Thread: Bad patchouli?

This is somewhat off topic I guess but I thought it would be better answered here. Hope that's ok. if not I'll move it to OT.

I'm just curious. I've heard rave reviews about patchouli soaps so I bought some incense cones labeled patchouli to check the smell. I was going to burn them in the house after its empty to try to give it a sense of relaxed atmosphere. When I opened the bottle it smelled like a combination of wet wood ashes, wet cigarettes, and post game locker room butt.

Is this some manly man thing or did I get a bad lot? I took it back to the store and opened a couple more to smell and they all smelled the same. Then I went to a health food store and smelled the essential oil vials. While the smell lacked the strong smoke and cigarette portion, it still had the post game smell along with a hint of well used unwashed urinal.

I think my olfactory cells are in decent working order. A steak smells like a steak, cedar wood smells like cedar, oak smells like oak, and my wife smells like rose pedals. So what gives? Is it possible I just am smelling in all the wrong places or is this an acquired odor?

I ended up exchanging the patchouli for sandalwood and I bought some dragons blood on the side.

Incense in general smells like a combination of wet wood ashes, wet cigarettes, and post game locker room butt to me. I am not sure how patchouli smells on its own, but you won't be disappointed if you try Colleen's Orange-Patchouli soap. If you're doubious about it, ask for a sample.

if you are old enough to remember hippies, that is what they slathered on themselves instead of bathing. my wife loves the smell of it, I don't.
BUT ymmv

That sounds like the stuff alright.

Originally Posted by FUD

... patchouli ...

gesundheit.

X

How can you tell when patchouli's gone bad --- it always smells like it's past its expiration date. Kind of like telling if yogart's gone bad.


Justin

FUD,

Patchouli does smell very earthy and is known as a base note in perfumery. On its own and in high concentrations it is pretty aweful but in combination with other scents it can be very nice. Often it is sweetened by citrus smells, such as sweet orange or bergamot. It can also be used as a base note to offset pungent top note fragrances such as Eucalyptus and menthol.

I am far from being an expert but hope this helps.

Rob

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

How can you tell when patchouli's gone bad --- it always smells like it's past its expiration date. Kind of like telling if yogart's gone bad.


Justin

I thought that was cottage cheese.

RT

BAD PATCHOULI?


Is there such a thing as GOOD PATCHOULI?????

(...I think not, thank you very much!...)

-whatever

-Lou

AH--- you say cottage cheese -- I say yogurt --- I believe yogurt is bacterial fermented milk -- some might call that rotten


Justin