Vetiver
Profile
| Latin Name | Vetiveria zizanoides |
| Chinese Name | Not Known |
| Family | Gramineae |
| Note | Base (long-lasting, excellent fixative) |
| Aroma | <Strong>, Woody |
| Color | Amber to Dark Red Brown |
| Parts Distilled | Dried Root |
| Regions | Central America, Comoro Islands, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Reunion |
| Taste | Spicy, Bitter |
| Nature | Cooling |
| Affinity | LR, HT |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Sesquiterpenols (vetiverol) |
| Skin Type | Oily & Dry, Mature (skin regenerative) |
| Dosage | 8% dilution |
Used as a fixative in blends (see Fixatives).
TCM Categories
Functions
- Nourish and invigorate the blood
- Clear heat in the blood and calm the shen (release fear)
- Regulate liver qi and tones the sinews (i.e., strengthen connective tissue)
Indications
- Blood Heat (PC-6, BL-17, SP-10, LI-11, SP-4)
- Liver Qi Stagnation manifesting in the Sinews for tightness (GB-34, LR-14, LR-3)
Topical Applications
- Apply as a liniment to sprains and weak muscles.
Specific Protocols
- 8% dilution of Vetiver (40%), Rose (10%), Patchouli (20%), and Lavender (30%) for Heat in the Blood level.
- 8% dilution of Vetiver (40%), Jasmine (10%), Coriander (30%), and Carrot Seed (20%) for Deficient Blood.
Actions
- Circulatory stimulant (venous & arterial)
- Immuno-stimulant
- Emmenagogue (a substance that stimulates or increases menstrual flow)
- Nervine
- Antispasmodic
Contraindications & Cautions
- None
Notes
- Often in men's cologne
- It slows the evaporation of top notes
- Strong to root the mind
- A sense of belongingness
- Release clinging to a part of themselves, grow beyond that
- For liver yang rising
- For repressed anger
- Similar to Dang Gui
- Subtle non flowery scent
- Strongly relaxes the sinews
- EO with biggest range nourish blood, invigorate blood, remove heat in the blood, and calm shen
- Enhances a sense of belongingness
- To enhance one's awareness of one's environment
- For fear of being in public
- For someone who is searching too hard for a role model
- For someone clinging to identity, though overuse can create over-attachment to the story of who you think you are
- Strongly helps to root the mind
- For repressed anger
- For LR yang rising
- Helps recovery from deficiency, to allow things to move smoothly again
Additional Comments
- Vetiver is a fixative
From Class
- Remission blend (ylang ylang, vanilla, vetiver, frankincense, violet): Ylang ylang (~60%) nourishes yin and relaxes the liver; vanilla (~20%) tonifies spleen/stomach; vetiver, frankincense and violet share ~20%; no top note needed when not expelling. (Yuen)
- Vetiver (?): Oil that resonates with BL-19 Danshu; apply a drop on the point. (Yuen)