{"id":6120,"date":"2019-05-08T03:14:12","date_gmt":"2019-05-08T03:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=6120"},"modified":"2021-06-08T12:28:24","modified_gmt":"2021-06-08T12:28:24","slug":"15-things-you-didnt-knew-about-the-herb-vetiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-things-you-didnt-knew-about-the-herb-vetiver\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Things You Didn’t Knew About the Herb Vetiver"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As part of the grass family with the genus Poaceae, chrysopogon zizanioides, otherwise known as vetiver, is a perennial shrub with deep roots and tall stems. The stiff stems soar five to six feet into the air, with the root system digging as deep as 12-feet into the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When blooming, the plant produces brownish-purple flowers. Originally hailing from the northern and southern areas of India, vetiver has potent anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for use in traditional medicine where it has an extensive, established history as a natural treatment for many different ailments affecting the nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vetiver oil, also known as, \u201cKhus oil,\u201d is a popular herbal remedy for treating stress and anxiety, and it\u2019s an excellent choice as a skin moisturizer as well. The therapeutic and environmental advantages of vetiver make it a favorite grass for use in medicinal and landscaping applications Here are eight interesting facts you may not know about this perennial plant and how it can benefit your health.
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1.    Deep Roots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vetiver <\/a>is a perennial plant that grows for many seasons. What makes it such a unique form of grass, is its unique root structure. Most kinds of grass have roots that spread horizontally, forming a mat. However, vetiver roots reach deep into the ground instead of spreading out in a mat formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roots grow up to 6-feet into the ground, which is taller than the grass stems of the plant above ground level. Vetiver grass grows to an average height between four to five feet tall, with long, hairy stems that yield brown-purple flowers.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roots of the shrub are sought-after by the medicinal and herbal supplement manufacturers for their therapeutic properties. Manufacturers turn the plant into essential oil for sale on the global marketplace. Farmers harvest the grass and pull out all of the roots, sending them to the medicinal manufacturers, and then they sell the stems to other farms as mulch to lay as crop cover to prevent water loss through evaporation.
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2.    Uses Other than Aromatherapy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Manufacturers crush the roots of vetiver grass and use a steam distillation process to extract the essential oil from the plant material. Vetiver essential oil has many uses as an aromatherapy agent, where it induces sensations of calmness. You can find vetiver oil in diluted form in many perfumes and insect repellants as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, vetiver oil<\/a> has many uses in industry, including providing scent to after-shave lotions, bubble bath products, and home air fresheners. Vetiver also features in the ingredients lists of many foods where it enhances flavors and taste of other ingredients. You can find vetiver oil in ice cream, flavored syrups, incense, chewing tobacco, and soft drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medicinal properties of vetiver provide resistance to bacteria and other pathogens, as well as repellant properties for keeping away insects like mosquitoes, ants, and cockroaches. The natural anti-fungal properties of the plant make it an ideal home remedy for treating toe fungus and other fungal infections. Add some oil to distilled water and use it as a spray to get rid of black mold in your home.
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3.    Uses in Environmental Conservation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Erosion leads to landslides, and as the climate of the world changes, every country in the world is starting to experience more flooding and mudslides that wreak havoc on communities. Vetiver grass <\/a>makes an excellent natural re-enforcement barrier for preventing soil erosion and soil loss that leads to landslides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many governments and farm owners plant the grass on verges to prevent soil erosion. The roots of vetiver grow deep into the earth, providing support for the soil in the event of flash flooding or severe downpours of rain. Travel along the highways of any country, and you\u2019re bound to see vetiver growing on the elevated verges alongside the road to prevent landslides onto the highway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some farmers use vetiver to remediate their land after pesticide use or chemical spills that leave the property unusable for crops. The long roots of vetiver suck up all of the toxins in the ground remediating it for planting the following season.
