Vetiver or Khus Khus is a long, fibrous, aromatic roots of an Indian grass which is used for making hangings and screens and yielding oil used in perfumery.
Vetiver oil is known for its calming, stabilizing and grounding properties.
In India, popularly the grass part is known as “khus-khus.”
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What Is Vetiver Oil?
What Is Vetiver Oil
The vetiver essential oil is obtained from the roots through steam distillation. Its scent is sweet, earthy, woody and it has a strong base. The oil is soothing and calming in nature and can be used for many purposes like acne, oily skin, stress to name a few.
You can also use it for emotional, spiritual and aromatic purposes. However, the fragrance of the oil is very strong and therefore, it should be blended with other oils before application.
But, overall it is one of the best essential oils filled with benefits. You would not regret using it if followed the directions properly. So, keep reading till the end to know all about this wonderful essential oil and how to use it to achieve the maximum benefits.
Health Benefits Of Using Vetiver Oil
There are various health benefits of using the Vetiver Essential Oil. They can be credited to its wonderful properties. It serves as an antiseptic, calmative, stimulant and vulnerary substance.
This essential oil is also very popular in aromatherapy and has many healing properties. Now I am going to tell you its health benefits in greater detail.
How does it help with the following problems :
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
First of all, let’s talk about its anti-inflammatory properties. The soothing, calming, and cooling effects of this essential oil calms and pacifies all kinds of inflammation. It is specifically good at providing relief from inflammation in both the circulatory and nervous system.
It is also known to be an appropriate treatment for burning caused by sunstroke. And, also helps with dehydration.
You can also use Almond oil, as it also has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Skin Scars
Now, for any scars, you might have on your skin. Vetiver oil consists of substances that speed up the eradication or helps to vanish from scars and any other marks from the skin.
It also nurtures the growth of new tissues in the affected places by replacing the dead and discolored tissues and helps achieve a uniform look of the skin.
This is also beneficial in treating post delivery stretch marks, fat cracks, spots left by chicken pox, and skin burns.
3. Antiseptic Properties
In warm and humid countries where microbes and bacteria grow very fast due to the favorable hot and sticky climates found in regions of such countries. It becomes easier for your wounds to get sepsis.
But, no need to worry. In such conditions, vetiver oil comes to your rescue. This oil efficiently stops the growth of that bacteria causing sepsis and terminates it.
4. Tonic
Vetiver oil also acts as a stimulant to every system present in the body. Therefore, in a nutshell, it keeps the metabolic system in order, revitalizes the body, gives strength and improves immune function.
5. Nervine
Vetiver oil takes care of the nerves and preserves their good health. It also heals the harm done to your nerve fiber by trauma, fear, and tension. Furthermore, it helps get rid of nervous dysfunctions, distress, epileptic and hysteric attacks, neurotic disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, and lack of control over arms or legs.
6. Sedative
Vetiver oil is also well known as a sedative. It helps with mental fatigue, depression, and anger by providing them relief. It even benefits patients that suffer from insomnia by calming them and helping them sleep without any intake of medicines.
7. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
It is a problem commonly associated with children. It can also be found in some adults. ADHD begins before the age of seven and often lasts throughout a person’s lifetime.
It occurs you are disproportionately distracted, hyperactive and impulsive for over six months in a way that greatly affects your relationships or your child’s school work.
If you or your child suffers from this condition, then vetiver oil can help with your condition.
Vetiver helps people suffering from ADHD because it is calming and soothing essential oil. It has a strong scent which is grounding, stress-relieving and has nervous tension-reducing properties.
This oil helps stabilize your mood and also aids in sleeping if sleep difficulty is one of your ADHD symptoms.
However, the side effects of using it in treating ADHD are still not known. So, before using it, I would highly recommend that you consult your doctor first.
People who are suffering from ADHD can also use other Essential Oil for ADHD to treat its symptoms.
To utilize these benefits, the vetiver essential oil can be used in various ways. It can be applied topically when diluted with an appropriate carrier, directly inhaled, diffused, or used as an additive.
The oil mixes well with various essential oils like rose, lemongrass, grapefruit, sandalwood, ginger, jasmine, lavender, and ylang-ylang.
How To Use The Oil?
Now, for the procedure part. Follow the directions carefully.
Vetiver essential oil has a very strong base, and therefore, it should be used in a very little quantity. A small amount of the oil goes a long way in treating ailments.
There are many different ways in which you can use the oil depending on the condition you want to treat. The following paragraph will show you the ways.
For treating:
1. Chronic Stress
Mix Vetiver oil with Myrrh oil in the ratio 1:1 and massage behind your knees right after you take a shower in the morning. Vetiver and Myrrh, both the oils are fairly thick and will process gradually throughout the day. Re-massage the mixture behind your knees after 3 or 4 hours if needed.
2. Anxiety Attack
Blend 3 drops of Vetiver oil, 2 drops each Orange and Ylang Ylang oils with 1 drop Patchouli essential oil in 28 ml carrier oil such as grapeseed oil. Massage into the back of your neck and the bones behind your ears when your nervousness starts to ascend.
3. Obsessive Over Thinking
Blend 4 drops of Sandalwood oil and 2 drops of Vetiver oil in the 28ml appropriate carrier oil. Massage into the back of your neck and the bones behind your ears.
4. Insomnia Blend
Blend 6 drops of Sandalwood oil, 2 drops each Orange and Ylang Ylang oils, 1 drop each Vetiver and Lavender oils in the 28ml appropriate carrier oil. Massage onto your feet before sleeping at night.
5. Depression Blend
Blend 2 drops each of Geranium and Vetiver oil with 1 drop Rose essential oil in the 28ml appropriate carrier oil. Gently massage into the back of your neck and the region behind your ears several times a day.
