সেউজী ধৰণী
PATCHOULI:
A POTENT AROMATIC OIL BEARING PLANT
Dr. Gitanjali Devi
Patchouli (Pogostemon
cablin Benth.) has been identified as an essential oil bearing aromatic
plant in Assam with immense export potential. The oil of patchouli is used to
manufacture soap, cosmetics and incense .In its native Indomalesian region it
has been used as an insecticide and leech repellent and to soothe menstrual
cramps. Anti-fungal and anti- inflammatory
properties make it a useful aid in easing dry skin, acne and eczema as well as
benefiting the nervous and glandular systems. In cosmetics, patchouli
oil is used as perfume ingredients because of its fixative properties and
compatibility with other essential oils. Patchouli has found widespread use in
modern industry. It is a component in about a third of modern, high-end perfumes. Patchouli is
also an important ingredient in East Asian incense. It is used as
a scent in products like paper
towels, laundry detergents,
and air fresheners and also food processing industry. During the 18th and 19th
century silk traders from China travelling to the Middle East packed their silk cloth with dried
patchouli leaves to prevent moths
from laying their eggs on the cloth. In the 19th century, the fragrance was
used to scent fabrics manufactured in India for export to Europe. Patchouli is
a perennial bushy herb or shrubs with strong large stems and aromatic furry
leaves under Labiatae family. Its aromatic oils can be found in various parts
of the plant, including leaves, stalks, branches, and roots. The majority of
essential oil in patchouli exists in the leaves cells and hairs of patchouli
leaves. The distillation of dried patchouli leaves produces viscous light
yellow to dark brown patchouli oil that contain
pogostone, thymol, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and henzaldehyde. Worldwide
consumption of patchouli is about 2,000 metric tones a year. Indonesia is the
world largest supplier of patchouli, supplying more than 80% of the world
market .Other producing countries are China, India and Spain. India produces
less than 20 metric tones of patchouli oil whereas consumption of patchouli oil
has reached 300 metric tones a year. It is grown in small pockets mainly in
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The agro-climatic conditions of Assam are conducive for
large-scale cultivation and production of patchouli. Assam has earned
commendation of the World Bank for its success in cultivation and marketing of
patchouli.
The patchouli is a perennial crop, remaining in the field for about 3
years and gives 2 to 3 crops
of leaves annually. Patchouli plant grows alongside paddy, in between large
trees or crops, or in the open fields. It is common to see patchouli plants
growing among rubber, coconut, pine, corn, peanut and other plantation.
Patchouli requires deep, well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soils, rich in humus;
its growth is luxuriant in regions experiencing mild summer (24-28ºC),
and a good rainfall ranging from 150 to 300 cm. Its nursery is raised in shade
by planting 10-12 cm long
cuttings at 10 x 10 cm spacing during the rainy season and the beds are kept
continuously moist. About 85-90 per cent cutting per forth roots in a
fortnight, they are ready for planting in the field in six to eight
weeks at 90 x 90 cm spacing. The crop
requires a liberal amount of organic matter and fertilizers; usually 10-12
tones of farmyard manure with 100 kg of P per ha is incorporated into the soil at the planting time, followed
by 80 to 100 kg of N per hectare to the crop
annually as top dressing in two split applications. Maintenance requires
continuous removal of weeds and measures to prevent insects and parasites
infestation. The first crop is ready for
harvesting in the next 4 to 6 months as indicated by the browning of the lower
leaves, and the herbage is cut 10-25 cm below the apex in the morning hours.
Usually, one or two growing branches are left unplucked to ensure a better
growth of the succeeding harvest. The harvested leaves are dried in thin layers
in shade for 3-4 days and they develop their characteristic odor. Mature stalks
are removed before distillation. Ageing improves the odor and the dry leaves
are therefore stored for a few months before distillation. A good crop stand yields about 2
tones of dry leaves (with 3 to 3.5% oil) per annum, yielding about 50-60 liter
of oil per hectare. The oil sells between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 / litre in the
domestic market and even higher prices abroad. Production from 10 acres of land
can support two distillation units of 1 q capacity (60 kg dry herb/batch) at a
time. Running of two units of smaller size will be more economical
compared to large size one in respect of labour utilization and
distillation efficiency. A farmer should raise his own nursery and for this
should establish nursery at least 6 months ahead of planting and go for
multiplication
Although there are 3 types of
patchouli plant with similar characteristics, only one is extensively
cultivated for its oil. The other two are grown in backyards and used as
natural perfume and remedies.
1. Pogostemon Cablin Benth.: This
is the most common type of patchouli and is also known as Pogostemon Patchouli
or Pogostemon Mentha. Locally it is known as Aceh Patchouli. It is believed to
have originated from the Philippines and later spreads to Indonesia, Malaysia,
Madagascar, Paraguay, and Brazil. The top leaf is shinny green and the bottom
part of the leaf appears dull and hairy, containing most of the oil in the
plant. This type seldom flowers and has high oil yield, from 2.5 to 3.5%.
2. Pogostemon heyneanus: Also known as Java
Patchouli or "forest patchouli". Originally came from India, this
plant grows wild in the Java forest. The leaves are thin, dark green, and more pointed.
It flowers and has oil content 1.5 to 1.5%. In Assam it is widely grown.
3. Pogostemon hortensis: Also known as "soap
patchouli", traditionally used in laundry. The primary area of production
is West Java. The leaf is shiny, smooth and thin, similar to Pogostemon
Heyneanus; however it does not flower. The oil content is only 0.5 to 1.5 %,
making it unattractive commercially.
Patchouli cultivation can be a
good option besides the traditional crops. Patchouli oil production in Assam
could be a low cost agro-base cottage industry, which will give large-scale
employment in rural areas. The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation
(NEDFi) have designed and established a comprehensive system that focuses on
the entire supply chain of patchouli, from cultivating selected patchouli
hybrids to scientifically processing patchouli oil in the laboratories and also
helps chalk out marketing strategies. Several other agencies like Assam Science
Society, Gauhati University and the North Eastern Council (NEC) have also taken
up projects to popularize cultivation of Patchouli.
Though Assam is having
nature friendly environment for the patchouli production and its growing demand
in the pharmaceutical industry outside the region, Assam is losing out the
economic benefit due to lack of awareness among the farmer.
