Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) Essential Oil Monograph

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Common Name

Vetiver

Botanical Name

Vetiveria zizanioides ⁽¹⁾

Chrysopogon zizanioides ⁽²⁾ 

Andropogon muricatus ⁽²⁾ 

Andropogon zizanoides ⁽²⁾ 

Extraction Method

Steam distillation ⁽¹⁾

Parts Distilled

Roots, chopped ⁽¹⁾

Physical Properties & Energetics

• Appearance: Amber to Brown

• Viscosity: Thick, viscous

• Aroma: Sweet, Woody, Earthy, Smoky, Wet soil

• Note: Base

• Energetics: Cooling, Moistening ⁽¹⁾

Chemical Constituents

Vitiverol, Kushimone, Khusimol, Vetiselinenol, Alpha-vetivone, Alpha-cadinol, Beta-vetivenene, Beta-vetivone, Cyclocopacamphan-12-ol, Beta-eudesmol, Kushenic acid, Beta-vetispirene, Gamma-Vetivenene, Alpha-Amorphene ⁽¹⁾ ⁽²⁾ ⁽³⁾

Therapeutic properties

Anxiolytic ⁽³⁾ Antimicrobial ⁽¹⁾ ⁽³⁾ Antiseptic ⁽¹⁾ ⁽³⁾ Anti-inflammatory ⁽³⁾ Insecticidal ⁽³⁾

Nervine ⁽¹⁾ Rubeifacient ⁽¹⁾ Sedative ⁽¹⁾ ⁽³⁾ Tonic ⁽¹⁾

Vetiver Indications

Digestive System

• Ulcerative colitis ⁽³⁾

• Peptic ulcer ⁽³⁾

Skin Health

• Acne ⁽³⁾

• Infected wounds ⁽³⁾

• Cuts ⁽³⁾

• Atrophic skin ⁽³⁾

• Stretch marks ⁽¹⁾

Reproductive Health

• PMS ⁽³⁾

• Menopause ⁽³⁾

• Hot flashes ⁽³⁾

• Regulates estrogen and progesterone ⁽³⁾

Musculoskeletal

• Arthritis ⁽¹⁾

• Rheumatism ⁽¹⁾

• Muscular pain ⁽¹⁾

Emotional & Psychological

• Depression ⁽¹⁾ ⁽³⁾

• Anxiety ⁽¹⁾ ⁽³⁾

• Insomnia ⁽¹⁾ ⁽³⁾

• Dementia ⁽³⁾

• Stress ⁽¹⁾

• Relaxing ⁽³⁾

• Grounding ⁽³⁾

• Stabilizing ⁽³⁾

• Balancing ⁽³⁾

• Burnout ⁽¹⁾

  
  

Dilution Recommendations

• Maximum dermal use: 15%

Application Methods

• Bath Salts & Bombs

• Compresses

• Diffuser Blend

• Foot Soak

• Lotions & Creams

• Massage Oil

• Personal Inhaler

• Roller Ball

• Room & Linen Spray

• Salves & Balms

• Salt & Sugar Scrubs

• Reflexology

Blends & Synergy

Fir, Sweet Orange, Rose, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Juniper, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Rosemary, Petitgrain, Black Pepper

Pharmacology & Research Studies

ADHD & Cognitive Support

A small study involving children aged 6 to 12 years old found that exposure to vetiver essential oil via inhalation led to a significant performance increase, from 66.7% (pre-inhalation) to 98.7% (post-inhalation), reflecting an overall mean increase of 34%. Participants who inhaled vetiver reported improvements in brain activity and a reduction in ADHD symptoms. However, due to the limited sample size, further research is needed to confirm these findings ⁽⁵⁾.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

The Journal of Ethnopharmacology examined the traditional use of vetiver as an anti-inflammatory treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In Ayurveda, vetiver is traditionally used to absorb heat from the body and address inflammation, including muscle spasms, stiffness, and arthritis. The study evaluated both the aerial parts (leaves) and roots of the plant to determine their effectiveness. The results showed that the aerial parts were more effective than the root extract in reducing RA symptoms. Both parts helped reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines, supporting the traditional use of vetiver leaves for RA treatment. The findings also suggest that using the whole plant may provide enhanced therapeutic benefits through potential synergistic effects on multiple inflammatory pathways ⁽⁶⁾.

Sleep & Insomnia Relief

A study involving 34 participants showed that exposure to diffused vetiver essential oil during sleep enhanced delta and slow spindle brainwave activity (brain wave activity occurring during non-rapid eye movement sleep), both markers of deep sleep. Participants exposed to vetiver did not experience increased sleep disturbances, indicating that vetiver essential oil may support a deeper and more stable sleep ⁽⁷⁾.

