Patchouli is native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula, New Guinea and the Philippines, where it is widely cultivated and has been used for centuries and has a rich, earthy, sometimes woody aroma. 

It is a herb of the mint family with a heavy, strong scent and has been used for centuries for its calming, grounding effects which can reduce feelings of stress, anger, sadness, anxiety and depression.