Friday, December 5

    Vetiver essential oil Facts

    Vetiver is a grass from the Poaceae family of plants, scientifically called Chrysopogon zizanioides. In India, it’s called “khus,” where it grows naturally, but today it’s also widely produced in Haiti, Java, Japan, the Philippines, and Reunion. A fast-growing perennial, it can survive up to 50 years or more, as all those green leaves are supported by a vast network of underground, interlinked roots that grow vertically, not horizontally, about 12 feet into the soil. These roots are what we use to get vetiver essential oil. Vetiver essential oil is derived through the steam distillation of the plant’s roots. It has a strong initial aroma and is described as woody, Smokey, earthy, herbaceous and spicy. Perhaps the most valued quality of vetiver oil is that it is deeply grounding, and often used for promoting sleep. It is said to also be equally helpful for restlessness.

    Name Vetiver   Essential Oil
    Scientific Name Chrysopogon zizanioides
    Native India mostly Western and Northern India
    Name in Other Languages Argentina:

    • Spanish: Capia

    Bangladesh:

    • Bengali: Bangla, Benna Shoba, Binna Sopha, Ghonda Bena, Gondha Bena, Ecorban, Ecorbon, Khus Khus

    Brazil:

    • Portuguese: Capim de Cheiro, Capim Vetiver, Grama Cheirosa, Gram das Indias, Patcholi

    China:           

    • Cantonese: Hang Gen Chao (the word ‘chao’ is spelled ‘cao’ by some authors, but pronounced ‘chao’)
    • Mandarin: Xiang Gen Chao

    El Salvador

    • Spanish: Zacate Violeta

    Ethiopia:

    • Amharic: Yesero Mekelakeya

    Fiji:    

    • English: Vetiver

    France:

    • French: Chiendent des Indes, Chiendent Odorant, Gras Vetiver, Herbe Vetiver, Vetivert

    Ghana:

    • Dagomba: Kulikarili

    Guatemala:

    • Spanish: Pachuli, Pasto Violeta

    India:

    • Ayurvedic: Ushira
    • Bangla: Khas, Khas Khas, Khus*, Khus Khus
    • Gujarati: Valo
    • Hindi: Bala, Balah, Bena, Ganrar, Khas, Khas Khas, Khus Khus, Onei, Panni
    • Kannada: Hallu, Kaadu, Kaddu, Karidappasajje Hallu, Laamancha, Laamanche, Lavancha, Vattiveeru
    • Malayalam: Ramaccham, Ramachehamver, Vettiveru
    • Marathi: Vala, Vala Khas Khas
    • Mundari: Birnijono, Sirum, Sirumjon
    • Oudh: Tin
    • Panjabi: Panni
    • Sadani: Birni
    • Sanskrit: Abhaya, Amrinata, Bala, Lamaja, Lamajjaka, Reshira, Sugandhimulu,Usira, Ushira, Virana
    • Santhali: Sirom
    • Telugu: Ayurugaddiveru, Kuruveeru, Lamajja Kamuveru, Vettiveellu, Vattiveeru, Vettiveerum, Vidavaliveru
    • Tamil: Ilamichamver, Vattiver, Vettiver, Vettiveru,Vilhalver, Viranam, Virkal, Vujal 
    • Urdu: Khas

    Indonesia:

    • Bahasa: Agar Wangi, Lara Setu, Lara Westu, Rara Weatu, Rumput Wangi
    • Batak: Hapias
    • Bugis: Sere Ambong
    • Buol: Akadu
    • Gayo: Useur
    • Gorontaro: Tahele
    • Halmahera: Babu Wamendi
    • Jawa: Lara Setu
    • Madura: Kara Bistu
    • Minagkabau: Urek Usa
    • Roti: Nausina Fuik
    • Sundanese: Janur, Nara Wastu, Usar
    • Ternate: Garama Kusu Batawi
    • Tidore: Barama Kusu Butai

    Iran:

    • Persian: Bikhiwala, Khas

    Laos:

    • Laotian: Ya Faek

    Latin America (see also individual countries):

    • Spanish: Capia, Mora, Pasto Vetiver, Tiva, Zacate Valeriana, Zacate Vetiver, Zacate Violet(t)a
    • Portuguese: Pacholi, Pachuli

    Malaysia:

    • Bahasa: Akar Wangi, Kusu Kusu, Naga Setu, Nara Setu, Nara Wastu, Rumput Wangi

    Myanmar:

    • Myanmese: Myat Myit Hmway

    Nepal:

    • Nepalese: Kas, Khas Khas

    Nigeria (and North African countries across sub-Saharan belt):

    • Fulani: Chor’dor’de, Ngongonari, So’dornde, So’mayo, Zemako
    • Hausa: Jema

    Pakistan:

    • Arabic: Khas
    • Urdu: Aseer, Daron, Khas 

    (Amazonian) Peru:

    • Portuguese: Pachuli (a name adopted from neighboring Brazil)

    Philippines:
    Official name in the Philippines: Moras

    • Bikol: Mora, Rimoras
    • Bisaya: Mora, Moras, Mura, Rimodas, Tres Moras
    • Cebu-Central Bisaya: Amoora, Muda
    • Iloko:  Amoras, Anis de Moro
    • Pampango: Anias de Moras, Ilib
    • Panay Bisaya: Giron, Rimodas
    • Sambali:  Rimora
    • Spanish:  Raiz de Moras
    • Sulu:  Narawasta
    • Tagalog:  Moras, Moro

    Portugal:

    • Portuguese: Capim de Boma, Capim Vetiver

    Puerto Rico:

    • Spanish: Baul de Pobre, Pacholi

    Sahel (Region in north-central Africa, south of the Sahara):

    • Bambara: Babin, Ngoka Ba, Ngongon
    • Fulani: Dimi, Kieli, Pallol
    • Gurma: Kulkadere
    • Mossi: Roudoum
    • Sarakolle: Kamare
    • Songhai: Diri

    Senegal:

    • Bamabara: Khamara
    • Fulani: Toul
    • Poulaar: Sodorde
    • Tukulor: Semban
    • Wolof: Sep, Sepp, Tiep

    Sierra Leone:

    • Mende: Pindi
    • Susu: Barewali
    • Temne: An-wunga Ro-gban

    South Africa:

    • Zulu: Muskus

    Spain:

    • Spanish: Grama de la India

    Sri Lanka:

    • Sinhalese: Saivandera, Savandara, Savandramul

    St. Vincent:

    • English: Khus Khus (originated from South Asian dialects, viz. Bengali, Hindi, or Urdu)

    Tanzania:

    • Kiswahili: Vetiva

    Togo:

    • Dagomba: Kulikarili

    Thailand:

    • Vetiveria zizanioides:
    • Central and Nakhon Ratchasima: Ya Faek Hom, Ya Faek, Ya Khom Faek
    • Central: Faek Lum, Faek Hom, Ya Faek, Ya Khom Faek,
    • General (all over the country): Faek
    • Kamphaeng Phet: Faek Ko Takhrai, Saeng Mong
    • Karen-Mae Sariang: Po Sia Khi
    • Nakhon Phanom: Faek Som, Faek Tham
    • Northeastern: Kaeng Hom, Khaem Hom  
    • Vetiveria nemoralis:
    • Central: Faek Don
    • Chiang Mai: Ya Faek

    Venezuela:

    • Spanish: Petiver

    Vietnam:

    Vietnamese: Huong Bai, Huong Lau
    Oil Color Light amber brown
    Oil Flavor Pleasant, mild, earthy, and musky smell
    Health Benefits
    • Anti-Inflammatory Properties
    • Heals Scars and Marks on Skin
    • Antiseptic Properties
    • Aphrodisiac
    • Soothes Anxiety and Nervousness
    • Lyme Prevention
    • Tonic
    • Repels Termites
    • Bug Repellant
    • Nervine
    • Sedative
    • Vulnerary
    • Treats ADHD