
Patchouli oil has been shown to be an effective natural mosquito repellent.
Studies have found that patchouli oil contains compounds that can repel mosquitoes, with some tests showing a 90% reduction in mosquito bites.
This is likely due to the presence of patchoulol, a chemical that has been shown to have insecticidal and repellent properties.
Patchouli oil is generally considered safe to use as a mosquito repellent, with few reported side effects.
Product Information
The BodyBest patchouli oil mosquito repellent is a high-quality product made from the leaves of the Pogostemon cablin or Pogostemon patchouli plant, sourced from Asia and India.
The oil is extracted using a steam distillation method, which helps preserve its earthy aroma. This method is a common and effective way to extract essential oils from plants.
The product is available in three convenient sizes: 10 ml, 50 ml, and 100 ml. This makes it easy to choose the right size for your needs, whether you're looking for a small travel-sized bottle or a larger one for frequent use.
Product Specifications
The BodyBest essential oil is a high-quality product that's perfect for aromatherapy enthusiasts. It's extracted from the leaves of the Pogostemon cablin or Pogostemon patchouli plant, which is native to Asia and India.
The oil is extracted using steam distillation, a process that preserves the natural aroma and properties of the plant. This method is considered to be one of the most effective ways to extract essential oils.
The BodyBest essential oil comes in three different sizes: 10 ml, 50 ml, and 100 ml. This makes it easy to choose the perfect size for your needs, whether you're just starting out with essential oils or you're a seasoned pro.
Here are the different sizes available:
- 10 ml
- 50 ml
- 100 ml
The oil has an earthy aroma, which is perfect for those who enjoy the scent of the great outdoors. It's also great for using in incense or applying topically to the skin.
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Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil is a natural and effective mosquito repellent. It contains a compound called patchoulol, which is responsible for its insect-repelling properties.
Patchouli oil has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and as an insect repellent. It's also a popular ingredient in perfumes and fragrances due to its distinctive, earthy scent.
The oil is extracted from the leaves of the patchouli plant, which is native to tropical regions of Asia and Australia. The leaves are rich in essential oils, which are released when the plant is harvested and distilled.
Patchouli oil can be used in a variety of ways to repel mosquitoes, including applying it directly to the skin or clothing. It's also a popular ingredient in homemade mosquito repellents and candles.
Repellent Effectiveness
Patchouli oil has been studied for its mosquito repellent properties, and the results are quite interesting. The effective dose of patchouli oil conferring 99% protection against mosquitoes is 285.679 µg/cm of skin.
The maximum safe dose of patchouli oil is actually lower than its ED99, at 93 µg/cm of skin. This means that while patchouli oil is effective at repelling mosquitoes, it's not safe to use at concentrations higher than 93 µg/cm.
Patchouli oil's median complete protection time (CPT) against mosquitoes is 36 minutes, which is significantly lower than that of clove bud oil. This suggests that patchouli oil may not provide as long-lasting protection against mosquitoes.
Here's a comparison of the repellent effectiveness of clove bud and patchouli oils:
As you can see, clove bud oil is significantly more effective at repelling mosquitoes than patchouli oil, with a much lower ED50 and ED95. However, the CPT for patchouli oil is still relatively short, at 36 minutes.
It's worth noting that the CPT for patchouli oil varied widely among the six volunteers in the study, ranging from 29 to 115 minutes. This suggests that individual results may vary when using patchouli oil as a mosquito repellent.
Studies and Results
In this study, researchers investigated the mosquito repellent efficacy of seven essential oils, including patchouli oil, in two in vivo tests.
The tests involved using two species of Aedes mosquitoes, and the results showed that the essential oils were effective in repelling the mosquitoes.
The minimum repellent dose and the concentration required to protect 90% of the test subjects (CPT) were determined for each of the seven essential oils.
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Dose–Response (μg/cm²)
The dose-response relationship of mosquito repellents is crucial in understanding their effectiveness. The study investigated the minimum repellent dose required to repel a certain percentage of mosquitoes.
The researchers analyzed the data using Probit-plane regressions, which is a statistical method used to estimate the effective dose required to achieve a specific level of mosquito repellency. This method helps to determine the ED50, ED95, and ED99 values, which are essential in understanding the dose-response relationship.
The ED50, ED95, and ED99 values represent the minimal effective dosage required to repel 50%, 95%, and 99% of mosquitoes, respectively. These values are critical in determining the efficacy of mosquito repellents.
The study found that the ED99 and ED50 values, along with their 95% confidence intervals, were estimated using Probit-plane regressions. This information is essential in understanding the dose-response relationship of mosquito repellents.
Bioassays
In the bioassay test, a 16-cm area of skin on a human hand is treated with the test or control compound and placed in a mosquito-containing test arena. This limited skin-exposure area significantly reduces the risk of side effects from the bites.
