Sesel Sa! January - March 2015 Jan - March 2015 | Page 64
Patchouli
If there ever was a plant that was synonymous to the
islands, the Patchouli. There is even a lively tune that
literally says that the Patchouli leaves are money.
According to the local medicine man, Mr Ferdinand
Vidot, a renowned herbalist of the Seychelles, the
plant has many medicinal uses aside from its more
common uses in the perfume industry.
Patchouli is a species of plant from the genus
Pogostemon in the mint family. It is a bushy herb with
erect stems, reaching two or three feet in height and
bearing small, pale pink-white flowers. The leaves
contain esoteric oils which have been found to have
many uses.
Mr Vidot recounts that there was a time when the
Seychelles would grow the Patchouli for export so he
had ample amounts with which to experiment so as
to come up with the perfect dosage for his clients. He
advises that a tea be made from the leaves to treat
such maladies as:
Bad breath: Mr Vidot advises that one gargles the tea
every morning.
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SESEL SA! | JAN - MAR 2015 ISSUE NO. 6
(Pogostemon cablin )
Urinary issues: Mr Vidot says he always gives the
dosage according to the size of the individual but the
tea will “wash out” the infection. Modern medicine
tells us that the plant is a diuretic and thus will
increase the frequency of urination.
He also uses the plant as a paste. The leaves are
crushed in a mortar and pestle then used to coat
wounds, boils or rashes. Mr Vidot explains that this will
“suck out” the pus, prevent inflammation and “clean”
the blood. Further tests on the Patchoul plants show
that it is antiphlogistic, which means that it helps in
reducing inflammation/fever. It is also antiseptic thus
preventing sepsis, as well as being a cicatrisant which
means it promotes scab formation and diminishes
scars.
Lastly, Patchouli is also a component in the elixir that
Mr Vidot makes to help with bedroom matters. He
swears that the couple that uses the elixir will never be
tired of each other, which stands to reason as research
into the plant’s aphrodisiac properties are being
carried out.