Essential Oil Spotlight: Vetiver

Vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanioides) is one of the less common oils in mainstream Aromatherapy.

To me, it is one of the most intoxicating oils that I have worked with. I am utterly drawn to it's incredibly powerful and earthy, almost murky and dark scent. For many people, it's scent takes some getting used to; but I've found that once you're exposed to it a few times, you become hooked!

Vetiver essential oil comes from steam distillation of the roots of the perennial bunchgrass, which is native to India. Vetiver EO is known to be grounding and for me, it's effect is even stronger than most other grounding oils. [Side note: EO's that are derived from trees/roots are known to have the strongest grounding properties.]

In ancient Chinese culture, Vetiver was used to stabilize emotions and pacify anger. And in ancient Druid folk lore, Vetiver is referenced as the key to connecting with the energy of fairies, elves & gnomes!

In Aromatherapy today, Vetiver is commonly used for promoting a deep and restful sleep as well as alleviating or calming stress and balancing emotions. One drop, in conjunction with Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang essential oils increases their overall effect as aphrodisiacs.

I use Vetiver EO on a daily basis, mostly at bedtime. But, if I am needing a strong shot of grounding or calming I will put a drop of it in my diffuser during the day. Vetiver is the key oil in my Bedtime Bliss Roll On as well as my Zen-Ex Roll On, both of which I use on a daily basis as a part of my EO routine.

I also use the almost all the same oils in a diffuser blend that I diffuse both in my bedroom and my son's bedroom every night as we're sleeping, promoting a peaceful and deeply restful sleep for our whole house every night!

Bedtime Bliss Diffuser Blend:

4 drops Lavender EO (Lavandula officinalis)

2 drops Frankincense EO (Boswellia carteri)

1 drop Cedarwood EO (Juniperus virginiana)

1 drop Bergamot EO (Citrus bergamia)

1 drop Vetiver EO (Vetiveria zizanioides)