Dear friend,
We are now transitioning into the liminal season between summer and fall, where the warm weather has tinged some of the grass yellow, revealing patches of the Earth. As the sun heats the soil, it releases a sweet, earthy scent that takes me back to the landscapes I encountered during my travels in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. One fragrance that particularly stood out was vetiver—a fragrant grass deeply rooted in the culture and environment of many countries worldwide, and a scent I love to work with in my perfumes.
During my time in Sri Lanka, I vividly recall a hike on a hill where vetiver grew abundantly. The sight of its lush, green leaves swaying in the tropical breeze was mesmerizing, and its scent—earthy, smoky, and grounding—seemed to rise directly from the soil. This grass, which I had previously known only through perfumes, seemed to be a constant presence in the Sri Lankan countryside.
The oil that is dubbed the 'oil of tranquility' is one that is a perfume on its own right and not only that, it has been used medicine since ancient times. In Haiti, where my favourite Vetiver essential oil comes from, it is called the miracle grass..
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“Vetiver oil contains reassuring, grounding and tranquil energy. It is often used for patients experiencing trauma and helps with stabilization and self-awareness. It also has a calming effect. Vetiver oil is a nervous system tonic; it reduces hypersensitivity, jitteriness, shock and panic attacks. The Natural Product Research published a study that examined rats with anxiety disorders and found that vetiver oil caused a reduction in anxiety.”
― Judy Dyer, Empath: A Complete Guide for Developing Your Gift and Finding Your Sense of Self
In your box this month:
Vetiver essential oil, organic, from Haiti, one pure and one dilluted to perfume strength. Some vetiver root.
One sample of TOMATO
More about Vetiver
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Scientific name:
Chrysopogon Zizanioides or Vetiveria Zizanioides
Family: Poaceae
Common name:
Vetiver (sometimes spelled vetivert)
Etymology:
The word vetiver entered French in the 19th century and reached England a few decades later. It comes from the Tamil vettiveru, from vetti (to tear up) and ver (root).
The plant can get up to two meters tall in the height of its leaves and depth of its roots.
1T of roots can create up to 5-10 kg oil
Vetiver is called the "oil of tranquility" because of its deeply calming and grounding effects. Its earthy scent helps reduce stress, anxiety, and promotes relaxation, making it popular in aromatherapy. Additionally, vetiver's sedative properties aid in better sleep and emotional balance.
Vetiver brings together the four elements. It unites the earth, holding soil together, shares its sweet scent with water and turns it into incense when aflame, cleansing the air. It is the heart of an environmental system and major driver of economic development. Distilled or otherwise, it forms a powerful underground network whose ramifications stretch around the world.
Vetiver is symbolically rich, with its dual nature and plays a major role in Indian traditional medicine. It points to that what is hidden, underground. As such, it is widely used in the Mithila region to mark the return of migrating birds for winter and celebrate the love between brothers and sisters. Traditionally, for the evening ritual, women carry baskets of figurines decorated with vetiver grass and roots. More broadly, vetiver garlands or maalai are used at weddings as decoration that double as air-fresheners when sprinkled with water.
It is just a step from Vetiver to depicting the body- a step taken in Indian mythologhy. Vetiver can engender a body of its own. A minor strand of the Ramayana recounts that one of Rama's two sons was born of a vetiver root. Rama's wife Sita, forces into exile when pregnant lives with the sage Valmiki in the ashram. There, she gives birth to her first son, Lava. One day, she has some housework to do and asks Valmiki to look after her son. When Valmiki wakes up, he thinkgs the child has been kidnapped by demons. He cuts a handful of vetiver roots, or khus, ro replace the child and chants mantras to breathe life into them. Sita now has two sons, Lava and Cusa, the son of vetiver.
From: Nez + LMR Naturals Notebook on Vetiver
Frager is one of our cherished producers of Vetiver essential oil, and we frequently collaborate with Robertet, one of our trusted wholesalers. Recently, Robertet created a video that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate process of growing and harvesting Vetiver.
Harvesting Vetiver is no easy task, but in a region as frequently plagued by natural disasters as Haiti, this resilient grass offers a reliable source of income. It’s resistant to pests, and even bounces back quickly after forest fires. The Vetiver plant plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the land, with its deep roots holding the soil together and preventing erosion. Frager’s commitment to replanting ensures that this valuable resource will continue to provide sustainable livelihoods for generations to come.
