Botanical name : Pogostemon cablin Benth.
Family : Lamiaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Patra, Gandhaparta
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Patchouli
Hindi : Patchouli
Malayalam : Patchouli, Pacholi
Distribution – Throughout warmer parts of India, cultivated.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A bushy herb reaching two or three feet in height. Leaves simple, opposite, membraneous, serrate or dentate and acute. The seed-bearing flowers are very fragrant and bloom in late fall. Seeds are small and delicate. Reproduction usually by vegetative manner. Leaves are harvested several times a year, dried, and exported for distillation of the patchouli oil.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, inflammation, arthritis, cough, anorexia, indigestion and is commonly used as an adulterant for the plant Cinnamomum tamala. (Patra)
Useful part : Leaves