Poaceae
Vetiver
Chrysopogon zizanioides
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
Also known as: Khus, Vetiver Grass, Cuscus, Ramacham
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Anxiety and stress (aromatherapy — inhalation calms nervous system), ADHD (inhalation — small study), skin conditions, fever. Primarily AROMATIC use. One of most grounding aromatic herbs.
Herbal Actions
Anxiolytic (aromatherapy), antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, ADHD supportive (inhalation)
Active Constituents
Sesquiterpenes (vetiverol, khusimol, beta-vetivene, zizaene, vetiselinenol), cyclopentanoid sesquiterpenes, flavonoids
Preparation Methods
⚗️ Essential Oil🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1 tsp dried root per 250ml, steep 15 min, 2x daily — earthy, smoky flavour |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | Primary use: aromatherapy. Essential oil (2–3% dilution in carrier) for anxiety and grounding. For ADHD: inhalation of vetiver oil studied by Dr Terry Friedmann. Internally: digestive tonic. Deep earthy aroma — base note in perfumery. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Therapeutic internal doses in pregnancy — caution. Otherwise safe.
Side Effects: Rare allergic reactions. Contact sensitization (essential oil). Very well tolerated.