said to be a good way to prevent developing a tolerance to kratom’s alkaloids. If you have difficulty not taking anything for your symptoms, hopefully, you can find some herbs that will be a fairly good substitute for kratom, while not completely replacing it, for those occasions when you refrain from using it.
With kratom alternatives on hand, you’ll be better equipped to succeed in the kratom lifestyle.
