Vetiver Essential Oil

Grass Roots Relaxation

Grass in the breeze

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides/Vetiveria zizanioides) is a perennial grass native to India, prized for its deep roots and grounding aroma. Steam-distilled from these roots, vetiver essential oil offers a rich, earthy scent with balsamic and musky notes. The oil is rich in sesquiterpenes like khusimol and vetiselinenol, contributing to its earthy scent and anti-inflammatory activity. While its aroma may be an acquired taste, many find it profoundly calming, making it a staple for those seeking tranquility and emotional balance.

When to Reach for Vetiver

Use vetiver when you:

• Feel wired and tired — unable to settle, even though you are exhausted

• Struggle with racing thoughts that keep you from sleep

• Want to add a deep, earthy base note to a natural perfume or massage oil

• Need support in seasons of grief, stress, or emotional heaviness

  
  

Blending Suggestions

Vetiver blends well with many essential oils, adding depth and calm:

• Citrus oils like grapefruit or lemon for a fresh, uplifting boost

• Woodsy oils like cedarwood or cypress for a warm, forest-like aroma

• Floral oils like lavender or geranium for a soft, soothing touch and gentle relaxation

• Rich Base oils like frankincense or sandalwood for a deeper, comforting scent

The Science Behind Vetiver's Benefits

Vetiver has been used for centuries, and modern research continues to uncover its potential benefits. Scientific studies point to many promising properties:

• Calming to the Nervous System

  • Alleviates feelings of anxiety and tension

  • Ideal for unwinding and relaxing

  • Improves sleep quality when diffused before bedtime

  • Reduces frustration and irritability

  • Creates a sense of emotional equilibrium

  
  

• Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Potential

  • Antioxidant activity

  • Reduces inflammation and swelling

  • Traditionally used in managing rheumatic discomfort and swelling

  • Relieves muscle tension

  
  

• Antimicrobial

  • Antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria, including some bacteria related to acne

  • Antifungal activity against a variety of Candida species

  • Antiparasitic activity against protozoan parasites such as Trypanosoma and Leishmania

  
  

• Skin Health

  • Antiseptic properties

  • Supports and strengthens connective tissue

  • Promotes skin rejuvenation

  • Calms eczema

  • Reduces acne

  • Soothing for mature skin

  • Deodorizing

  • Hydrating

diffuser emitting aromatic vapor

Base Note Comparison Table

Just a quick review of how vetiver compares to similar rich base note oils

Oil	Aroma	Emotional Use	Common Pairings
Vetiver	Earthy, musky, woody	Calming, relaxing, quieting	Lavender, cedarwood, citrus
Patchouli	Earthy, sweet, woodsy	Balancing, relaxing, sensual	Lavender, bergamot, ginger
Sandalwood	Soft, woody, sweet	Soothing, calming	Rose, myrrh, frankincense

Vetiver Recipes

If you are new to vetiver or want to try it in a fresh way, here are a few safe and simple methods of use:

Quiet Night Diffuser Blend

Perfect for settling the mind at the end of the day.

• 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• 2 drops Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

• 1 drop vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)

Add to a diffuser with the recommended amount of water and let the aroma support a more restful evening.

Comforting Massage Oil

Use this blend to release tension at the end of a long day.

• 1 oz carrier oil (such as sweet almond or jojoba)

• 3 drops black spruce (Picea mariana)

• 2 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii)

• 2 drops vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)

Combine in a small bottle and shake gently before use. Massage into shoulders, neck, or feet. Always perform a patch test before wider application.

Citrus-Vetiver Sugar Scrub

A natural way to soften skin and enjoy a little calm in the process.

• 1 cup brown sugar

• ½ cup jojoba, argan or hemp oil

• 10 drops steam-distilled lemon (Citrus limon)

• 6 drops vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, then transfer to a clean PET plastic jar with a lid. Use in the shower to gently exfoliate, then rinse. Store in a cool, dry place. Make fresh monthly. Oils can make surfaces slippery—use care in the shower.

