This is an article on one of the lesser-known essential oils, which goes by the name of vetiver. Its botanical name is Vetiveria zizanioides, and I should say it is lesser known to some. Those of us who feel that our minds are wandering a bit more than usual (and not in a good way), could benefit from this oil’s unique capabilities. We all know about ritalin and pharmaceutical solutions of that kind. Why not try something else, and attempt a more natural method?
So, without further ado, let’s get into the nitty gritty details of this plant, its oil, and the health benefits – plus side effects – which are associated with it.
What Is Vetiver Essential Oil? Where Does It Come From?
The vetiver plant is actually a kind of grass, which grows all year round
Vetiver essential oil is also known as Ruh Khus Oil, or the ‘oil of tranquility’. It is extracted from the vetiver plant native to certain regions of India. It is believed to possess grounding and focusing abilities. It has shown to have a stabilizing effect on people, and its ability to soothe aches and pains is also a big advantage.
The vetiver plant is actually a kind of grass, which grows all year round. It has long stems, thin leaves, and can grow to a height of about five feet. Even though it is native to India’s soil, nowadays it is cultivated all over the world, and more specifically in the tropical regions of the globe.
This oil is also even more special, because it is the root of the vetiver plant which is taken and made into oil. Unlike many other essential oils, which make use of the plant’s leaves, petals, stems, and flowers, vetiver is produced by steam distillation of the roots. It is a tougher and longer process that the roots undergo, which is why vetiver is usually a little more expensive than more common essential oils.
Vetiver Essential Oil Benefits For Hair
Your hair and scalp can also benefit from the vetiver essential oil
It may not be as well-known as other essential oils, but nevertheless, it gets the job done. Your hair and scalp can also benefit from this oil, since it has the ability to repel lice, treat their bites, and also encourage healthy hair growth.
It is an oil used to treat premature baldness, as well as premature graying of the hair. It can calm the mind, and it can also calm the scalp. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agents which can be very helpful in the event of different wounds or cuts which may be on your scalp.
Regarding hair loss and hair growth. It is important to understand that once the hair has left the scalp, there is usually little which can be done naturally. If a hair follicle is so weak that it has shed itself, there is no bringing it back. With most hair growth simulators, the idea is to prevent the loss of more hair, not to regenerate that which is nonexistent.
I am sure there are people out there who claim to have had their baldness somewhat-reversed by continuous use of certain essential oils. This is one case where I will believe it when I see it with my own eyes. Preventing hair loss of existing hairs is totally possible, and even easy to do with substances such as these. But regenerating hair where there is none – that is a different story altogether.
If you suffer from some kind of graying or baldness, then by all means, try it. But, you must enter with a clear head and realistic expectations. This also has a lot to do with the patient’s genetic makeup, family history, and other conditions, both physical and mental. It is pretty much impossible to predict whose head of hair will be helped by this plant, and whose will not.
Vetiver Essential Oil Benefits For Skin
vetiver essential oil can also be very useful for clearing spots and blemishes from the surface of the skin
We mentioned the anti-inflammatory properties of this oil in regards to hair, but its work doesn’t stop at the scalp. No, sir. Thanks to its antibacterial abilities, vetiver oil can also be very useful for clearing spots and blemishes from the surface of the skin. Preventing and treating acne, soothing and calming the skin – this is part of what this oil can do for you. It can also be used to promote the healthy growth of new skin cells, thereby helping the body heal from various injuries. I have used it for calluses on my feet, along with coconut oil. I Would highly recommend!
Vetiver Essential Oil Benefits For ADHD
vetiver essential oil showed great promise in the treatment of ADHD
One very specific area of medicine to which vetiver essential oil has been linked, is that of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. In studies which were conducted in the early 2000s, vetiver showed great promise in the treatment of ADHD.
There are several other essential oils which possess calming and soothing properties, such as rose oil and lavender oil. But vetiver surpasses the numbers of both of those oils and it looks like vetiver is becoming more well-known every day as one of the best natural remedies. Well, no, not remedies. It doesn’t have the means to necessarily cure the condition, but it may help those which suffer from this disorder, as well as attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Vetiver oil can be administered in several ways. It can be applied topically (via a carrier oil), it can be can also be inhaled directly or burned in a diffuser. Whichever method you choose – get in there with the right mindset, and let the calm come.
Vetiver Essential Oil Benefits For Sleep
Vetiver essential oil acts as a sedative and can help guarantee a sweeter, more relaxed sleep
Speaking of calm, our bodies and minds find new meanings of the word ‘calm’ when we are asleep. Do you know what I mean? When you get a good night’s sleep, you wake up feeling like the planets are all aligned and there’s nothing you can’t do. It doesn’t even have to be too long a sleep, just a good one. You know?
Vetiver acts as a sedative, and whether it’s for a fussy bedtime toddler, or a chronic adult insomniac, the essential oil of vetiver can help guarantee a sweeter, more relaxed sleep. A drop diluted in a carrier oil – apply it to the feet. And for older kids and adults, you can also apply it to the area behind the ears, and the nape of the neck.
You can also add a few drops of it to your bath, and let the water and essential oil carry you to ‘calmville’. Plant magic does exist.
Can You Make Your Own DIY Vetiver Essential Oil?
If you are looking for a DIY project with vetiver, you can produce your own unique scent
The short answer is no. You can attempt to create various infusions perhaps, but the roots of the vetiver plant are not like the leaves and flowers of the yarrow plant, or the rinds of a grapefruit. As I mentioned before, the vetiver roots are treated longer than lots of other plants and plant components.
If you are looking for a DIY project with vetiver, you can produce your own unique scent. You can make your very own fragrance, combining vetiver oil with that of lavender and lemon oil, for instance.
Side Effects Of Using Vetiver Essential Oil
Expecting or nursing women should probably avoid using vetiver essential oil
Vetiver oil has some possible side effects. First of all, as with other essential oils, remember that you are dealing with a highly potent and volatile substance. Take caution, use moderately, and consult your physician before beginning treatment with vetiver. With infants and young children, extra caution should be taken; dilute the oil more than usual.
There has been a more serious side effect occurring specifically with women. Vetiver has been linked to causing menstruation and miscarriage. This is not an absolute claim or proven medical fact, but it is definitely an essential oil which is flagged in that department. Expecting or nursing women should probably avoid using vetiver.
— Fragrance Foundation (@FragranceFDN_UK) June 30, 2017
Conclusion
This is one oil which you should get a whiff of sometime, even if you are not planning on using it. It has this really amazing scent, and depending on the region where the roots were harvested and processed, it will smell a little different. The vertical vial of vetiver (try saying that five times fast!) which I keep in my medicine cabinet was produced in Haiti. Like I said in the beginning, it is popular in some of the more tropical places around the world.
Vetiver is a key component in many perfumes and colognes, since its calming abilities and rich fragrance help to keep the mind sharp and the body smelling awesome. It is not an oil for everyone, but it’s worth a shot. Whether you use it for health reasons or for cosmetic purposes, remember to use judgement and moderation. With most essential oils, and certainly with this particular one, less is more.