Pogostemon Patchouly

This plant affords the celebrated patchouli

perfume. The peculiar odor of patchouli is disagreeable to some,

but is very popular with many persons. The odoriferous part of the

plant is the leaves and young tops, which yield a volatile oil by

distillation, from which an essence is prepared; satchels of

patchouli are made of coarsely powdered leaves. Genuine Indian

shawls and Indian ink were formerly distinguished by their odor of

this perfume, but the test does not now hold good. Ill effects,

such as loss of sleep, nervous attacks, etc., have been ascribed

to its extensive use.