Tuesday, May 13

    Vetiver facts

    Vetiver is the perennial and tall grass that is grown in wild. The roots are branched along with subtle rootlets. The plant grows upto 1.5 meters tall. The leaves are long and thin with purple to brown flowers. It prefers various types of climates and soils. It is also useful for the sodic, acid, saline and alkaline soils. It is tolerable to high content of manganese, aluminium and heavy metals that contained in soil. It is tolerable to drought due to the presence of deep and extensive roots. It stands in 50°C heat, -10°C frost and 450 mm rainfall.

    Name Vetiver
    Scientific Name Chrysopogon zizanioides
    Native Native to India
    Common/English Name Cuscus grass, khus-khus, khus-khus grass, vetiver, vetiver grass, Khuskhus Vetiver, Motgrass, Vetiveria
    Name in Other Languages French: chiendent odorant, vétiver, Polypogon vert, Polypogon vrai;
    German: Vetivergras;
    India: khas-khas;
    Portuguese (Brazil): capim-de-cheiro, capim-sândalo, patchuli-falso;
    Swedish: vetivergräs;
    Bikol: rimóras, móra;
    Cebuano: amóora, móra, giron, móras, tres-móras, rimódas;
    Chinese: xiang gen cao, Yán láncǎo (tōngchēng) {岩兰草 (通称)}, Xiāng gēn cǎo (香根草);
    Fijian: mulimuli;
    French: vétiver, chiendent odorant;
    Hindi: khas khas, garara;
    Iloko: amóras;
    Maori (Cook Islands): mauku a‘I, a‘I;
    Pampangan: ílib, anías de móras;
    Spanish: zacate violeta, raíz de móras;
    Tagalog: móro, móras;
    Tongan: ahi siaina;
    Malayalam: Ramacham, vettiver;
    Danish: Vetiverrod;
    Italian: Gramigna delle Indie, Gramigna Indiana;
    Kannada: Vetiveru;
    Malayalam: Ramacham;
    Sanskrit: Reshira, Sugandhimuta, Sugandhimula, Ushira;
    Tamil:  Vettiver;
    Telugu: Kuruveru
    Plant Growth Habit Dense, clumping
    Growing Climate  Hot, humid
    Soil Moist
    Plant Size Height: 5 feet
    Lifespan Perennial
    Root Strong, finely structured
    Branches Whorled, jointed, fragile, appressed, ascending, Length: 5-7.5 cm
    Stem Erect, stiff
    Leaf Narrow, linear, grassy, erect, Length: 150 cm (5 ft.); Wide: 8 mm (0.3 inch); Blades: glabrous, narrow, Broad: 5-12 mm, Length:30-90 cm
    Flower Hermaphrodite, brownish to purple
    Flavor/aroma Sweet, pleasant
    Traditional uses
    • The roots are used to treat snakebites, burn and scorpion sting.
    • The root decoction is used to treat weakness.
    • The roots treat rheumatism, headache and sprains.
    • The decoction made from stem is helpful for the infections in urinary tract.
    • The roots treat skin ailments, insomnia, hysteria, amentia, asthma, amenorrhoea, gall stones and kidney problems.
    • It is the treatment for dysuria, fever, fatigue, burning sensation and skin disorders.
     Precautions The use of Vetiver by the pregnant or breast feeding women could result miscarriage.
    How to Eat The roots are used as a flavoring for foods.