COMMON NAME: Vetiver, Vetivert

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Vetiveria zizanoides, Andropogon muricatus

FAMILY NAME: Poaceae (Grass)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Asia

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Haiti, India, Madagascar, China

HISTORY INFORMATION: In India the plant is known as khas, and it is also known as the oil of tranquillity. In Calcutta, blinds or sunshades are made of vetiver. They sprinkle them with water in the summer and the shades give out a wonderful scent. The powered root is used to protect Indian muslin from moths and insects. In Haiti, they use the grass for roofs over their huts.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Chinese vetiver has a high acid content which may aggravate the skin.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A tropical perennial grass growing to 8ft. having long, straight, narrow leaves with strong roots reaching deep into the soil. This helps prevent soil erosion.

PARTS PROCESSED: Roots, washed, chopped, and dried then soaked

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled

COLOR RANGE: Dark brown - olive - amber

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Alcohol/Ketone. Vetiverol, vitivone, terpenes, vetivenes

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antistress, aphrodisiac, calmative, detoxifier, emmenagogue, insect repellent, nervine, parasiticide, revitalizing, rubefacient, sedative, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge. Used to calm, promote restful sleep, uplift moods. Used for acne, cuts, oily skin, aging skin, muscle aches and pains, sprains, and stiffness.

MENTAL USES: I enjoy life. My sexual experience is pleasing and healing. I find pleasure in living. I know that I will die and that I am dying, but I also know that I live and I will always live. I am at home in my body and living on the earth.

EMOTIONAL USES: Nervous, fearful (childbirth, sexual intercourse), sexual trauma repressed, afraid of death and becoming nothing, survival mood, disconnected with self and the earth, mother issues or issues with women, afraid to make choices or be responsible for what has happened in life, ungrounded TO calming, sexually balanced, healing from sexual abuse

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you are in the need of grounding. You may not be as present as you could be in your body because of sexual trauma or feelings of being exposed and unprotected. Vetiver strengthens the nervous system and especially works on the sacral chakra and lower chakras. It opens the field to more earth grounding energies so you can feel safe in your body. Vetiver speaks to your earthiness, human or animal qualities so that you can connect with them fully without negative judgments. Without fully connecting to this part of ourselves, we cannot connect fully to the spiritual part of ourselves. It also allows us to connect with the physical that is not permanent and that will die knowing that we will never die, but we are eternal.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath, inhaler, light bulb ring, liquid candle, lotion, massage, mist spray, perfume (strong base).

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic.