Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Haitian vetiver

The deep, rich, sensual woody, earthy scent of Vetiver essential oil is wonderful for combating stress and promoting relaxation, and is a must-have in perfumery. It is also traditionally used to improve circulatory comfort. In psycho-energetic aromatherapy, it is used to strengthen roots and feelings of security. It is the essential oil of anchoring par excellence.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Suitable

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Possible but not recommended

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Rhizomes (roots)

Botanical name

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Haitian Vetiver essential oil is traditionally used for: Haemorrhoids, heavy legs, varicose veins, etc.

Health

Fragrance

Wellness

Find out more

Properties

For health, Haitian Vetiver essential oil is recognised for the following properties:

  • Arterial and venous circulatory tonic, lymphatic tonic

  • Supports the body's natural immune defences

  • Emmenagogue

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following:

  • Poor blood circulation, phlebitis, oedema, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, etc.

  • Coronary artery disease, vasculitis (under medical supervision)

  • Immune weakness

  • Amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation)

Synergies

  • Venous tonic: Cypress, Mastic Tree, Niaouli, Calophylla essential oils, etc.

  • Lymphatic tonic: Cedar, Cypress essential oils, etc.

In practice

This essential oil is viscous and very difficult to drain through the dropper cap. To make it easier to use and measure, we recommend that you:

  • Warm your bottle slightly under a stream of hot water or in a bain-marie to thin the oil (bringing it to around 25°C).

  • If the dropper still doesn't work despite heating, remove the plastic dropper cap (keeping it in case you need to transport your bottle).

  • Take a sample and measure out the absolute with a graduated pipette, as you will find on our "empty bottles" page.

Precautions

  • Not for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by children under the age of 6.

  • May have an oestrogen-like effect, and should be avoided in cases of mastosis or hormone-dependent cancer.

  • Rare internal use by therapists only.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with eyes.

  • As a general rule, always test your product in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

Find out more

Native to India and Indonesia, Vetiver is a plant of the grass family that grows in tropical areas and takes the form of a green tuft of long, narrow leaves. It is its roots, which grow vertically and can reach depths of 2 to 3 metres, that are distilled to provide the essential oil.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Lymphatic oedema (on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • 2 ml Atlas Cedar essential oil
  • 3 ml Juniper essential oil
  • 2 ml of Mediterranean Cypress essential oil
  • 1 ml of Vetiver essential oil

Directions for use: 4 to 6 drops of the mixture applied locally to the skin on the limbs to be treated, always in the direction of the heart, twice a day, morning and noon.

Varicose veins (on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • 2 ml Peppermint essential oil
  • 2 ml of Mediterranean Cypress essential oil
  • 1 ml of Mastic Tree essential oil
  • 1 ml of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil (Helichrysum)
  • 1 ml of Vetiver essential oil
  • 3 ml of tamanu carrier oil

Use: Apply 4 to 6 drops of the mixture to the area 3 times a day until symptoms disappear.

Water retention - cellulite (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • 0.3 ml Lemon essential oil
  • 0.6 ml Virginia Cedarwood essential oil
  • 0.3 ml Mastic Tree essential oil
  • 0.3 ml Vetiver essential oil
  • 0.3 ml Immortelle essential oil
  • 0.6 ml Niaouli essential oil
  • 0.3 ml Wild Mint essential oil
  • 20 ml St John's wort OIL
  • Supplement with 50 ml apricot kernel oil

Directions for use: 1 local application (8 to 10 drops) twice a day, starting at the ankles and working up towards the thighs.

Aroma-Zone Note: St John's wort macerated oil presents a risk of photosensitisation. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

"Aromatherapy"

Dr Jean Valnet - Éditions Maloine

3

'L'aromathérapie exactement'

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

'Aromatherapy'

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie'

Dominique Baudoux" - Editions Amyris

9

"Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Dermatologie"

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

10

"Aroma-Stress

Jean-Pierre Willem

11

'Aroma-Slimming'

Jean-Pierre Willem

12

"Essential oils"

Jean-Pierre Willem

13

Aroma-News newsletters from the NARD association

14

'Pratiques de Santé' magazines

15

'Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

16

http://www.vetiver.org/TVN_infra_fr.pdf

17

http://www.vetiver.com/TVN_FRENCHPAGE.htm