Calming & Sedative Effects 

A study conducted on male Wistar rats found that exposure to diffused vetiver essential oil produced an anxiety-reducing effect comparable to diazepam when assessed using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Both vetiver essential oil and diazepam increased neuronal activity within brain regions associated with the regulation of anxiety behaviors. These findings suggest that vetiver essential oil’s calming and grounding effects may be linked to changes in brain activity related to anxiety, although further research is needed to clarify the exact mechanisms ⁽⁸⁾.

Skin Health & Dermatological Benefits

A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science examined the effects of vetiver on skin health, focusing on lipid production and the skin's ability to protect against external factors. The results demonstrated that vetiver stimulates sebum production, enhancing its quality by increasing antimicrobial lipids. Additionally, vetiver promoted the synthesis of skin lipids, aiding in the restoration of the skin barrier. The study also found that vetiver enhanced lipid transport, supported skin cell development, and improved overall skin texture ⁽⁹⁾.

A review published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal highlighted the dermatological uses of vetiver, identifying it as an effective essential oil for a variety of skin conditions. The review showed that vetiver has been successfully used for managing acne, balancing sebum production, and as an antiseptic for cuts, eczema, malnourished and aging skin, oily conditions, weeping sores, and wounds. Additionally, the combination of lavender and vetiver was found to be effective against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans ⁽¹⁰⁾.

Shelf Life & Storage

• Shelf life: 8 years ⁽⁴⁾

• Store in a cool, dry location away from sunlight

Safety & contraindications

• General Precautions: For external use only. Keep all essential oils away from eyes, children, and pets.

• Contraindications: None known. ⁽²⁾

• Hazards: May contain isoeugenol ⁽²⁾

• Adulteration Risk: Low.

  • Potential adulterants include low-cost sesquiterpenes (like caryophyllene derivatives) and Cyperus oil. ⁽²⁾

• Phototoxicity: None.

• Drug Interactions: None.

• Age Restrictions: Generally considered safe for children 5 Years and Older

• Pregnancy: Do not use if pregnant or experience epliepsy

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Disclaimer:

This monograph is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herb, essential oil, supplement, or topical product, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, on medication, or have a medical condition.

References:

1. Battaglia, S. (2003). The essential oils. In The complete guide to aromatherapy (Vol. 1, pp. 274-275). The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy

   
   

2. Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential oil profiles. In Essential oil safety: A guide for health care professionals (2nd ed., pp. 466 - 467). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

   
   

3. Watson, J., & Fisher, J. (n.d.). Contraindications and special safety considerations. In Aromatherapy correspondence module 1: Essential oils (pp. 17-17). Joyessence Aromatherapy Centre Inc.

   
   

4. Organically produced vetiver essential oil - aromatics international - 100% Pure & GCMS tested [Internet]. [cited 2026 Jun 3]. Available from: https://www.aromatics.com/products/vetiver-essential-oil?_pos=1&_sid=4a89bd59b&_ss=r

   
   

5. Friedmann T Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [Internet]. [cited 2025 Apr 29]. Available from: https://shiningmtnforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/adhd-study.pdf

   
   

6. Mahmoud A.M, Mohammed N.A., Osama G., Mohamed Omnia A.M., Abd El-Ghafar, Ashootosh Tripathi, Engy Mahrous, Essam M., Abd El-kader, Seham El-Hawary. Vetiver aerial parts and roots ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis in complete Freund’s adjuvant rat model, a phytochemical profiling and mechanistic study [Internet]. Elsevier; 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874123006323

   
   

7. Perl O, Arzi A, Sela L, Secundo L, Holtzman Y, Samnon P, et al. Odors enhance slow-wave activity in non-rapid eye movement sleep [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2016 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4922455/

   
   

8. Saiyudthong S, Pongmayteegul S, Marsden C, Phansuwan-Pujito P. Anxiety-like behaviour and c-fos expression in rats that inhaled vetiver essential oil [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25553641/

   
   

9. De Tollenaere M, Chapuis E, Lapierre L, Bracq M, Hubert J, Lambert C, et al. Overall renewal of skin lipids with vetiver extract for a complete anti-ageing strategy [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2021 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8246832/

   
   

10. Orchard A, van Vuuren S. Commercial essential oils as potential antimicrobials to treat skin diseases [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2017 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5435909/

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11821193/#B41-plants-14-00400