6. Injury
Blend 4 drops of Vetiver oil, 3 drops of Lavender oil and 2 drops oil Bergamot of in 28ml appropriate carrier oil. Gently massage onto the affected area.
7. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)
Blend 4 drops of Helichrysum oil, 3 drops of White Fir oil, and 2 drops of Vetiver oil in 28ml appropriate carrier oil. Gently massage your jaw muscles morning and night.
8. Arthritis
Blend 4 drops of Frankincense oil, 3 drops of Marjoram oil, and 2 drops each of Rosemary and Vetiver oil in the 28ml appropriate carrier oil. Gently massage onto the affected area.
9. Boosting Immunity
Add 1–2 drops to tea or hot drinks you consume during winter time to help strengthen your immunity.
It can also be used for cleansing and aromatic purposes.
10. Cleansing
Its antiseptic properties help gently cleanse the face. Test for sensitivity by using a small amount and if doesn’t burn on your skin, then mix one drop in 3 drops of coconut oil and apply after washing your face and patting it dry.
11. Perfume
Blend the drops of vetiver oil with a floral aroma like sandalwood or rosemary, or even a citrus-like Bergamot. You can blend it with any aroma that you prefer and then dab it on your wrists or neck.
12. Aromatherapy
The application of essential oils for curative, spiritual, psychological and ceremonial purposes go long back in the history. The Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans people used them for cosmetics, perfumes and drugs purposes.
Aromatherapy is the tradition of applying the natural essential oils obtained from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological, spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health and comfort.
Everyone loves a “me-time.” With a hectic and fast life we all live, aromatherapy is the best solution for relaxation. It helps to calm oneself emotionally, spiritually as well physically.
Vetiver is the best essential oil to achieve the state of serenity. It helps in de-stressing, relaxing and attaining calmness. You can also use vetiver oil for skin care and hair mask usage.
As mentioned above, vetiver oil should be used in a very small quantity because of its strong base. It should also be blended with other essential oils.
Here are some of the methods of using vetiver oil for aromatherapy.
1. Maintaining Body Oil
For using it as a body moisturizer and maintaining the balance of body oil on your skin, use three teaspoons of appropriate carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of vetiver essential oil. It is always best that you patch test first for skin sensitivity before you apply all over your body.
For Hard Skin
Use 3 drops of lavender oil, 3 drops of palmarosa oil and 1 drop of vetiver oil.
For Soft Skin
Use 3 drops of lemon, 10 drops of jasmine oil and 1 drop of vetiver oil.
2. Hair Mask
Warm 3 teaspoons of oil (either olive or jojoba) and mix 7 to 8 drops of vetiver essential oil. Massage into your hair from the ends up. Cover your hair in a towel or if you do not want the oil to get in your towel, use a plastic wrap first to cover your hair, and then use a towel. Leave for 1 hour, or overnight, and then wash your hair with lukewarm water as you would normally with shampoo and conditioner.
You can also blend 2 drops of rosemary oil, 2 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of orange oil, and 2 drops of vetiver oil and use the mixture as a hair mask.
3. Room Freshener
In a traditional oil furnace with a candle or a diffuser, add 25 drops of vetiver essential oil and enjoy the homemade freshener.
You can also mix 8 drops of marjoram oil, 8 drops of mandarin oil, 7 drops of spearmint oil, and 2 drops of vetiver oil and then pour down the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it in the room.
Another solution for a room freshener is to add 10 drops of petitgrain oil, 6 drops of cedarwood Virginian oil, 6 drops of Peru balsam, and 3 drops of vetiver oil and spray it in the room.
4. Spiritual, Psychological And Emotional Cleansing
For some me-time and relaxation, use 8 drops of rosewood oil, 8 drops of bergamot oil, 4 drops of ylang-ylang oil, 4 drops of cinnamon oil, and 1 drop of vetiver oil.
You can also use 10 drops of orange oil, 8 drops of rose geranium, 5 drops of cedarwood Himalayan oil, and 2 drops of vetiver oil.
For having a sound sleep, use 9 drops of lavender oil, 8 drops of lime oil, 6 drops of marjoram, and 2 drops of vetiver oil.
5. Bath
It is better that you do not add too many essential oils for a shower because they are difficult to disperse and can also cause skin irritation when mixed with the warm water. So, it is better to add only 4 to 6 drops of essential oils in total, and mix is with bath salts, coconut milk and the like.
You can use the mixture of 3 drops of frankincense oil and 1 drop of vetiver oil and use the mixture with salts or milk for your bath.
Availability
If the vetiver oil or any other essential oils to be used with the vetiver oil mentioned here is not available where you live, do not worry. You can always buy them online. Before buying, check for contamination and always buy from a genuine and authentic seller.
Dosage
For internal purposes, if you ever happen to use vetiver oil, know that the appropriate dose of vetiver essential oil depends on several factors such as your age, health, and several other conditions you may be going through.
At this time, there is not enough scientific information found to determine an appropriate amount of vetiver essential oil that is safe for you.
Always keep in mind that these natural products are not always necessarily safe for internal consumption and dosages for consuming is, therefore, very important.
Be sure that you read and follow all the relevant directions properly which are mentioned on the product labels, and you can also consult your pharmacist or doctor or any other healthcare professional that you trust before buying and using.
Although, I would you advise sticking with an only external application of the oil.
In this article, only external uses of vetiver oil are mentioned so if you experience any irritation or reaction, immediately stop the usage.
Special Precautions & Warning
It is advisable that you test for skin sensitivity before its usage. Excessive use of any oil on your skin can lead to skin sensitization. The oil should be used away from your eyes, ears, or nose region and if accidentally it goes inside these organs wash immediately.
If you experience any irritation or notice any reaction, immediately see a doctor. Keep it out of reach of your children.
