Vetiveria zizaniodes, Root, Steam distilled, from Haiti

Aroma: Vetiver has an earthy, woody, herbaceous, spicy almost smoky scent characteristic of most essential oils derived from roots in the earth. It has a rich, sweetly satisfying note that is both warm and masculine.

History: Vetiver essential oil is derived from the complex white root system of a grass used in India and Sri Lanka for the creation of woven matting. In India and Sri Lanka, Vetiver essential oil is known as the “oil of tranquility”. This is directly applicable to its common applications as a relaxing and comforting oil.

Colour: Dark Brown

Consistency: Heavy & Viscous

Note: Base

Strength of Aroma: Strong

Common Uses: Deeply relaxing and comforting, it is also used as a base note in perfumery and in aromatherapy applications.

Possible Uses: Acne, arthritis, cuts, depression, exhaustion, insomnia, muscular aches, oily skin, rheumatism, sores, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: Benzoic acid, vetiverol, furfurol, a-vetivone, B-vetivone, vetivene, vetivenyl vetivenate. [E. Guenther, The Essential Oils Vol. 4 (New York: Van Nostrand Company INC, 1990), 178-181, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 205.]

Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 211.]

Cautions: None known

Photo thanks to treesftf, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons