First documented in the 12th century the herb and essential oil vetiver have been in use in many different cultures across around the world. It is no coincidence that this herb was widely used.  It has been shown to offer properties that are uplifting, soothing, healing, calming and shielding. The most traditional use of Vetiver oil in the Middle Ages is its use in scents along with lime and rosewood.  Scholars have found the transcription ‘Oil of tranquility’ in ancient Hindu referring to vetiver in India and Sri Lanka.

One of the world’s oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems, the Ayurvedic treatment, was developed over 3,000 years ago in India. Healers believed that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The treatment used the essential oil to treat the imbalances of a person’s constitution and healing disorders like muscular aches, fevers, arthritis pain, loss of energy, heat strokes, joint disorders, skin problems, headaches and to cool the body during extremely high temperatures. Vetiver essential oil was even used in massaging brides to sanctify them before their marriage.

The ancient Chinese felt that vetiver was a balancing agent.  They felt that it was high in calmative powers that cooled the body’s system, energized brain cells, stabilized emotions, invigorate dry skin and pacify harmful thoughts.  Farmers used vetiver roots as a substitute to straw or wood shaving pads in evaporative coolers. Today, we still use vetiver essential oil for its healing benefits, below are how they continue to balance us:

The inhalation on the limbic system (responsible for reason and choices, among other things) make it a perfectly suited remedy and tool for conditions like ADHD and anxiety.

The inhalation on the limbic system (responsible for reason and choices, among other things) make it a perfectly suited remedy and tool for conditions like ADHD and anxiety.

Vetiver oil cools and soothes and can be applied topically to ease inflammation of the joints and the skin and is especially useful to those with rheumatoid arthritis and skin inflammation caused by wind and sunstroke.

Vetiver oil cools and soothes and can be applied topically to ease inflammation of the joints and the skin and is especially useful to those with rheumatoid arthritis and skin inflammation caused by wind and sunstroke.

Vetiver cicatrizant properties, meaning it can help to promote the healing of scarring and other marks on the skin.  It nurtures cell growth and production of new tissue. Pregnant women find that it helps reduce the appearance of their stretch marks.

Vetiver bridges the gap between the root chakra and the crown chakra.

Vetiver essential oil is used for calming down an overactive root chakra due to shock or trauma. It may also help promote restful sleep.

Vetiver deep connection to our nervous system is believed to have a direct effect on our subconscious mind, enhancing our dreams, our spirituality and our connection to the Divine, bridging the gap between the spiritual and the physical.