In the world of essential oils and aromatherapy, there is one oil that has piqued my interest more than others – which is saying a lot given how much I love plants. My endless curiosity leads me to learn more, but is also a symptom of a busy brain! When it comes to slowing the mind, in my experience, there is no better essential oil than Vetiver.
Strong Roots
Vetiver comes from the roots of a grass that is native to countries around the Indian Ocean. The grass itself grows to about three feet in height. But it’s the roots we look to for Vetiver’s profound effects, and they grow about nine feet deep to where the earth is cooler. This grass is well known for its deep roots and is often used to help prevent erosion, to help maintain edges of rice paddies, and can even help keep water sources clean when there’s flooding. This purifying effect comes from the roots that individually are quite thin, but grow in vast clusters that act as a filter. All of these factors translate to many of the essential oil’s uses.
Vetiver's Chemical Constituents & Scent Profile
First, let’s look at some of the botanical details and the chemical composition of Vetiver essential oil. Vetiver is in the Poaceae family, which includes lemongrass, wild rice, palmarosa, rye, wheat, and more. As mentioned, the essential oil is sourced from steam distilling the roots, resulting in an amber colored, viscous liquid that is earthy, warm, and at times smokey in aroma.
Vetiver’s primary constituents are β-VETIVENE, KHUSIMOL, and VETIVENOL. The first two are in the sesquiterpene aromatic family, the latter is in the sesquiterpenol family. These two categories of constituents offer wonderful effects such as mild analgesic effects, relief from itching, and even the ability to support tissue decongestion. Many studies are available through platforms like Pubmed.com and Google Scholar. With such supportive constituents, Vetiver’s unique combination offers an oil that can calm, cool, and soothe.
Supporting the earth, supporting you!
Some of the emotionally supportive uses of Vetiver bring us back to the plant, how it supports the natural world, and the parts of the plant used for extracting the essential oil. Vetiver is a wonderful essential oil for times of an over-active mind as it can help ground you, much like its deep roots keeping the earth below the plant in place and intact. One of my favorite uses for this oil, keeping this benefit in mind, is when I wake in the middle of the night and my mind starts racing. I keep a bottle by the bed to inhale directly, or I will place a drop in my palm for a palm inhalation.
Palm inhalation instructions: place a drop of essential oil in the palm and rub the hands together; cup the hands and bring them toward the nose; close the eyes and breathe in deeply through the nose 3-5 times.
Vetiver is also considered constitutionally cooling, meaning it has been shown to pacify heat. In India they make ‘cooling mats’ from the roots. They hang these roots during the hot dry season, spraying them with water so when the wind blows it carries the cooling, calming elements in the air, pacifying some of the irritating elements of this type of weather.
Blending with Vetiver Essential Oil
When blending oils for aromatic enjoyment, Vetiver makes a wonderful base oil. Typically, an aromatic blend will consist of a base note, heart note, and top note for ideal balance. The top note often intrigues, the base note holds the top note from dissipating too quickly, and the heart note melds them. Due to the deep and earthy aromatics, and its viscosity, Vetiver is a commonly used tether, holding the aromatics of the blend together.
Vetiver DIY aromatic blend:
1 drop Vetiver (base note), 3 drops Lavender (heart note), and 7 drops Bergamot (top note); add oils to a 1oz blending bottle and top with Sweet Almond or Jojoba virgin plant oil for a delightfully uplifting and yet grounding combination.
Vetiver Essential Oil for Skincare
Vetiver’s soothing abilities apply to skincare as well. It can be calming for the skin, supporting a healthy, nourished complexion. It is included in Pranarōm’s Plant Beautiful Collection for this reason. The Glow Treatment Moisture Oilhelps to encourage a healthy glow in devitalized, stressed skin. It also works wonderfully in a blend for irritated and/or itchy skin thanks to its calming, anti-pruritic effects.
DIY Skin Soothing Blend:
1 drop Vetiver, 3 drops Lavender, 2 drops German Chamomile or Blue Tansy; add oils to a 1 oz blending bottle and top with Calendula virgin plant oil for relief and comfort.
Though this article does not give an exhaustive list of the wonders and uses of Vetiver essential oil, it gives you a great place to start. Dive into this versatile and viscous essential oil next time you’re curious and looking to experiment with aromatherapy.
Article by: Liza Docken, Pranarom US National Educator
