Vetiver essential oil – 5 reliable ways to use it in aromatherapy

Vetiver essential oil is a popular remedy in aromatherapy, mainly due to its unique properties. It alleviates symptoms of stress, repels insects and helps prevent more severe skin conditions. Furthermore, it is an excellent ingredient in many perfumes, thanks to its tropical scent, which helps to ground frazzled thoughts and nerves. What is vetiver oil used for, and what applications do its distinctive characteristics offer?

Vetiver essential oil – what is it?

Vetiver is a perennial plant that grows naturally in the fertile regions of Sri Lanka, Africa and Asia. Vetiver roots are renowned for their structure, which is unique on a global scale. They can reach depths of up to 3 metres. According to local legends in Sri Lanka, consuming the plant, as well as the oil extracted from it, enabled one to draw upon the primordial ‘life force’ of our planet.

The dried root is used to extract the essential oil via the traditional method of steam distillation. The resulting vetiver oil is used as a fragrance, as well as in various beauty and health rituals. Hot steam acts as the carrier during oil extraction, separating the organic components of vetiver and revealing a pure, highly concentrated oil with an unassuming, dark brown colour.

Vetiver oil – what does it smell like?

Vetiver oil is characterised by a heavy, earthy aroma, reminiscent of the woody notes typical of the tropics. In the past, the scent of vetiver was considered a typically masculine fragrance; nowadays, however, it is also seen as an important note in women’s and unisex fragrances. With a scent reminiscent of sandalwood, palo santo and patchouli, it blends well with other exotic essential oils such as geranium, cinnamon and bergamot.

The oil’s unique olfactory properties enable it to effectively repel insects, including mosquitoes and moths. For these reasons, it is widely used in perfumes and personal care products. It is worth noting that there is no synthetic version of this oil available on the perfumery market, as its complex aromatic profile is the result of an extraordinary natural synergy of over 100 different components, which cannot be produced chemically.

Vetiver Oil – what defines its beneficial properties?

Vetiver oil contains a multitude of substances with antioxidant properties. These include ingredients such as:

• Furfural
• Wetiwazulene
• Palmitic acid
• Benzoic acid
• Wetiron
• Khusimol
• Vetivon A and B

Vetiver essential oil is readily soluble in alcohols and mixes easily with carrier oils. It is not soluble in water. For this reason, it is said to possess the following properties:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiseptic
• Soothing
• Relaxing
• Libido-enhancing
• Antioxidant

Vetiver Oil – main health benefits

Due to its interesting composition, vetiver essential oil is used in aromatherapy, massage and for general well-being. In fact, there are studies confirming its effectiveness in these practices. These include:

• Helps reduce mental fatigue –thanks to its relaxing effect, it reduces stress and improves alertness. The oil’s refreshing properties stimulate the brain’s electrical activity and help improve mental performance
• Reduces stress and anxiety –the anti-anxiety effects of vetiver oil are well known in traditional medicine. The scientific community confirms the oil’s positive effects, based on studies conducted on rats, which, when exposed to the aroma of vetiver oil, appeared more relaxed after a session lasting several minutes
• Combats free radicals –due to its high content of antioxidants, the oil is an effective way of mitigating the negative effects of free radicals. Their heightened activity is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases and premature ageing
• It repels insects –vetiver oil is one of the most popular natural repellents. Due to its composition, it is highly toxic to species such as mosquitoes, moths, aphids and ticks.

Vetiver Essential Oil – how to use it correctly?

