Products
Customer Area
Newsletter Signup

Secure Hosting

SafeBuy

SoloVisaMastercard
Visa ElectronJCBMaestro

Vetiver Definition and Vetiver Products

Vetiver - Grounding, protective, uplifting / earthy, smokey, dark, sweet
Name: Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanoides / Andropogon muricatus

Mother Earth's warm, embracing perfume regenerates the mind, body & spirit to reconnect us with our planet's energies

Essential information: Grounding, comforting and balancing, let the earthy energies of vetiver support, relax and stabilize you if you are in any type of emotional crisis. A valuable aid after childbirth, this incomparable oil is soothing for aches and pains, regenerative to the skin - and a secret cosmetic ingredient!

Description of aroma: Subtle and not easy to define. This earthy, heavy, musky scent is said to possess the depth of smokiness reminiscent of both myrrh and patchouli. Some compare it to a damp forest or marshy soil, others say it is comparable with tobacco or clary sage, proving once again that no two people experience a scent in exactly the same way.

Ruling planet: None.

Properties beneficial to the mind, emotions and spirit: Psychologically grounding, calming and stabilizing, yet inspiring, strengthening and uplifting, vetiver is said to connect us with the energetic life force of our planet. A source of vitality and regeneration for mind and spirit, let this oil embrace and support you if you have lost touch with the Earth or your roots, and nourish you if you have 'cold feet' are feeling overly sensitive, or have your head in the clouds.

Vetiver balances the central nervous system, is deeply relaxing and may help you cope with stress and tension, recover from emotional shock or trauma, or eliminate insomnia, as it promotes sleep. This oil may support you through the withdrawal from tranquilizers. (Always seek professional advice before stopping any medications.) It can be used to treat emotional exhaustion, anorexia, and severe nervousness; try it to settle your nerves before and exam, dental appointment or public speaking engagement.

It might be helpful for people, especially men, who are or have become insensitive, restless, or lost the connection with their inner selves. It can also be used to relieve post-partum depression due to low estrogen levels, and is useful if you feel out of balance and in need of grounding. Try this oil to cleanse and strengthen your aura - the energy field around your body - to keep healthy and free of illness. Vetiver is also considered to have aphrodisiac properties, if both people enjoy the aroma.

Of Interest: One of the thickest essential oils available, vetiver is derived from a scented grass native to India. The oil is extracted from the roots of this plant, which belongs to the same family as citronella, lemongrass and palmarosa, plus the majority of grain producing plants. It is mostly used in perfumery and cosmetics and is an excellent fixative. An interesting oil, vetiver has an unusual, hard to describe scent which can affect us differently at different times, sometimes deeply, and at others being far less tolerable. It is also known as 'the oil of tranquility', due to its calming action.

In the past this plant has been called 'moth root', due to its moth repellant properties, and Indian muslin was protected from moths and insects by sachets of powdered vetiver root. In Calcutta, where the grass is known as 'kus-kus', blinds, sunshades and awnings were made from it. In hot weather water was sprinkled on them to release the scent. In Java the root has been woven into mats and employed to thatch roofs for centuries, as it has by the natives in Haiti.

Before World War One, large quantities of dried vetiver root were exported by Java to Europe for distillation. Due to overcrowded shipping lanes Java started local distillation of the plant material, referred to locally as 'akar wangi'. The popular European perfume, 'Mousseline des Indes', contained vetiver, benzoin, sandalwood, rose and thyme.

Harvesting is quite a task. 1,000lbs of soil needs to be turned over to collect 1lb of root material, which must then be dried, cleaned and soaked in water. The oil is difficult to separate from the water, so oil yield is low. About 200lbs of root yields 1lb of oil. The older the root, the better quality of oil, which improves with age, like wine. The world's overall production of vetiver oil is between 18 - 20 tons annually. Its cost limits its use, so a synthetic substitute, vetiverylacetate, is often employed.

Properties beneficial to the physical body: An interesting aspect of vetiver is that its effect resembles that of the female hormone, estrogen, making it a useful oil for balancing hormones during menopause, and for recovery after pregnancy. It has a tonic effect on the reproductive system, helps revitalize the body by fortifying the red blood corpuscles, and generally restores the body back to optimum health. Its anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant properties may relieve arthritis, rheumatism and general aches and pains.

Vetiver is believed to have a regenerative effect on the deeper layers of the skin, beneficial to aging skins and stretch marks. Its sebum balancing qualities may improve both dry and oily complexions, plus acne. Apparently this oil is, or was, a secret ingredient for breast enlargement lotions, along with geranium and ylang ylang.

Scentsual blending suggestions: Vetiver is generally considered more pleasing in dilution, as it does tend to dominate aromatic creations. However, it does bestow an interesting earthy note to your blends and you can experiment with numerous oils, including sandalwood, orange, lemon, rosewood, verbena, violet, ylang ylang, rose, neroli, cardemon, tonka bean, tuberose, jasmine, lavender, benzoin, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, grapefruit and patchouli.

Alternative suggestions for use: This oil is reputed to be an effective moth repellent for clothes.

Essential safety precautions: Generally considered a safe oil. Use with caution during pregnancy.

Do not use essential oils undiluted or take internally without the guidance of a qualified practitioner. The information contained here is for general interest and is not intended to replace medical diagnosis or treatment.
showing items 1 to 1 from a total of 1
Grounding, protective, uplifting / earthy, smokey, dark, sweet

Search for other products: Holisticshop own brand oils (36), Vetiver (1)

New, permanent reduction in price
£3.22

In stock, order by 3pm weekdays, despatch same day