2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Vetiver / Vetiveria zizanoides / is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Gramineae. In Bulgaria, vetiver is also known as Indian cob, and in other parts of the world it is known as ushira, khas-khas, khas, khus, vettivera.
Vetiver has a tall slender stem and narrow, long and strong leaves. The flowers of the Indian cob are colored purple-brown. Most of the herbaceous species form a horizontal root network, but unlike them, vetiver has roots that penetrate to a depth of 3-4 meters. This quality makes it suitable for controlling erosion and strengthening banks and rice terraces.
Vetiver can be seen in India, Indonesia, Haiti, Japan, China, Brazil, Northern California, South America, Spain, Italy and the Reunion Islands. It grows on almost any soil up to 1200 meters. Indian coot can most often be found in the plains and on the banks of rivers. Vetiver can be found not only in the wild. It is mostly cultivated in northern India (Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab) and southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh).
History of vetiver
The vetiver is known mainly for its specific smell. It is characterized by grassy, woody, balsamic, amber and sweet notes. The plant was first used in India. In ancient times, the tribes inhabiting the territory of the country used vetiver for various purposes. In fact, the plant played a very important role in the life of each tribe.
According to legend, one of the names of the herb ushira comes from the word ushi, which was used to refer to the tribe that first touched the therapeutic properties of the plant. As vetiver spread throughout India, it gradually became popular elsewhere in the world. Today it is actively used in medicine, cosmetics, aromatherapy, bioengineering and in people's lives.
Composition of vetiver
Vetiver contains benzoic acid, vetiverol, furfural, and b-vetivon, vetiven, vetivenil and others.
Benefits of vetiver
The scent of vetiver has a beneficial effect on human health. Baths and aromatherapy with vetiver help with depression and insomnia, increase overall emotional stability, regulate bodily functions. The plant is suitable for people with busy daily lives, as it has a calming effect, relieves stress and cures headaches. Indian cob also helps with erection problems and hormonal imbalances.
Vetiver has a cooling, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. It cures inflammation, lowers fever and helps wounds heal faster. The plant has a good effect on ulcers, gastritis and dysentery. In Ayurveda, vetiver is used to treat malaria, arthritis, rheumatism, muscle strain. The plant has a moisturizing and firming effect.
In the past, noble women immersed themselves in baths with vetiverto restore the elasticity of your skin and the grace of your figure after birth. Indian cob has a proven effect against wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite and any bumps, inflammation and swelling on the skin. It is also used as an insect repellent.
Ancient Indian chronicles say that vetiver was once used as an aphrodisiac. It had the ability to cure frigidity and sexual dysfunction by affecting the senses. Indian cob increases blood oxygen levels and promotes estrogen production, making it suitable for menopausal women. Vetiver tones the nervous system. It helps with anxiety, hysteria, constant anxiety, neurosis and constant anger.
The vetiver It is regularly found in moisturizing creams, shower gels, nourishing hair oils, body lotions, soaps, massage oils and perfumes. The aroma of vetiver is combined with ylang-ylang, jasmine, patchouli, lavender, mimosa, rose, orange, tangerine and sandalwood.
Indian cob is used not only for medicinal purposes. Locals in India and Haiti use grass to build roofs and awnings. On the island of Java, carpet or thatched roofs are woven from the roots. This not only provides a great aroma to the room, but also protects against insects.
According to fans of the occult plant has even magical abilities. They believe that a stalk of vetiver can protect a person and his home from black magic and enemies.
Vetiver oil
The vetiver is grown mainly because of the essential oil that is obtained from it. This oil is known as the oil of tranquility, as it has a pronounced calming effect. In addition, it works wonders with dry, furrowed and inflamed skin. To produce cod liver oil, the roots of the plant are harvested between the 18th and 24th month. They are cleaned of impurities and washed.
Then they are dried and crushed. Then they are soaked in water and subjected to steam distillation. As a result of the whole processing, an oil is obtained, which has a brownish or golden color. It looks like a syrup. The resulting product is left for several months until some of the excess notes disappear.
Most vetiver oil is produced in the United States, Europe, India and Japan. The annual production of the product reaches up to 250 tons.
A curious fact is that vetiver does not have the same aroma everywhere, ie. its smell depends largely on where it is grown. For example, a plant of this species that grows in Haiti and the Reunion Islands has a sweeter aroma and richer color than the others. The vetiver from the island of Java has a smoky note. However, according to experts, the highest quality oil is obtained from wild vetiver in northern India.
The aroma of vetiver oil is more associated with men's perfumes. In 1959, Givenchy's incredible Eau de Vetiver was released vetiver, which captivates with its velvety and soothing aroma. Two years later, the iconic men's perfume Vetiver by Jacques-Paul Guerlain appeared on the market, which also has a women's version of Vetiver pour elle.
Another classic men's fragrance with vetiver oil is Vetiver Extraordinare from the Frederic Malle collection, which contains 25 percent of the fragrant plant. The perfume can conquer everyone's heart on its own with its woody, hot notes.