Beyond its economic benefits, Vetiver contributes significantly to the long-term health of the ecosystem. This resilience is especially vital in a region like Haiti, where natural disasters can severely disrupt both lives and economies. By partnering with Frager, we are not only securing a premium essential oil but also supporting a community that relies on this extraordinary plant for both environmental and economic stability. This collaboration helps ensure that the Vetiver industry remains a sustainable part of Haiti's future, while preserving the land.
A yogi seated in a garden, North Indian or Deccani miniature painting, c.1620-40
Vetiver is also famous with the name of Khus Khus grass. This is the best known ayurvedic herb used for pacifying pitta dosha. It is also mentioned in Vedas. It has been known as Gandhatrna. It is also mentioned in charak samhita and sushruta samhita.
Ushira is known as Vetiveria zizanioides, its scientific and botanical name. It belongs to the Graminae family. This tufted grass present throughout the plains of India up to an elevation of 1200 m.
It is known for haematinic, expectorant, digestive, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic, carminative, stomachic, antispasmodic, antiasthmatic, anti-oxidant, anti-arthritic activity and antigout properties. Its roots are used for cooling action, to cool down brain and in treatment of ulcers. It is also used to cure problems like anemia, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.
The oil of the plant tends to calm stress, anxiety, insomnia and nervous tension.
This plant oil and other parts contain phytochemicals like Calarene,-gurjunene, aamorphene, benzoic acid, furfurol, vetivene, Khusimone, Calacorene, ß-humulene, a-longipinene, dselinene, d-cadinene, valencene, vetivenyl vetivenate, terpinen-4-ol, 5-epiprezizane, Khusimene, a-muurolene, epizizanal, 3-epizizanol, Khusimol, Isokhusimol, Valerenol, ß-vetivone and a-vetivone.
Written By
Dr. Meenakshi Chauhan (M.D. - Alt. Medicine)
Medically Reviewed byDr. Vikram Chauhan (M.D. - Ayurveda)
Vetiver root recipes
Just put some vetiver in a pitcher, a glass bottle or a clay pot and let them steep for at least 2 to 4 hours before drinking.
You can also freeze this water as ice cubes and add to drinks to slowly release the vetiver as you enjoy your drink.
What are the benefits of vetiver roots?
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Helps relax the mind and unwind after a stressful day or week, the perfect evening drink to help with a relaxed sleep
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Including khus roots in the routine helps purify blood, remove body heat
Vetiver roots for aromatherapy
The woody & slightly sweet scent of vetiver can be used to promote feelings of wellness and peace. A handful of these roots can be placed either in your rooms, sides of windows, wardrobes, bathrooms or work desks.
Vetiver as a pest repellent
Vetiver makes an excellent insecticide. Using vetiver roots by burning them in corners of the house can help keep out and repel termites and mosquitoes. You can keep them near your plants to prevent it from insect attacks and use them in storage closets as a moth/bug repellent. Besides acting as insect repellents, burning vetiver roots like incense releases a positivity-filled aroma, a natural aromatherapy practice.
Vetiver tea
To make this you will need:
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4 cups water to boil
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8-10 strands of Vetiver roots, washed and chopped
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Optional – Lemon, ginger, pinch of black pepper, tulsi, Sweetener of your choice.
Boil all of this in a vessel till the time when water has reduced by half and relish its benefits especially on the days when you feel a bit stressed to bring in a sense of tranquility.
https://homegrownplatter.in/5-interesting-ways-to-use-vetiver-roots/
In Calcutta and Haiti, vetiver was used to make roofs, curtains and fences: you can probably imagine how wonderful it smelled there when the roofs or fences got wet due to rain, for example.
A quick google search also showed me that there are vetiver yoga mats, roll-up curtains, lamps and artpieces on the market. I feel truly tempted to go for a vetiver yoga mat.
Lyn Harris on Vetiver for the Plant Magazine
If you like vetiver as much as I do, you can find it in a couple of my perfumes, such as Repel, Understory and Henosis.
Reach out or say hi
Thank you so much for joining me in my adventure through perfuming materials, navigating plant intelligence and smelling stuff! Would love to hear your thoughts.
or DM @linguaplanta