Essential Oil Database

Photo: Vetiveria Zizanoides

Vetiver

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Vetiveria Zizanoides

Family Name:

Poaceae

Source Country:

China

Plant Parts Used:

Roots

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Benzoic acid, vetiverol, furfurol, vetivone, vetivene, vetivenyl vetivenate

Botanical Description

Photo: Vetiveria Zizanoides

Vetiveria Zizanoides is native to India, and cultivated in tropical climes. It is a perennial grass commonly known as Khus (Kuss-kuss, Vertiver, Vertivert) growing up to 1.5 meters tall. It grows in clumps with long thin stems and leaves, and purple flowers. Vetiver roots grow to a depth of 4 meters, making it an excellent soil erosion control grass.

Vetiver has traditionally been used in the perfume industry and for its medicinal properties.

Photo: Vetiveria Zizanoides

Fragrance

Vetiver essential oil has an earthy, musty scent.

Vertiver essential oil is a dark amber to olive green liquid.

Vetiver blends well with cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Vetiveria Zizanoides

Properties: antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, cicatrizant, nervine, sedative, tonic

Aids: relaxation, sleep.

Alleviates: acne, arthritis, depression, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, sprains, stress.

Vetiver has traditionally been used to calm the emotions.

Safety Data

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.