Patchouli is a bushy herb that reach two or three feet high. It has small, pale pink-white flowers. The chemical components of patchouli oil are b-patchoulene, a-guaiene, caryophyllene, a-patchoulene, seychellene, a-bulnesene, norpatchoulenol, patchouli and pogostol. Patchouli oil is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves. The color of the oil will deepen from a light yellowish, pale red to a deep, dark amber upon aging, and the oil will become more and more viscous. Fresh patchouli essential oil has a sharp, green fragrance.