Health Benefits Vetiver Grass

Monthly Feature, JUNE 2015

This month I thought I’d cover the health benefits of Vetiver Grass. 

There are many health benefits of Vetiver Grass. In the Ayurveda healing system of India, Vetiver EO plays a prominent role in the practice. The oil is uplifting, calming, soothing and healing.

The fragrance is deep, woody and earthy. Many cosmetic preparations, especially ones designed specifically for men, include Vetiver EO. The scent of Vetiver mixes well with lime and rose. Today, you can find Vetiver EO in many, many perfumed or scented products in our Western world.

Below are some of the specific modern uses and benefits of Vetiver EO.

For the Skin

Vetiver EO has antiseptic properties that make it valuable in a salve, cream, lotion or carrier oil in treating wounds and keeping infection from taking hold. It promotes the growth of new tissue, so is valuable in reducing scar tissue and to help keep aging skin supple. It is used to treat acne, burns, stretch marks and other skin problems.

As a Tonic and Sedative

Vetiver EO can support us during times of emotional stress, panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia and other nervous issues. Its action as a nervine makes it helpful as an aromatherapy treatment for insomnia. Adding a few drops of Vetiver EO to a carrier oil such as Grape Seed or Almond Oil and using the oil during a massage will deepen the soothing benefits of the massage.

Using a Vetiver Hydrosol Spray during times of daily stress can help relieve stress and get your mind back on track for work or other mental tasks.

Adding a few drops of Vetiver EO to a warm bath will extend the benefits of the bath, calm the mind, relax tight muscles, reduce pain and soothe the spirit, inducing a restful night.

For ADHD

In 2001, Dr. Terry Friedman conducted a study of the effects of Vetiver EO on children with ADHD. The EO improved the performance of the children in the study by 100%, much more than with Lavender EO. Much more research is needed, of course. 

To use Vetiver EO for ADHD symptoms, add a few drops of the EO to a diffuser. Or, add a few dropsto a carrier oil or unscented lotion and apply to the skin. For a simple skin spray, add a few drops to water or witch hazel and put in a spray bottle for application to the skin. It is especially cooling and soothing during times of stress.

Pesticide

Vetiver EO has promising use as a pesticide, insecticide and to combat termites.

From ayurvedicoils.com:

Regarding Termites: A study on the Chemical analysis and Comparison of Antitermitic activity of essential oils of Neem, Vetiver and Mint against Heterotermes indicola from Pakistan proved that Vetiver oil was the most efficient repellent and valuable fumigent with its long lasting activity and has 60% potential to kill Heterotermes indicola, while mint and neem oil showed 56.66% and 54% effectiveness.

There is some evidence Vetiver can control mosquito larvae, which could help in the control of diseases like dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever.

Pain Relief

Vetiver EO in a salve, cream or a carrier oil may ease pain from strains, sprains, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. In fact, Vetiver EO is an ingredient in the commercial products Ortho Sport Massage Oil and Ortho Ease, both from Young Living.

Environmental Cooling

Vetiver is a cooling herb for use where the summers are very hot. Woven Vetiver window screening release a cooling fragrance when dampened. Vetiver root sachets steeped in water make for a cooling drink.

Here is more information on Vetiver, including more on Ayurvedic healing.

You can purchase your own Vetiver Plants from The Herb Cottage and grow it out in your garden or a large container. To harvest the root, it’s easiest to grow the plant in a large container so the roots are easier to access. After harvesting, cut off a large mass of the root, leaving a few inches below the growing crown. Then replant the crown with the trimmed roots. When replanting, cut the tops back to as low as 8″ to 12″. The plant will establish roots and start to grow out quickly in warm weather.

Chop up the tops and use for mulch or weave them into your own cooling shades!

To make a scented, useful oil, simply harvest your Vetiver Roots, clean and chop them up, steep them in a carrier oil such as grape seed, almond, jojoba or any other oil you like for your skin. Leave them in the oil for at least a month, then strain out the plant material and store the oil away from direct sunlight.

Voila! You now have your own healing, soothing, calming Vetiver oil. Add some to a bath, use it on your skin as a moisturizer or for pain relief or add it to an unscented lotion, shampoo or hair conditioner.

QUOTE FOR THE MONTH

When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can’t eat money.

-Alanis Obomsawin, filmmaker (b. 1932)

Until Next Time,

Cindy Meredith, The Herb Cottage 

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Cicero