Vetiver Oil: The Soothing Grass Oil

Vetiver oil is also known as khus oil and is a lesser-known plant oil offering a heavy, earthy fragrance that is reminiscent of patchouli, but with a touch of lemon. This oil is believed to give a grounding, calming and stabilizing result, and provides a range of essential oil uses and benefits.

The original name for vetiver oil is Chrysopogon zizanicides and is a perennial grass that belongs to the Poaceae family and native to India. This plant is known as khus in Western and Northern India. The name is derived from a Tamil word that means “hatched up” and grows up to 4.9 feet tall with tall stems and long, thin, rigid leaves.

The roots have particularly been used since ancient times. It is extensively utilized in perfumery for the body, room fresheners and coolers, as well as soaps, cosmetics and oils. It can also be a flavoring agent in beverages, sorbets and other foodstuffs.

Besides having an aromatic effect on the mind for grounding, calming and balancing, other uses are as antiseptic, antispasmodic, immune stimulating, warming and sedative to the nervous system. It also stimulates the circulatory system.

Benefits of vetiver oil are: Vetiver Oil: The Soothing Grass Oil Image
➢ Helps enhance libido and awaken sexual desire
➢ Helps speed up eradication of scars and other skin marks
➢ Helps provide relief from all types of inflammation
➢ Assists in rejuvenating the body and helps boost immunity
➢ Helps provide relief to insomnia patients
➢ Has antiseptic properties
➢ Helps improve and maintain good nerve health
➢ Helps heal wounds by promoting growth of new tissues

Some of the benefits of those suffering from insomnia, anxiety, absentmindedness, acne, arthritis, ADHD, depression, joint stiffness, menstrual cramps, mental fatigue, sore feet, tendonitis and vitiligo are also found in the use of vetiver oil.

The essential oils are extremely potent, so it is advised it should be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Start with 1 drop to 1 to 3 teaspoons of carrier oil. Use caution when increasing the essential oil. The oil works in vapor therapy and can address nervous complaints, dispel anger and irritability and relieve insomnia this way. Blend it in a massage oil or diluted in the bath. It can assist with mental and physical exhaustion, nervous complaints, rheumatism and arthritic pain and skin healing, when used this way. It can also be used in a cream or lotion in moisturizing and nourishing skin. It will benefit dry, irritated and dehydrated skin and helps to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks, but NOT recommended to be taken internally.

Vetiver oil is considered non-irritating, non-sensitizing and non-toxic, and therefore is generally safe. Pregnant women should not take the oil and be sure to use extreme caution and consult a doctor before using it on children. Conduct a sensitivity patch test on the skin, prior to use.

Any possible side effects of vetiver oil are not known, according WebMD. However, it is unsafe for breastfeeding women to take vetiver, and might cause a miscarriage for pregnant women.

–Dr Fredda Branyon