Vetiver Essential Oil - Therapeutic uses

Vetiver and Vetiver Oil

Known botanically as Vetiveria zizanioides (Poaceae: Graminaceae - sweet grass family), vetiver is found in northern India, Indonesia, Reunion, Haiti, Brazil, Angola and China. The grass grows tall and is tufted. It has long narrow aromatic leaves and straight stems. Many people consider vetiver oil coming from Reunion to be the best (Wilson). In the olden days, vetiver was known as moth root because of its moth repellent property.

Vetiver essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the roots of this tropical grass. It is interesting to note that about 200 pounds of root material is needed to extract 1 pound of oil (Fischer-Rizzi, 1991). The roots are generally long, strong and hard and hence the grass is often planted for fighting soil erosion. Collecting the roots is a difficult task as the ground has to be totally dug up to get them. To prepare the oil, the roots are dried, cleaned, soaked in water and steam distilled. A resinous dark reddish brown oil with a rare and unique fragrance separates.

The fragrance of vetiver is musty, heavy, spicy, deep, woody and full. It is like the smell of a damp forest floor. The fragrance in itself generates vital energy. On the psychological side, the oil is said to be useful for grounding, regenerating and strengthening (Fischer-Rizzi, 1991). It is also said to be an aphrodisiac. As the oil is extracted from the roots, vetiver oil is believed to reestablish a person’s connection to Mother Earth, nature and the universe by creating a sense of belonging. The oil contains over 300 chemicals - mainly bi- and tri-cyclic sesquiterpene alcohols (50%) and ketones. More specifically, the oil is made up of sesquiterpenes, α-vetivone , β-vetimone and khusimol (Oyen and Dung, 1999).

Therapeutic Properties

Vetiver oil has many therapeutic properties and is often used to treat extreme nervousness, stress, disconnectedness, exhaustion, anorexia and postpartum depression. Body massage with vetiver oil can provide relief from muscular aches, pains, rheumatism, sprains and strains. Vetiver oil is very viscous in nature and hence the bottle containing the oil is warmed in a warm water bath if it has to be measured in drops for use in bath oil. It is a natural tranquilizer and hence it can calm a nervous person and induce a restful sleep. Due to its tranquilizing properties, it can also be used to treat sexual dysfunctions caused by nerves or stress. Vetiver oil has been used to treat women in menopause. Its effect mimics the effect of estrogen (Fischer-Rizzi, 1991).

Vetiver essential oil has been found to be very good for the skin and is used to treat aging, tired and irritated skin. It regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands and helps to have a clear skin that is neither too oily nor too dry. It increases the production of red blood cells thereby improving circulation and enhancing immunity. It can regenerate the deeper layers of skin and help fight the aging process. It is also effective in the treatment of stretch marks due to pregnancy. Vetiver oil is also used in the making of breast enlargement lotions.

Contraindications

Vetiver oil should not be used by babies and pregnant women.

References

Oyen, L.P.A. and Dung, N. X. (1999). PROSEA : Plant Resources of South-East Asia 19, Essential-oil Plants. Yayasan Obor Publishers, Indonesia

Fischer-Rizzi, S. (1991). Complete aromatherapy handbook: essential oils for radiant health. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 1991

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