Patchouli is both a plant and an essential oil derived from the leaves of that plant. The scent of patchouli is very strong, and some people find it offensive. It has been used for centuries in perfumes, and is grown in the East and West Indies.

Patchouli oil and incense underwent a surge in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, mostly by devotees of the free love and hippie lifestyles.

Despite its common association with an alternative lifestyle, patchouli has also found widespread use in modern industry. It is a component in about 1/3 of modern, high-end perfumes, including more than half of perfumes for men.

It is also used as a scent in products like paper towels, laundry detergents, and air fresheners. The essential oil is derived from the steam distillation of the dried leaves of the plant, which provides a relatively high yield of the oil in the process.

It has a number of associated health benefits in herbal-lore, and its scent is supposed to be relaxing.