What is the deal with Patchauli? I just don't get the appeal of the scent. I have never met a person yet who wore it who didn't have WAY too much of it on. Is it just me? Does it actually smell good to some people?
Asked by
stevenb (
3836
)
March 13th, 2010
from iPhone
I notice the stuff quite a lot, seemingly wherever I go. It stands out like a sore thumb to me.
I try to see other peoples reactions to it when I smell it. 99% of the time, everyone I see in the path of the person is wrinkling their noses, and looking for the source of the offending odor. Am I missing the appeal? It is just such a strong smell.
Do the people who wear it get accustomed to it and so have to wear more? Do other people out there like the smell, and I just luck out and know all of the minority who can’t stand it? I swear it burns my eyes and nostrils, and I can hear others saying the same thing and covering their noses to stop the smell.
I is not just here in Spokane, I notice it in Portland, Seattle, New York, New Jersey, Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, and everywhere in between. I didn’t notice any in Paris, which was a nice break. I do see that several of the people wearing it have little round glasses, ponytails, and tweed jackets. Is it a cult I’m unaware of?
Am I just nuts with this?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
18 Answers
Don’t try to understand it if you were born after 1955.
To me, it is intoxicating. I love to burn patchouli incense in order to relax and think. One of my ex-girlfriends introduced the fragrance to me. She wore it as cologne and I was quite enchanted by it. To me, it is very sensual.
I love the smell of patchouli, but I’ve never worn it because so many seem to hate it. I think it might be similar to cilantro in this regard: love it or hate it. I love cilantro, too.
When I was in high school, the kids wore it to mask the smell of pot and cigarettes. I hated the scent as much as tar on the streets. I’d hold my breath and walk in the opposite direction away from the smell.
Then, about 10 years ago, I became familiar with Young Living Patchouli oil, and absolutely LOVED it!
the true oil (not synthetic) is an aphrodisiac oil.
I’ve never liked it either. It all but gives me a headache. WAY too strong a fragrance.
to some people the smell of it is appealing but i don’t like it…. WAY to strong of a fragrance.
I went to a hippie wedding in Montana when I was fifteen. Oh my freakin god. I thought I’d die that day. These were all hippies through and through. Living in a community in the hills, no power, water from a well and bucket, and patchauli everywhere. I couldn’t get out of tere fast enough. Good food, and friendly people though.
I think as @OneMoreMinute said, there is the natural kind that if not overdone can smell sensual and nice. Then there is the icky kind that is way too strong burns your eyes and makes you feel sick.
I used to wear it, a very tiny amount that you had to be very close to my neck to smell.
then I had a very bad experiance while I was wearing it, and it was mentioned, I get flashbacks every time I smell it…shudders
I agree with you. It’s so strong that whenever I smell it, I experience nausea and headaches. Whenever I visit my favorite “hippie” stores, I just hold my breathe and try to endure it because, aside from the smell, I do enjoy the jewelry and hippie clothing they sell.
Patchauli is the base oil I use in an herbal spray that takes the place of deodorant and I love the smell. Granted, it is not the over riding scent but it is there and I find it incredibly pleasant. Pure patchauli oil is a bit over the top for me.
I think it reeks. But patchouli is one of the few scents that will mask the smell of cannabis…
I never had the need to mask the smell of cannabis.
I find the smell much less appealing than rotting garbage.
I didn’t know it was still around! I used to think it pleasant in small doses.
Like any scent, it’s better with less rather than more and it’s too bad some people think it makes urine and stale body odor better.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
