Vetiver Essential Oil

This is one of my FAVORITE essential oils!!! This woodsy earthy scent has a grounding feeling. I love it. This is my go-to oil when I am tired, brain won’t shut off, I am only going to get four hours of sleep, or when the kiddo is having trouble sleeping. It comes in handy. I know I have shared some stories of the times when I have pulled out this oil but for a hyper kid at bedtime but, I wanted to share some research and other known uses. This woodsy earthy scent has a grounding feeling.

Background… Vetiver essential oil is made from the root of the Vetiveria plant knows as zizanioides nash, can be found growing in South India. Historically, it is known as the “Oil of Tranquility”. The use of the entire plant can be dated back to ancient times for making perfumes, soaps, in foods and drinks, hung from doorways, and make baskets, rungs, and also for medicinal purposes.

It has been used to balance temperatures, soothe arthritis, reduce stress and fatigue. In Chinese medicine, vetiver has been used to balance emotions,  uplift spirits, focus the mind, and energize the body. Uses for vetiver oil can also be found in Ayurveda practices as well for spiritually healing, muscle and joint disorders, to strengthen the nervous system, and sedating effects (are just a few uses).

Constituents… Vetiver essential oils is made up mostly of Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons, Sesquiterpene Alcohol derivatives, Sequiterpene Carbonyl derivatives, Sesquiterpene Ester derivatives, and Vetivone a and B, and Khusinol.

The above chemical names give vetiver the scientific evidence for how it works in the body and provides an explanation for why it is so widely used.

More than just for sleep… 

Like other essential oils, vetiver is adaptogenic. Meaning it is a natural substance which can aid the body in adapting to stress and exert a normalizing effect on bodily processes (definition from the dictionary). This means it is going to aid your body with what it needs so, you are not going to fall asleep in broad daylight (unless you are tired and use this oil- as I do).

I mainly use vetiver to help my family sleep, but I am finding other uses for it too. This oil is commonly used by people with ADD and ADHD to aid with concentrating, anxiety, and improving cognitive function. Studies are being done to prove the effects natural medicine/ oil can aid the body. One study in particular with vetiver, should tremendous improvements to increase awareness and focus in children with ADD and ADHD. I find it pretty amazing and have added it to my list of oils for my son.

Other Common Uses… Some have also used vetiver to aid with detoxification and cellular healing due to its antioxidant properties. It has been added to many home remedies for burn relief, skin creams to aid in removing scars such as stretch marks and other skin disorders. Aiding with balancing hormones, improving brain function, aiding with insomnia, reducing stress, and anxiety. I even read it some uses it to repel bugs such as termites (

I am all for repelling bugs.) 

You can use vetiver in the diffuser, apply it to your skin, and even ingest it for different benefits (please adhere to your companies guidelines). 

Blending with other Oils… Vetiver blends nicely with a floral scent, especially if the woodsy scent is too much for you. It pares nicely with Lavender, Rosemary, Yang Ylang, Rose, and Orange. You can also try mixing it with Frankincense, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Sage, Basil, and Cypress for different uplifting and calming blends.

Vetiver is a thick oil but one drop can go a long way. At night I mix one drop vetiver and three drops of lavender when I need to get some rest.

Two drops of vetiver, five drops of orange, two drops of peppermint, and one drop of Frankincense essential oil in a roll-on does make for a nice focus blend to carry with you throughout the day.

I am defiantly going to start using this more throughout the day to help my son focus on his studies and focus my husband’s mind. Researching this oil has opened my eyes to the other uses and possibilities this oil can provide in healing the body.

Jasmine Hutchinson BSN, PHN, RN

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