Depending on the effect you wish to achieve through the properties of vetiver essential oil, it can be used in:

• Home massages –the oil can be applied to the wrists, neck, chest or other areas of the body affected by, for example, inflammation. It should be diluted in a carrier oil before use. Just one or two drops mixed with 10 millilitres of carrier oil (e.g. jojoba) is sufficient
• Aromatherapy –diffusing vetiver essential oil is a great way to enjoy its unique aroma and appreciate the calming and relaxing benefits of aromatherapy. When used in a diffuser, it can also help to mask unwanted odours and deodorise a room. Simply add 2 to 10 drops of the oil to a diffuser filled with water, then use it for no longer than 30 minutes, up to twice a day
• A relaxing bath – vetiver essentialoilis suitable for use in the bath at home. The steam rising from the hot water carries the oil’s aroma into the air, just like a diffuser or nebuliser. Before using it in the bath, dilute the oil in your personal care products, such as shampoo or shower gel
• Keeping your home clean –another way to enjoy the benefits of vetiver essential oil is to incorporate it into your household cleaning routine. The oil can be added to your own natural cleaning mixtures, such as those based on vinegar. It will create a pleasant scent which, thanks to its additional antiseptic properties, will ensure that every room becomes a welcoming, clean and toxin-free space.

Vetiver oil in cosmetics – what you need to know?

Vetiver essential oil is a popular ingredient in many cosmetic products. It also works well as an ingredient in homemade skincare creams. When applied in small amounts to the skin, it tightens the skin, reducing existing wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming.

When mixed with a carrier oil, vetiver can also be applied in small amounts to the face as part of an evening regeneration routine, as it is during the night that our skin begins an intensive regeneration process. Thanks to its ability to heal scars and restore skin firmness, vetiver oil is an interesting option for those struggling with unsightly post-operative scars.

Diffusing the oil or using it in hair, skin or bath care products can also help maintain a general sense of well-being throughout the day. It promotes a balanced and relaxed state, which is particularly beneficial after a tiring day. When combined with a general personal hygiene routine incorporating skincare products, vetiver essential oil significantly helps to improve your sense of well-being.

Vetiver essential oil – how to choose?

When considering purchasing vetiver essential oil, it is important to ensure that the product is entirely natural. It should not contain any synthetic substances or fragrance additives. Natural, organic essential oil can be used in a diffuser, in the bath or for skincare.

To ensure that all the beneficial properties of vetiver oil are fully realised, it is worth looking for manufacturers who opt for natural production without additives, thereby offering high-quality products.

‘Antioxidant potential of the root of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash’ – S. Luqman et al., scientific journal *Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics*, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, 2009.

“Vetiver Essential Oil in Cosmetics: What Is New?” – P. Burger, scientific journal *Medicines*, MDPI, 2017.

“In Vitro Characterisation and Mosquito (Aedes aegypti) Repellent Activity of Essential-Oil-Loaded Nanoemulsions” – O. Nuchuchua et al., scientific journal *AAPS PharmSciTech*, Springer, 2009.

“Modification of sleep-waking and electroencephalogram induced by vetiver essential oil inhalation” – D. Cheaha et al., scientific journal *Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology*, Sukasiree, 2016.

“Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Essential Oil Extracted by Carbon Dioxide-Expanded Ethanol” – A. David et al., scientific journal *Molecules*, MDPI, 2019.

“Different Cytotoxic Effects of Vetiver Oil on Three Types of Cancer Cells, Mainly Targeting CNR2 in TNBC” – M. Hanifa et al., the scientific journal *Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention*, APOCP, 2022.

“Microbes at work in perfumery: the microbial community of vetiver root and its involvement in essential oil biogenesis” – P. Alifano, L. Del Giudice, A. Tala, M. De Stefano, M. E. Maffei, scientific journal *Flavour and Fragrance Journal*, John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

“Essential oils and their constituents XXXIV. Isolation of khusenic acid and isokhusenic acid from vetiver oil and some observations concerning their structures” – I. C. Nigam, H. Komae, scientific journal *Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences*, John Wiley & Sons, 1967.

“Insect repellents from vetiver oil: I. zizanal and epizizanal” – S. C. Jain, S. Nowicki, T. Eisner, J. Meinwald, *Tetrahedron Letters*, Elsevier, 1982.