Vetiver essential oil: a woody scent for quieter evenings

Most essential oils come from flowers, leaves or peel. Vetiver, however, comes out of the ground: its scent forms in the roots of a tall tropical grass. Hence its very particular smell, woody, earthy and slightly smoky, like a forest after rain. An oil for the end of the day, when you want to slow down.

What is vetiver?

Vetiver is a perennial grass native to India, a distant cousin of cereal crops, which forms dense clumps and develops a very deep root system. Botanists now call it Chrysopogon zizanioides; you will still often see its former name, Vetiveria zizanioides. It is grown in many tropical regions, for example Haiti, India and Réunion. Its roots, dried and then distilled, yield the essential oil.

In perfumery, vetiver is a classic base note, giving staying power and depth to woody compositions. In India, its roots are traditionally woven into mats and blinds that are dampened to scent the air in homes.

According to the product sheet, our vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) has a woody, earthy scent. The organic version in a 5 ml bottle is described as a "woody, deep aroma, suited to aromatic uses". In our classification, vetiver belongs to the sesquiterpenes, a family presented in our guide to essential oil families.

How to use it

Our druggist recommends it for diffusion, to create a woody atmosphere that invites relaxation.

• Vetiver is a thick, almost syrupy oil that flows slowly: let the bottle reach room temperature and be patient while the drop forms.
• As its scent is very concentrated, one or two drops are enough. It pairs well with lighter notes such as sweet orange, lavender or cedarwood, which lift it.
• If your diffuser does not cope well with thick oils, use vetiver in a blend rather than on its own, and clean the device as the instructions say.
• Diffuse for 15 to 20 minutes in the evening, in the living room or bedroom, then switch the device off before going to sleep and air the room.

In the shower too

To enjoy this note without handling essential oil, our vetiver shower gel (250 ml) "cleanses and offers a woody freshness", according to its sheet.

Precautions

Please note. Do not swallow, do not apply undiluted to the skin. Avoid contact with the eyes. Ask for advice before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for a child or if you are receiving medical treatment. Do not diffuse continuously, nor around young children or pets. Keep the bottle closed, away from light and out of the reach of children.

Our products

• Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) – woody, earthy scent.
• Organic vetiver essential oil, 10 ml – a "practical size", according to its sheet.
• Organic vetiver essential oil, 5 ml – woody, deep aroma.
• Vetiver essential oil – another presentation of the same oil.
• Vetiver shower gel, 250 ml – woody freshness.

To finish

Vetiver can be puzzling at first sniff, and then you keep coming back to it. To discover its scent or put together a blend that suits you, drop by Droguerie Perusset in Yverdon-les-Bains: we will let you smell the different oils before you choose.