Vetiver Perfume: Properties, Distillation, and History

Vetiver – Vetiveria zizanoides

Table of contents

• Vetiver perfume: an overview

• Properties of vetiver perfume oil

• Benefits of vetiver perfume oil at a glance

• Distillation of vetiver oil

• History of vetiver usages

• Final words

Vetiver perfume: an overview

Vetiver, botanically known as Vetiveria zizanioides, is a perennial grass, the roots of which contain a grounding and calming aromatic oil used in perfumes. It is endemic to tropical Asia and has been distributed into both hemispheres. It is also known as Khus in India.

The aromatic essential oil derived from the roots of the vetiver plant is highly respected across industries of perfume, medicine, and cosmetics. The scents and phytochemical components of vetiver essential oil have been found to be effective in many different physical as well as emotional conditions such as muscular pain, bacterial infection, anxiety, and depression.   

Properties of vetiver perfume oil

Vetiver is popularly called “The fragrance of the soil” and “Oil of Tranquility“. It has been cultivated to de-contaminate the soil and stop erosion.

It is believed that the scent of vetiver perfume oil, best known for its fresh, earthy, balsamic, warm yet cooling, and woody notes, can encourage feelings of tranquility, stability, and confidence. Its tremendous calming properties have made it perfect for use in reducing nervousness and restoring the balance of emotional changes. It is also effective for diminishing feelings of panic, irritability, anger, and restlessness.

The strengthening and sedative actions of vetiver perfume oil have made it a perfect choice for improving sleep quality and enhancing libido. By promoting positive moods and balancing emotions, vetiver also helps boost immune response.

The evaporation rate of vetiver essential oil is very low and easily soluble in alcohol, making it an ideal substance for use in perfumery. Therefore, vetiver is highly valued in natural perfume composition.

Vetiver perfume is widely used in aromatherapy applications. The scent of vetiver perfume oil has been found very effective for soothing anxiety, fatigue, depression, insomnia, and inability to remember or concentrate.

The vetiver essential oil has anti-aging properties, thus, used topically or cosmetically for treating various types of skin conditions. It shows deep moisturizing actions that help the skin stay hydrated and firm. Therefore, it may protect the skin from the harmful effects of environmental stressors and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Vetiver oil acts as a natural antioxidant that may help reduce a wide range of inflammations. It also shows antiseptic actions that can help eliminate and inhibit the growth of invasive bacteria.

The vetiver oil is also used in messages to improve circulation, metabolism, and digestion. It naturally alleviates muscular aches and soothes joint stiffness and pain.

Vetiver Roots (Khus Roots)

Benefits of vetiver perfume oil at a glance

The vetiver perfume oil is found to have many different healing properties. The kinds of activity and benefits it is believed to show may include –

• Therapeutic – immune-stimulating, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, warming, vulnerable, replenishing, and strengthening.
• Odorous – grounding, calming, sedative, warming, balancing, nervine, strengthening, and deodorizing.
• Cosmetic – cicatrizing, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, stimulating, hydrating, rejuvenating, detoxifying, replenishing, deodorizing, and toning.

Distillation of vetiver oil

Vetiver essential oil is extracted through steam distillation from the rhizomes or roots of the plant. The whole process involves first harvesting the grass from the garden, then separating the roots from other aerial parts, and cleaning the roots thoroughly. Next, they’re cut down into small pieces and dried in the sunlight for 2-3 days. Finally, the dried sliced roots are hydro-distilled or steam-distilled for extracting their aromatic oil.

Once the distillate separates a hydrosol and essential oil, the oil is carefully skimmed off and filtered. Similarly to Sandalwood and Patchouli, the quality of decanted Vetiver oil also improves with age. The longer it ages, the better. Therefore, the extracted oil is allowed to age at least for 6 months to allow its greenery lighter fragrance to transform into deeper, fuller, and sweeter.

The resulting vetiver essential oil is dense and thick, that may range in color from amber brown to golden brown to olive. It exudes a pleasant scent that smells woody, earthy, and rich. Depending on the environmental conditions of its origin, vetiver essential oil may also have a sweet, floral, and smoky note. The aroma of vetiver oil has been described as being allusive to the fragrance of Patchouli along with a note of Lemon. And it has also been described to have the smell of wetlands and woods.     

History of vetiver usages

Vetiver oil has commonly been used for making perfumes since the Middle Ages. As early as the 12th century, its woody aroma has been used throughout the world and its soothing, uplifting, and protective properties have come to be mostly associated with men’s fragrances. 

In India, Vetiver (Khus) oil was highly respected in Ayurveda (Indian Traditional Medicine) for its remedial qualities. It was used to address diverse health conditions including joint disorders, imbalances in psychosomatic temperament, headaches, muscular aches, loss of energy, skin issues, and heat strokes. During hot weather conditions, its cooling actions made it perfect for lowering high body temperatures.

In China, vetiver oil was used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for replenishing the skin, balancing emotions, energizing the body, improving concentration, and alleviating depressive issues.

Final words

The vetiver perfume oil is highly beneficial in both physical as well as emotional conditions and it is known to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-toxic perfume oil. But, before you consider buying a vetiver perfume, make sure it’s 100% natural and doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients.

While natural perfumes show many tremendous healing actions, artificial and synthetic perfumes often cause irritation, allergies, and a wide range of adverse effects.

Related article – Non-toxic perfumes

Here you can check out our natural Vetiver perfume.

We don’t use any artificial or synthetic substances in our products to ensure the guaranteed purity and efficacy of our natural perfumes.

Note of caution: Since vetiver perfume has effects on hormone levels in the body, pregnant women should avoid using vetiver oil. Always ask your healthcare professional before using vetiver oil as a therapeutic agent for any underlying medical conditions especially if you are taking any prescription medication.

Disclaimer – This article contains only educational and general information and cannot be used as a medical guideline.