Hand Soap

A simple way to add a little tranquility to the basic necessity of washing your hands.

• 6 oz non-scented Castile soap

• 2 oz distilled water

• 12 drops grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)

• 12 drops vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)

• 8 oz foaming hand soap dispenser

Add Castile soap to dispense, then add essential oils. Swirl to disperse the essential oils. Top off with distilled water. Add the top, and swirl again.

Facial Toner

• 4 oz witch hazel

• 4 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• 4 drops geranium (Pelargonium x asperum)

• 4 drops vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)

Add the witch hazel and essential oils to a 4-oz amber glass bottle or a PET plastic bottle with a flip-top lid using a small funnel. Shake well to disperse the oils. Label the bottle.

Final Thoughts

Vetiver may not be the flashiest essential oil, but it is a reliable helper for anyone wanting to feel calmer or healthier. It offers simple ways to care for your family and home. Try one of the recipes above, or create your own recipe. What’s your favorite way to use vetiver? Let us know!

References

Grover M, Behl T, Virmani T, Bhatia S, Al-Harrasi A, Aleya L. Chrysopogon zizanioides-a review on its pharmacognosy, chemical composition and pharmacological activities. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Sep;28(33):44667-44692. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15145-1. Epub 2021 Jul 2. PMID: 34215988.

Sivakumar L, Chellappan DR, Sriramavaratharajan V, Murugan R. Root essential oil of Chrysopogon zizanioides relaxes rat isolated thoracic aorta - an ex vivo approach. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2020 Oct 14;76(3-4):161-168. doi: 10.1515/znc-2020-0143. PMID: 33048838.

Grover M, Behl T, Bungau S, Aleya L. Potential therapeutic effect of Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver) as an anti-inflammatory agent. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Apr;28(13):15597-15606. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12652-z. Epub 2021 Feb 3. PMID: 33534103.

Ouyang J, Bae H, Jordi S, Dao QM, Dossenbach S, Dehn S, Lingnau JB, Kanta De C, Kraft P, List B. The Smelling Principle of Vetiver Oil, Unveiled by Chemical Synthesis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2021 Mar 8;60(11):5666-5672. doi: 10.1002/anie.202014609. Epub 2021 Feb 9. PMID: 33315304; PMCID: PMC7986879.

Arafat MAM, Khalil MNA, Mohamed OG, Abd El-Ghafar OAM, Tripathi A, Mahrous EA, Abd El-Kader EM, El-Hawary S. Vetiver aerial parts and roots ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis in complete Freund's adjuvant rat model, a phytochemical profiling and mechanistic study. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023 Dec 5;317:116764. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116764. Epub 2023 Jun 13. PMID: 37315650.

Oliveira TAS, Vieira TM, Esperandim VR, Martins CHG, Magalhães LG, Miranda MLD, Crotti AEM. Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, and Cytotoxic Activities of Chemical Characterized Essential Oil of Chrysopogon zizanioides Roots. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022 Aug 5;15(8):967. doi: 10.3390/ph15080967. PMID: 36015115; PMCID: PMC9415812.

Shinjyo Y, Midorikawa N, Matsumoto T, Sugaya Y, Ozawa Y, Oana A, Horie C, Yoshikawa H, Takahashi Y, Hasegawa T, Asai K. Analysis of cell death in Bacillus subtilis caused by sesquiterpenes from Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty. J Gen Appl Microbiol. 2022 Sep 15;68(2):62-70. doi: 10.2323/jgam.2021.09.005. Epub 2022 Apr 13. PMID: 35418537.

Alviano DS, Barreto AL, Dias Fde A, Rodrigues Ide A, Rosa Mdo S, Alviano CS, Soares RM. Conventional therapy and promising plant-derived compounds against trypanosomatid parasites. Front Microbiol. 2012 Aug 6;3:283. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00283. PMID: 22888328; PMCID: PMC3412339.