Patchouli Smells Awful – 3 Tips to Get Rid of Patchouli Smell

Patchouli is a fragrance that can elicit strong reactions – some people find it pleasant, while others find it unpleasant and repulsive.

Although one cannot blame the patchouli smell entirely, some skin types have a different reaction to it. 

That’s one of the main reasons it can smell awful, and rightfully so, because not everyone likes a certain fragrance and vice versa. 

Today, we are going to explain some of the reasons patchouli may smell awful. Not only that, I will also give some tips on removing it in case it seems awful or unpleasant to you. 

Let’s have a look without any further ado: 

Why Patchouli Smells Awful to Some People

Patchouli incense has been used and enjoyed for many centuries for its relaxing, medicinal, and insect-repellent properties not to mention its use as an aphrodisiac. 

However, some people find the odor unpleasant, in the same way, for example, that many people love the flavor of coriander, but some find it a very bitter herb.

Some of the major reasons why it may smell unpleasant include 

1960s Hippie Movement 

First things first, it is associated with the hippie movement of the 1960s when it was accused of being used as a cover for other scents like the smell of alcohol or illegal drugs, and there is still some sentiment against that period. 

It maybe reminds them of a time when they were trying to build a life for themselves and family, and other young people were rebelling against the society they were a part of.

Physical Reaction and Allergies

In other cases, it is a physical reaction. In rare cases, some people are allergic to the aroma and find it an irritant. There are cases where it has caused migraines in some people, although that, again, is fairly rare.

Main Cause of Headache in Some People

Medically, it has been shown that in some people, strong odors, not just from patchouli but from other types of incense and some perfumes and colognes, when inhaled, can cause swelling and dilation to the blood vessels, stimulating the nervous system and causing a headache.

This can happen when patchouli incense blend is burned in unventilated areas, and it can be a little overpowering or when a person has an unknown allergy to any smoke. 

There is nothing in patchouli incense that is an irritant or has any toxicity, but some unfortunate people just have in-built allergies to it.

Precautionary Measures 

For a first-time user of patchouli incense, it is important to check first by burning a little part of an incense stick in a well-ventilated area and just making sure that there is no eye irritation or respiratory reaction, and when you have visitors in your home, ask them first if they have any problems with incense burning.

How to Remove Patchouli Smell? 

If you think that the incense from the Patchouli leaves is not as pleasant as you expected, you can remove it too. 

Some of the remedies that I would recommend are as under; 

Use Baking Soda 

If you want to get rid of the patchouli smell off your clothes, make sure that you add two to three drops of water with baking soda. Prepare a paste and apply it on the fragrance spots. Leave the paste for a short time and remove it accordingly with warm water. This will help you reduce or remove the smell once and for all. 

Using Activated Charcoal 

In case you want to get rid of the smell in a room or house, you will need activated charcoal for it. Available easily at pet stores or online marketplaces, place few pellets in all corners of the room. Make sure that you keep the room ventilated enough. Wait for the smell to go away accordingly. 

Utilize Sunshine 

Another easy remedy to get rid of patchouli incense is to hang your clothes in direct sunlight for an hour or two. Doing this will remove all the smell and stains from your clothes, including the pungent patchouli incense. 

Does Patchouli Smell Bad?

Patchouli is one of the widely used materials in aromatherapy, perfumery, skin care products, and incense manufacturing. Patchouli essential oil is a staple in many aromatherapy routines and home fragrances.

It is used by the world’s spiritual leaders, various cultures, and individuals of various religions worldwide. It is also known as a favorite of hippies. 

Because the patchouli fragrance is derived from the dried leaves of the patchouli plant, it has a distinctive aroma.

It is said that some people are allergic to patchouli, but it is more likely that some people find it an unpleasant scent as they are not accustomed to it.

The sense of smell is one of the 5 senses that enhances the perception of things around us. Some people are not tolerant of strong odors, not only from patchouli but also from other types of incense and some perfumes and colognes. I’ve even heard some people compare the smell of patchouli to that of moldy bread mixed with pine-sol! 

Regardless of whether you find the odor unpleasant or not, patchouli is still a very popular scent choice.

People Also Ask 

Do guys like the smell of patchouli?

The compounds and chemicals in patchouli may initiate the production of hormones that make it likable. Many guys, therefore, like it and use it for beneficial purposes. I will not recommend using it entirely for impressing a guy allergic to Patchouli. 

Is Patchouli a bad scent? 

Patchouli, in all fairness, is not a bad scent at all. It has a musky, sweet aroma with earthy base notes that have a pleasant effect on the smelling sensors in the human body. However, some people may not like it just because they are allergic to such kind of fragrances. All in all, it comes down to one’s own subjective opinion about Patchouli. 

What does patchouli smell like? 

The incense gives an earthy and spicy fragrance with a touch of musky aroma. The essential oil from Patchouli is strong and gives the smell of wet soil. With musky and earthy base notes, it may cause headaches to some people, but that’s extremely rare. 

Parting Words

Our sense of smell is highly subjective, and what one person finds pleasant, another may find disagreeable.

This is certainly the case with patchouli, a fragrance that elicits a wide range of reactions. I find the scent of patchouli to be pleasant.

In this blog post, we’ve explored the reasons why some individuals may find the scent of patchouli unappealing, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience is different.

If you’re having issues with the smell, it’s worth trying out other incense or perfumes to find a scent that works for you.

Thank you for reading. I hope you found this post informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.