Description
Vetiver oil is extracted from Vetiveria zizanoides (also known as Andropogon muricatus) of the Gramineae family and is also known as vetivert and khus khus.
This essential oil has a wonderful effect on the mind and body and is useful to dispel irritability, anger and hysteria, while having a balancing effect on the hormonal system and is a great boon for the skin. It is used to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks while nourishing and moisturizing the skin and helping wounds heal.
Oil properties
It has an earthy, musty smell – much like the smell of a damp forest floor and is amber to olive in color.
Origin of Vetiver oil
It is a tall, tufted, perennial, scented grass with long narrow leaves and an abundant complex lacework of underground white roots and is mainly cultivated in the tropics, such as India, Tahiti, Java and Haiti.
The grass was used in Calcutta and Haiti for thatching and awnings, blinds and sunshades, while in Java the roots were used for weaving mats and thatching huts, which not only gave rooms an exquisite fragrance but also deterred insects.
It is a popular ingredient for soaps, toiletries and perfumes and growing the grass protects against soil erosion.
Vetiver oil is also known as the ‘oil of tranquility’ because of its calming properties.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components are benzoic acid, vetiverol, furfurol, a and b-vetivone, vetivene and vetivenyl vetivenate.
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Extraction
It is extracted from the washed, chopped, dried and soaked roots and rootlets by steam distillation and yields about 0.5%.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of vetiver oil are antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cicatrisant, nervine, sedative, tonic, sedative and vulnerary.
Precautions
It is considered a safe oil and is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.
Uses
Vetiver oil calms and soothes the mind and helps to dispel anger, hysteria and irritability and neurotic behavior can also be reduced, as stress and tension is reduced.
It revitalizes the body and helps with mental and physical exhaustion and is also used for general aches and pains, especially for rheumatism, arthritis and muscular pain, while relieving insomnia.
Summary
Vetiver oil has a calming and soothing effect on the nervous system and is helpful for muscular aches and pains, as well as having a positive effect on hormonal imbalance as well as relieving insomnia.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, vetiver oil can be used for nervous complaints, dispelling hysteria, anger and irritability and also to relieve insomnia.
Blended massage oil or in the bath
In blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, vetiver oil can help with mental and physical exhaustion, nervous complaints, rheumatism and arthritic pain, insomnia as well as balancing the hormonal system and have a healing effect on the skin.
Cream or lotion
In a cream or lotion, it can be used to moisturize and nourish the skin and is specifically beneficial for dry, irritated and dehydrated skin. It is also helpful in reducing wrinkles and stretch marks and to improve the tone of slack skin, as well as helping wounds to heal.
Vetiver oil blends well with
Although most essential oils blend well together, vetiver oil blends particularly well with benzoin, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender and ylang-ylang.
More information about Vetiver Oil
Skin Care ~ use for oily & acne/blemish prone skin ~ helps heal scars, burns & skin marks ~ dryness & cracking skin ~ promotes the growth of new tissues ~ heals discoloured skin tissue~ strengthens the body’s connective tissue, beneficial for weak, loose or simply fatigue skin ~ excellent for during & after childbirth to minimise stretch marks
Body Care ~ Aphrodisiac properties ~ enhances the libido & arouses feelings of sexual desire ~ remedy for most sexual disorders like frigidity & impotence
Digestive System ~ useful for digestive disorders ~ vomiting, gastric spasms, constipation, diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, dyspepsia & hiccups ~ recommended to calm & has sedative properties for digestive insomnia ~ helps with those who ‘digest’ their worries during the night
Immune System ~ body tonic ~ rejuvenates the body ~ gives strength & boots immune function ~ antiseptic & analgesic (pain relief) properties ~ treats & helps heal wounds, injuries, surgical recovery, headaches, migraines & insect bites
Musculoskeletal System ~ warming & increases blood flow ~ recommended for muscular aches & pains, strains & sprains, arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, gout ~ improves poor circulation
Nervous System ~ sedative properties ~ nervous irritations, emotional outbursts ~ beneficial for all types of nervous disorders ~ anxiety, anger, stress, depression, shock, fear & insomnia ~ stimulant &/or relaxing & restorative depending on the body’s needs ~ recommended for physical, mental & emotional fatigue & burnout ~ excellent remedy for the brain ~ gives the mind strength & clarity ~ helps increase concentration
Reproductive System ~ recommended for delayed & scanty menstruation, abdominal cramps & menstrual pain ~ PMT symptoms ~ regulates hormones ~ excellent during menopause ~ helps to reduce the symptoms & hot flushes
Respiratory System ~ excellent antiseptic for the respiratory system ~ recommended for the treatment of colds, flu, tonsillitis & viral infections
Emotional ~ Spiritual ~ beneficial for those that need to be brought into close contact with the earth ~ ground & centre energies ~ protects from negativity
Blends well with ~ Benzoin, Bergamot, Cananga, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Grapefruit Pink, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Verbena, May Chang, Melissa, Patchouli, Peru Balsam, Rose, Rose Geranium, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang
Safety ~ non-toxic, non-irritant & non-sensitising
