by Amelia E. Stone, RN
Common Name: Vetivert
Latin Binomial: Veriveria zizanoides
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
Other Common Names: Vetiver
Production Method: steam-distilled
Countries of Origin: Haiti
Typical Constituents: Khusimol (zizanol) (3.4-13.7%), Vetiselinenol (isonootkatol) (1.3-7.8%), Cyclocopacamphan-12-ol (epimer A) (1.0—6.7%), α-Cadinol (0-6.5%), α-Vetivone (isonootkatone) (2.5-6.4%), b-Vetivenene (0.2-5.7%), b-Eudesmol (0-5.2%), b-Vetivone (2.0-4.9%), Khusenic acid (0-4.8%), b-Vetispirene (1.5-4.5%), γ-Vetivenene (0.2-4.3%), α-Amorphene (1.5-4.1%), [E]-Eudesm-4 [15],7-dien-12-ol (1.7-3.7%), b-Calacorene (0-3.5%), γ-Cadinene (0-3.4%), [Z]-Eudesma-6-en-11-ol (1.1-3.3%), γ-Amorphene (0-3.3%), Ziza-5-en-12-ol (0-3.3%), b-Selinene (0-3.1%), [Z]-Eudesma-6,11-diene, (0-2.9%), Salvial-4 [14]-en-1-one (0-2.9%), Khusinol (0-2.8%), Cyclocopacamphan-12-ol (epimer B) (1.1-2.7%), Selina-6-en-4-ol (0-2.7%), Khusian-ol (1.5-2.6%), δ-Amorphene (0-2.5%), 1-epi-Cubenol (0-2.4%), Khusimene [ziza-6(13)-ene) (1.1-2.3%), Ziza-6(13)-en-3b-ol (0-2.3%), Ziza-6(13)-en-3-one (0.2.3%), 2-epi-Ziza-6(13)-en-3α-ol (1.0-2.2%), 12-Nor-ziza-6(13)-en-2b-ol (0-2.2%), α-Vetispirene (0-2.2%), Eremophila-1(10),7(11)-diene (0.9-2.1%), Dimethyl-6,7-bicyclo-[4.4.0]-deca-10-en-one (0-2.0%), 10-epi-γ-Eudesmol (0-1.8%), α-Calacorene (0.4-1.7%), [E]-Opposita-4 (15),7(11)-dien12-ol (0-1.7%), Prekhusenic acid (0-1.6%), 13-Nor-eudesma-4,6-dien-11-one (0.6-1.5%), Isovalencenol (0-1.5%), Spirovetiva-1 (10), 7 (11)-diene (0-1.5%), 2-epi-Ziza-6(13)-en-12-al (0-1.5%), [E]-Isovalencenal (0.7-1.4%), Preziza-7(15)-ene (0.6-1.4%), [Z]-Eudesma-6,11-dien-3-b-ol (0-1.4%), Intermedeol (eudesm-11-en-4-ol), Isoeugenol (0-1.3%), Isokhusenic acid (0-1.3%), Elemol (0.3-1.2%), Eremophila-1 (10),6-dien-12-al (0-1.2%), Juniper camphor (0-1.2%), Khusimone (0.5-1.1%), Eremophila-1(10),4(15)-dien-2 α-ol (0-1.1%), Eremophila-1(10),7(11)-dien-2b-ol (0-1.1%), [Z]-Isovalencenal (0-1.1%), allo-Khusiol (0-1.1%), Methyl-(E)-eremophila-1 (10),7 (11)-dien-12-ether (0-1.1%), [E]-2-Nor-zizaene (0-1.1%), [Z]-Eudesm-6-en-12-al (0-1.0%), Funebran-15-al (0-1.0%)
Description of Oil: dark brown,olive or amber viscous oil, deep smoky,earthy, woody odor
Description of Plant: A tall, tufted, perennial, scented grass.
History, Folklore and Myth: In Sri Lanka, it is known as Oil of Tranquility. In India, the roots are woven into mats, screens, and fans to scent homes. A drink can be made from the fresh rhizomes and is taken as a stimulant tonic.
Properties and Uses: antiseptic, nervine, sedative, mild rubefacient, tonic
Precautions and Contraindications: non-toxic, non-irritating, non-sensitising
References: Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Virginia, Queensland, Australia: The Perfect Potion. 1995.
Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Shaftesbury, Dorset. Element Books. 1995.
Tisserand, Robert, and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 1995.