Description
Vetiver oil has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years thanks to its uplifting, healing, and protective properties. The oil comes from the roots of a perennial bunchgrass that is closely related to sorghum. The strong antioxidant properties of vetiver can have a dramatic effect on the skin by slowing the signs of aging, detoxifying, and promoting a healthy glow. Also heals marks and blemishes to improve the complexion. Soothes anxiety and nervousness, restores good quality sleep, and balances out hormones naturally. Can be used as a natural aphrodisiac.
• Woodsy, earthy scent.
• Reduces stress and tension.
• Soothes muscle aches and cramping.
INGREDIENTS
Vetiveria Zizanoides essential oil extracted by steam distilation 100%
HOW TO USE
Essential oils have the natural ability to heal, soothe, and stimulate. With antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, essential oils have a wide variety of uses.
Sniff essential oils right from the bottle for an instant pick-me-up, to relive anxiety, or to induce relaxation. Add to carrier oil, such as jojoba, and use in a soothing massage. Place a few drops in diffuser to eliminate household odors. Add to cleaning products for more antibacterial and antimicrobial power. During cold and flu season, diffuse daily to stimulate immunity. Mix with carrier oil and apply to the skin to heal wounds. Add a drop or two to your face serum and apply daily to and protect skin against the signs of aging.
Before applying to skin, do a patch test.
How to patch test – Wash, clean, and dry the area on your upper arm near the crook of your elbow. Apply small amount of essential oil and cover with a bandage. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours, then remove and check for irritation. If skin looks clear and there is no reaction after the allotted test time, the oil is presumably safe to use. If you feel irritation at any time duringthe test, remove bandage and wash area with soap and water.
Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver essential oil — or vetiveria zizanioides — is sometimes also known as Khus oil. There are all sorts of adjectives to describe this essential oil and they all paint a picture of comfort and familiarity: woodsy, sweet, earthy, calming, grounded, smoky, and warm.
Well, here, we are not just describing vetiver essential oil’s distinctive scent. But, we are also going to explore the oil further and learn about its extraction, blending, and many marvelous benefits.
What is Vetiver Essential Oil Made Of?
Vetiver essential oil comes from a 5ft tall grass-like plant that is native to India. It is in the same family class as other grass-like plants that are used for essential oils. An example of this is lemongrass.
To be precise, vetiver essential oil is extracted from the roots of the vetiver plant. Very interestingly, the roots of the plant are unique in the way they grow. The roots grow deep into the ground and tangle with each other. Courtesy of the unique structure, the plant is very sturdy and hardy. In fact, it can even last for up to fifty years.
Historically, the oil is regularly used in Ayurveda practice for many centuries. It is also a common sight in many other cultures such as Chinese culture. On top of that, before the invention of air conditioners, vetiver roots were used to cool the house. People would hang it right above the doors so the hot air would pass through the roots.
Besides that, the roots were also commonly used to make floor mats. This is because they not only bring a cooling effect but also act as an insect repellent.
How is Vetiver Essential Oil Extracted?
As with most essential oils, vetiver essential oil is extracted via steam distillation. Here, the process involves separating the harvested roots or rhizomes. Then, they are thoroughly washed and cut to accelerate drying time. This should take a couple of days. Next, the roots undergo steam distillation to extract the oil. Once a distinct layer of highly-concentrated oil is formed, the oil is skimmed off and filtered.
Just like sandalwood, vetiver essential oil is left to age for at least several months. This will help its scent to be stronger and fuller.
The resulting vetiver essential oil is thick and somewhere between golden-brown to brown in color. It should also have a woodsy and smoky aroma.
Benefits of Vetiver Essential Oil
1) Has excellent anti-inflammatory properties
Vetiver essential oil is popularly known for its cooling effects. So, it is great in helping to calm down and assuage inflammation. This can be an inflammation of the body’s systems such as inflammation of the nervous system. Or, it can be inflammation caused by things like sunstroke and sunburn.
To use vetiver essential oil to relieve inflammation, blend the essential oil with a carrier oil. Coconut oil will work perfectly here. Just a couple of drops of each are enough here. Then, massage the mixture deep into the affected areas and the surrounding areas.
2) Aids in improving breathing pattern
Vetiver essential oil can potentially help you to breathe better while asleep. A 2010 study in Chemical Senses showed that the essential oil helped to decrease inhalation and increase exhalation.
What this suggests is that the essential oil can help to manipulate respiration in sleep. This can take care of problems such as snoring.
3) Helps to manage anxiety
Besides that, vetiver essential oil is also known for its calming effect on the mind and is often used to address anxiety, stress, and depression. In ayurvedic, the essential oil is believed to work on all the 7 chakras — vortexes of energy that are connected to various organs and glands — of the body.
But, if you want a scientific study, well, this 2015 animal study monitored rats that were exposed to vetiver essential oil. They found that the rats appeared to be much more relaxed after exposure to the essential oil.
So, if you need to re-center yourself, add a few drops of the vetiver essential oil to a diffuser. Alternatively, dab a drop or two of the oil on your wrists just like a perfume.
4) Heals scars and blemishes
Did you know that vetiver essential oil is a cicatrisant? Essentially, this means that it is skin and wound-healing. So, it helps to heal scars by promoting the regeneration of cells, tissues, and skin.
This is why you can use the essential oil to reinvigorate your complexion and remove things like dark spots or scars from acne and pox. Besides that, this multi-faceted essential oil also diminishes visible signs of aging so it works perfectly as an anti-aging oil.
Additionally, the essential oil helps to treat or diminish stretch marks, acne, blemishes, cracks, and other skin disorder. Not to forget, it can be used as a home treatment for burns, too.
To experience the outstanding effects of vetiver essential oil on your skin, add a few drops of the oil to your cleanser, body soap, skincare, or lotion.
5) A great antiseptic
Vetiver essential oil has excellent antiseptic properties. Hence, it can be used to kill bacteria as well as to prevent infections. In fact, it has been shown that just a slight amount of concentrated vetiver essential oil is required to prevent infections.
So, if you have a wound or a cut, add a drop or two of the essential oil to the area. Alternatively, you can always add a few drops of the essential oil to your bath water as a preventative measure.
6) High in antioxidants
Vetiver essential oil has a very high level of antioxidants — substances that help to prevent cellular damage. So, the oil can help with things like boosting the immune system.
Just add a few drops of the essential oil to your trusty diffuser to cover your whole house. Alternatively, just inhale it from the bottle.
If you are capitalizing on its high level of antioxidants to decrease the signs of aging, just add a drop or two of the essential oil to your serum or moisturizer. Alternatively, you can also just use the oil on its own.
Mixing Vetiver Essential Oil with Other Essential Oils
Generally, vetiver essential oil blends well with most essential oils. But, it mixes particularly well with bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lemon, nutmeg, tangerine, and ylang-ylang essential oils.
Other Good-to-Know Information
While vetiver essential oil is known to be non-toxic, some people may be allergic to it. So, as usual, start with a patch test. Apply a small amount to the inside of your arm and cover it with a bandage. If you do not experience any reaction or irritation after 24 hours, the essential oils should be suitable for you.
Additionally, keep in mind that vetiver essential oil is very concentrated and potent. A little goes a long way.
Besides that, pregnant women are discouraged from using this essential oil as it could potentially induce a miscarriage. Always check with a medical professional first.
Is Vetiver Essential Oil Right for You?
If you are looking for a versatile and flexible essential oil, then vetiver essential oil is absolutely right for you.