Vetiver Essential Oil: Ground Yourself in Nature’s Healing Power
- Apr 29
- 6 min read
Updated: May 10
Vetiver is one of my favourite essential oils. With its earthy, grounding scent, it blends effortlessly with many other oils. If you’ve been following my Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that vetiver is a key ingredient in many of the blends I share, as it helps keep us rooted to Mother Nature. Beyond its beautiful aroma, vetiver offers powerful healing properties that support the body, mind, and spirit.
In this article, you will learn:
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 (1)
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 (2).
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 (3).
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 (4).
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 (5).
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 (6).
Ways to Use Vetiver
Vetiver Bath Blend
Vetiver essential oil is a perfect addition to a warm bath, grounding and relaxing both the body and mind while easing the stress that builds up throughout the day. Not only does it calm the mind, but it also nourishes and replenishes the skin.
To make your own relaxing bath, you need:
1 glass bowl
1 Tbsp Carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut or grapeseed
2 drops Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil
2 drops Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) essential oil
1 drop Rose (Rosa damascena) essential oil
10 drops Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil
1 cup Epsom salt
Directions:
Mix carrier oil, vetiver, jasmine, rose essential oils and Epsom salt in a glass bowl.
Add the mixture to your warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.
Note: Never add essential oils directly to your bathwater, as they can cause skin irritation. Use caution when exiting the tub, as the oils may make the surface slippery.
Aroma Stick for Focus & Concentration
Portable and discreet, aroma sticks are perfect for on-the-go use. You can easily create your own with essential oils.
To make an aroma stick, you'll need:
1 blank aroma stick
1 small glass bowl
6 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil
3 drops Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) essential oil
2 drops Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil
Directions:
In a clean glass bowl, mix all the essential oils together and place the cotton wick into the mixture.
Let the wick absorb the oil for 5 minutes
Insert the wick into the aroma stick and snap the cap on
Usage: Open the cap, hold the inhaler near your nose, and breathe deeply for enhanced focus and concentration.
If stored properly (in a cool, dry place with the cap closed), your aroma stick should last about two months.
Diffuser Blend
Because vetiver is a heavy oil, it tends to sink to the bottom of your diffuser. To use it effectively, first blend it with lighter essential oils in a separate bowl to help disperse it evenly, then add the mixture to your diffuser.
1 small glass bowl
10 drops Fir (Abies balsamea) essential oil
3 drops Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil
Directions:
In a clean glass bowl, mix all the essential oils together
Add the mixture to your diffuser
Roll-on & Massage Oil
Roll-ons are a convenient and portable option for targeted applications. You can use them anywhere for a focus boost or can be used to help relax muscles and release tension.
To make your own roll-on, you need:
1 10 ml glass-roll on bottle
6 drops Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil
2 drops Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil
2 drops Rose (Rosa damascena) essential oil
A carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut, grapeseed
Directions:
Add 6 drops of mandarin, 2 drops of vetiver, and 2 drops of rose oil to the roll-on bottle
Fill the rest of the bottle with your chosen carrier oil
Snap-on the roller ball and shake gently
Usage: Apply the roll-on to your collarbones, wrists, or neck. You can also massage it into arms, legs, back and feet to ease tension and release stress.
Warnings & Contraindications
No known contraindications.
Hazards: While generally safe, vetiver essential oil may contain isoeugenol and should have a dermal maximum of 15%.
Avoid eye area and if epileptic or pregnant.
Conclusion
Vetiver is widely recognized for its sedative, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory properties. As one of my favourite essential oils, it continues to prove itself as a powerful healing ally. From supporting individuals with ADHD and insomnia to promoting skin health and reducing inflammation, vetiver offers a versatile range of therapeutic benefits for the body, mind, and spirit.
References:
1. 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
2. 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
3.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/
4. 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/
5. 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/
6. 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