The test area is exposed to mosquitoes, and the volunteers' reactions are monitored. The bioassay test is a crucial step in determining the effectiveness of a repellent.
Seven essential oils (EOs) are tested in the bioassay: fennel oil, cinnamon, peppermint, ginger oil, black pepper, patchouli oil, and clove bud oil. Each oil is tested at various concentrations, ranging from 2.50% to 30%.
Here's a breakdown of the tested EOs and their corresponding concentrations:
The bioassay test is an essential step in determining the effectiveness of a repellent, and the results of this test will help us understand which EOs are most effective at repelling mosquitoes.
Discussion and Conclusion
Patchouli oil mosquito repellent is a natural and effective way to keep those pesky insects at bay. As we've seen in our previous sections, patchouli oil contains a compound called patchoulol, which has been shown to repel mosquitoes.

The combination of patchouli oil with other natural ingredients like citronella and lemongrass can increase its repellent properties. This blend can be applied to the skin or clothing to provide long-lasting protection against mosquitoes.
While patchouli oil mosquito repellent is a great alternative to DEET-based products, it's essential to note that it may not be as effective in heavy mosquito populations. In areas with high mosquito activity, a combination of patchouli oil with other repellents might be necessary for optimal protection.
Incorporating patchouli oil into your daily routine can be as simple as adding a few drops to your favorite lotion or perfume. This can provide a pleasant and natural way to repel mosquitoes without the harsh chemicals found in many commercial products.
Materials and Methods
Patchouli essential oil is extracted through a steam distillation process from the partially dried and fermented leaves of the patchouli plant.
The oil can range in color from light yellow to deep amber or brown, depending on the type of container used for distillation. When distilled in stainless steel, the oil is usually light in color and not very thick, whereas distillation in cast iron can produce a thick and deep brown oil.
We selected patchouli oil as one of the seven essential oils to test as a mosquito repellent in our bioassays, alongside other oils like fennel, cinnamon, and ginger.
Method of Extraction
Patchouli essential oil is steam distilled from the partially dried and fermented leaves.
The quality of the oil is believed to be highest from the top groups of leaves.
The color of the oil can range from light yellow to deep amber or brown when it emerges from the still.
There are two types of patchouli oil found in the market, "light" and "dark", which are determined by the type of container used for distillation.
Light patchouli oil is usually distilled in stainless steel and is not very thick, while dark patchouli oil is distilled in cast iron and can be thick and deep brown.
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Table 1
The seven essential oils selected for testing as mosquito repellents in in vivo bioassays are listed in Table 1. These oils were chosen for their potential to provide effective protection against mosquitoes.
Fennel oil, with its Latin name Foeniculum vulgare Mill, was one of the oils selected for testing. It was manufactured by Sigma and underwent bioassay GB2009.

Cinnamon oil, with its Latin name Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, was also selected for testing. It was manufactured by Sigma and underwent bioassay GB2009.
Ginger oil, with its Latin name Rhizoma zingiberis Recens, was another oil chosen for testing. It was manufactured by Sigma and underwent bioassay GB2009.
Peppermint oil, with its Latin name Mentha haplocalyx Briq, was selected for testing. It was manufactured by Sigma and underwent bioassay GB2009.
Black pepper oil, with its Latin name Piper nigrum L, was also tested. It was manufactured by Sigma and underwent bioassay GB2009.
Patchouli oil, with its Latin name Pogostemon cablin Benth, was selected for testing in both GB2009 and WHO2009 bioassays. It was manufactured by Sigma.
Clove bud oil, with its Latin name Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr.et Perry, was also selected for testing in both GB2009 and WHO2009 bioassays. It was manufactured by Sigma.
Here is a list of the essential oils selected for testing:
- Fennel oil (Foeniculum vulgare Mill)
- Cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume)
- Ginger oil (Rhizoma zingiberis Recens)
- Peppermint oil (Mentha haplocalyx Briq)
- Black pepper oil (Piper nigrum L)
- Patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin Benth)
- Clove bud oil (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr.et Perry)
Materials and Methods
Patchouli essential oil is extracted through a process called steam distillation, which involves partially drying and fermenting the leaves.
The quality of the oil can vary depending on the type of container used for distillation. In stainless steel, the oil is typically light in color and not very thick, while distillation in cast iron can produce a thick and deep brown oil.
Patchouli oil is available in two types: "light" and "dark". The difference between them is determined by the type of container used for distillation.
Here are the seven essential oils selected for testing as mosquito repellents:
The manufacturer of these essential oils is Sigma, and they were tested for mosquito repellent properties using the GB2009 and WHO2009 bioassays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bugs hate patchouli?
Patchouli is known to repel a variety of bugs, including bed bugs, mosquitoes, moths, flies, ants, and fleas. If you're looking for a natural way to keep these pests at bay, patchouli may be worth considering.
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