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4.    Varieties of Vetiver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chrysopogon zizanioides<\/a>, or vetiver, comes in two distinct types. The first variety originates from the southern regions of India and contains no seeds upon harvest. This strain of the plant is what manufacturers use for producing essential oil from the roots of the grass. This species of vetiver in non-invasive and farmers must cultivate the grass using clump subdivision for propagation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second species of vetiver hails from the Northern areas of India and contains seeds. The seeded version has two distinct subtypes – the Indonesian species has a smokier quality to the oil, while the Haitian variety features floral notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quantity of oil generated from each plant depends on the area in which its grown, nutrients available in the soil, and the cultivation methods used to rear and harvest the grass. Some types of grass may yield less oil than others, but it\u2019s usually up to the farmer and their use of nutrients and soils to increase yields.
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5.    The Benefits of Vetiver Essential Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The primary role of vetiver cultivation \u2013 is to serve the demand from the essential oil <\/a>market. Vetiver comes as a steam-distilled extract from most online health retailers. While CO2 extractions and absolutes are available, they are hard to find, and most of the products you\u2019ll encounter will be steam-distillates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vetiver essential oil comes from the roots of the plant, not the stems and flowers of the grass, as is common with most other types of essential oils. Before turning the roots into oil, they\u2019re washed, and dried in the sun, before chopping and soaking the roots before distillation and extraction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-pressure distillation techniques can extract the oil in as little as a few hours, while more traditional systems can take up to 36-hours for extraction. There is no accepted gold standard for this process, and each oil manufacturer tends to stick to its established extraction practice, producing variable results across the industry.
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6.    Therapeutic Values and Properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The steam-distilled oil extract of vetiver has an extensive history as a medicinal supplement with therapeutic properties. Aromatherapists value vetiver oil for its relaxing and sedative characteristics. When used in a diffuser, the oil can relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Athletes and sportspeople can benefit from rubbing the oil into their skin to enhance muscle repair and reduce the effects of stiffness and sore muscles from exercise-induced stress. Most specialty formulas of topical muscle relaxants have vetiver oil featuring in the ingredients list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vetiver essential oil also has mood-boosting properties that increase serotonin and melatonin production in the brain, providing a balanced mood while ensuring that the individual receives a good night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The essential oil from the roots of this grass also has use in skincare routines, where it\u2019s a favorite ingredient in balms and moisturizing lotions. The oil balances sebum production, promoting the healing of skin injuries and disorders. Many doctors recommend using vetiver essential oils to treat the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
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7.    Vetiver Extract for Use in Perfumes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take a walk down the perfume aisle of any retailer and pick up a box of perfume. Read the ingredients label, and you\u2019re bound to find vetiver listed in the ingredients. Vetiver is highly sought-after in the cosmetics <\/a>industry for use in a variety of perfume formulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oils scent characteristics seem to improve with age, and the woody, earthy fragrance of the oil makes it an excellent component to add to men’s fragrances. The low volatility of the oil and its relative viscosity make it the ideal carrier oil to help retain the properties of other ingredients in the fragrance formulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may surprise you to learn that the renowned perfume brand \u2013 Chanel No. 5, uses vetiver oil in its formulation. The next time you decide to purchase your perfume of choice, check the ingredients list for vetiver, you\u2019re bound to find it mentioned among the other compounds in the fragrance.
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8.    Other Less-Common Uses of Vetiver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vetiver has many uses outside of the fragrance <\/a>and essential oil markets. The roots of the grass are well known for their incredibly high tensile strength, making them ideal for manufacturing ropes, as well as weaving baskets, and making hats or handbags. Should you ever get the opportunity to visit India, you\u2019ll find many of the local merchants selling products made from the roots of vetiver grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Southern India, the roots of vetiver grass make excellent thatching for homes, and the locals also use it to manufacture mats and window screens. Locals douse the vetiver screens with water during the warm summer months, where temperatures can exceed 100F at night. The air or wind passing through the fibers cools down the home, acting as a natural air-conditioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grass and stems of vetiver make great mulch for farmers to protect their crops from water evaporation, and it also makes ideal cattle feed as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possible the most exciting use of the grass, is in the development of biofuel. Since the grass is cheap to cultivate and harvest, it could offer a renewable source of energy for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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