Patchouli, << PACH u lee or puh CHOO lee, >> is a strongly fragrant oil used in making perfumes. The oil comes from leaves of the patchouli plant, a member of the mint family. The leaves are dried in the sun. To increase the yield of oil, leaves are sometimes allowed to undergo fermentation (a chemical change that breaks down certain materials). Steam is then passed through the leaves to remove the oil. Farmers grow patchouli plants in China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore.
