Known as the “oil of tranquility” in India and Sri Lanka, vetiver essential oil is probably one of the lesser well-known yet highly useful essential oils out there in the market! It is also known as khus oil and it is derived from the Poaceae family, which is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. It has a very earthly, herbaceous and fresh scent and it is a common ingredient used in Ayurvedic medicine in India for as long as I can remember. It shares many similar characteristics as patchouli oil and sandalwood essential oil, but vetiver essential oil does have some unique health properties and benefits too!

Although vetiver essential oil is steam distilled from the roots of the plants, you can actually make your very own vetiver water from the comforts of your own home to soak in (pun intended) the benefits of the vetiver plant! Simply soak the clean vetiver roots in boiling water (that has been cooled) for 2-3 hours, making sure that you cover the pot. Once done, take out the roots and you can now use that water for a variety of uses. You can spread it all over your body as it detoxifies and purifies your blood within. The water can also be used to wash your hair so as to give it a refreshed cleaning.

Known to heal oneself from within as it purifies and energizes your soul, here are some of the top vetiver essential oil benefits:

1. Improves Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed attention disorders amongst children and teenagers. Parents, upon learning that their child suffers from ADHD, may feel a sense of despair and hopelessness as they do not know how to improve ADHD levels so as to facilitate better concentration and a longer attention span. However, research has been done in this area concerning ADHD and vetiver essential oil and they have yielded much positive results!

In 2001, Dr. Terry Friedmann conducted a study with children aged 6 to 14. Different groups of children were given different essential oils to be inhaled, three times a day for a period of 30 days. One group was given cedarwood oil, the other was given vetiver essential oil and yet another was given lavender oil. The results were analyzed and it was found that vetiver essential oil was the most significant in treating ADHD levels!

This is because the relaxing and calming properties of vetiver essential oil helped the children in the study in terms of providing greater mental clarity and improved concentration levels, thus preventing them from being easily distracted and disorganized in their thoughts. As such, they are more calm, patient and able to follow directions closely. Of course there are limitations to the study as it is only a small sample-size but the results are no doubt promising!

2. Soothes Anxiety and Nervous Disorders

Vetiver essential oil has nervine properties, which means that it takes care of the nerves in the body and helps them heal when they are being affected by stress, shock, trauma and fear. As such, they maintain the health of the nervous system and is able to alleviate some nervous disorders such as epilepsy, hysteria and even Parkinson’s Disease.

With its sedative properties, vetiver essential oil can also help to calm tensed and anxious souls as it promotes relaxation and calm. In fact, it can even help those who are suffering from insomnia! According to research done, vetiver essential oil actually has the same effect as Diazepam, which is a medication that is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures. The additional benefit about vetiver essential oil is that is all-natural!

3. Improves Scarring and Heals Blemishes

As it contains cicatrisant properties, vetiver essential oil is an excellent choice if you are looking to heal and eradicate various scars and blemishes on your skin! It can help to heal scars caused by acne, chicken pox or any other cuts, leaving your face blemish-free and very smooth. Essentially, it promotes the regeneration of tissues underneath your skin, leaving your skin rejuvenated and your complexion will be much better!

Besides acne marks, it can also help to treat stretch marks, possibly caused by childbirth or other reasons. In addition to its cicatrisant properties, it is also an antiseptic which means it can heal wounds and other cuts as well as promotes healing of the eventual scars because of its ability to kill off bacteria effectively. In fact, as it is an effective antiseptic, it is traditionally used in India to treat and prevent wounds from getting sepsis.

4. Improves Libido

Vetiver essential oil has aphrodisiac qualities, meaning that it can promote feelings of affection and sexual desires in you and your partner when both of you feel the need to. Vetiver essential oil, since it is a calming and sedative agent, can help you relax your mind and body, thus stabilizing hormonal levels. This thus promotes libido. It can also increase testosterone levels since it induces the body to have adequate rest and sleep. Not only that, it can also balance female hormones and has estrogen-like effects!

Its rich aroma can also arouse feelings of sensuality to help you get in the mood. So the next time you encounter some problems in your bedroom, try vetiver essential oil!

5. It Improves Body Functions

Because vetiver essential oil is a tonic, it greatly improves and regulates the metabolic system in our bodies. It gives strength and promotes rejuvenation of our bodies as well as helps to boost our immune system, keeping them healthy and disease-free!

Vetiver essential oil can also help to soothe our nervous system due to its calming and restorative attributes. It also has strong antioxidant properties, which helps to purify your various bodily systems and functions, keeping it free from harmful toxins. This thus ensures the smooth functioning of the various processes within your body. This also helps to keep it as healthy and rejuvenated as never before!

6. It has Anti-Inflammatory Uses

Vetiver essential oil contains anti-inflammatory attributes, thus helping to ease and soothe the nervous and the circulatory systems within your bodies. Vetiver essential oil can also be used to provide relief to inflammation of the joints, thus making it especially beneficial for those who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and skin inflammation.

There you have it! These are the top 6 health benefits of utilizing vetiver essential oil! Other benefits include its ability to repel termites and other pesky bugs and even as a room freshener due to its sweet aroma that leaves your place smelling nice and fresh!

How to Use Vetiver Essential Oil:

Vetiver essential oil can be blended with bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, ginger, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, orange, patchouli, rose and even sandalwood essential oils. Most importantly, here are some of the ways in which you can use vetiver essential oil:

• Add in 5-10 drops of vetiver essential oil to your bath water. It can help to induce feelings of relaxation and relieve yourself from insomnia. For even more optimal results, you can combine vetiver essential oil with lavender or rose essential oils too!

• You can diffuse 3-5 drops of vetiver oil in your distiller or vaporizer, or you can massage 1-2 drops on your wrists, chest and neck.

• Alternatively, you can even inhale vetiver essential oil from the bottle (in small dosages).

• By mixing 3-5 drops of vetiver essential oil with equal amounts of jojoba oil, create your own massage blend that will leave your skin clean and moisturized.

• You can even add in 1-2 drops of vetiver essential oil to your skincare products to improve acne scars and blemish. Or, you can add a drop of vetiver essential oil to 3-4 drops of virgin coconut oil after cleansing your face.

Safety Precautions:

Even though vetiver essential oil is a non-irritant, non-toxic and non-sensitizing, thus making it generally safe to be used, you should always take note of these safety precautions when using vetiver essential oil (and any other essential oils):

• Always dilute vetiver essential oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut, jojoba or almond oil) before applying it topically onto your skin or adding it into your skincare regime.

• Be sure to do a skin patch test on a non-sensitive part of your skin to ensure no allergic/sensitive reactions crop up.

• Do not ingest vetiver essential oil.

• Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using the oil as it might cause a miscarriage. Always consult your doctor first.

References:

Terry S. Friedmann, "Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)", n.d.

Saiyudthong S, et al., "Anxiety-like behaviour and c-fos expression in rats that inhaled vetiver essential oil", Natural Product Research (2015); 29(22)