Vetiver
Vetiveria zizanoides
【Overview】
Important origin | Sri Lanka
Botanical family | Poaceae
Plant scent | A blend of earthy and grassy notes, which may be initially resistant but gradually captivating due to its layered aroma
Extraction part | Roots
Extraction method | Distillation
Preferred from the year-round summer-like climate of Dambulla, Sri Lanka, which experiences a tropical monsoon climate with an average annual temperature of 28℃. Located in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, it offers the sticky loamy soil that Vetiver prefers, along with a rich variety of plant species in the mountainous region.
Vetiver derives from the Tamil word "Vetiverr," meaning "to cut with an axe." Its leaves resemble those of a reed, often forming dense clusters. Vetiver has upright stems with numerous branching, soft and resilient rhizomes (rootstalks) that firmly anchor the plant and contribute to its strength derived from the soil. It is considered a "herbaceous plant with a long root system" as its deep roots can reach lengths of 3 to 4 meters underground.
As a result, the collection and extraction process of Vetiver essential oil are complex and time-consuming. Harvesting workers need to manually dig the extensive root system underground, thoroughly clean them, and then cut them into shorter lengths for drying in a cool place for 1-2 days to enhance the richness of the extracted oil.
【Main Benefits】
◇ Main components｜Sesquiterpenol (50-75%)
Vetiver has a diverse composition, with the main component being vetiselinenol, along with beta-vetivenene, delta-selinene, vetiver esters, alpha-vetivone, beta-vetivone, khusimone, acids, and others. Its aroma is mainly influenced by α-, ß- vetiver ketones and khusimone, described as sweet, woody, and smoky.
【Composition Analysis】
1. Vetiselinenol
It exists in four different isomers and is collectively known as vetiselinenol in Vetiver essential oil.
As a sesquiterpene alcohol, it possesses characteristics such as regulating resistance, maintaining cellular health, balancing the autonomic nervous system, and promoting overall mind-body balance.
• Benefits: Enhances red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity, strengthens veins, and helps prevent varicose veins.
• Application: Widely used in the chemical industry for sandalwood, violet, various oriental fragrances, woody fragrances, agarwood, rose musk, and as a fixative for mossy scents and the base of certain floral fragrances.
2. β-vetivenene (also known as Vetiverol)
• Benefits: It has calming and soothing effects, can alleviate muscle pain, and nourish the skin.
• Applications: It can be used in various industrial applications such as pharmaceuticals, chemical compounds involved in cellular energy production, and as a stabilizer for cell membranes.
3. α、β- vetivone
α- vetivone
β- vetivone
• Belonging to the group of vetiver ketones, α and β-Vetivone are relatively soft, stable, and nourishing to the nerves, promoting cellular health.
• Benefits: They have calming and soothing effects on the nervous system, can alleviate stress, and improve sleep quality.
• Applications: They are used in the preparation of certain high-value perfumes.
【Market Applications】
◇ Uses / Characteristics
• Respiratory purification, helping to reduce mucus
• Regulating heat stroke and cooling the body in high temperatures
• Free radical regulation
• Regulating skin issues and promoting skin and tissue health
• Alleviating joint problems
• Calming anxiety and nervousness, stabilizing the nerves
• Regulating sleep discomfort symptoms
• Enhancing libido
• Boosting environmental resistance and the nervous system
1. Skincare Products
Benefits: Cleansing and inhibiting bacteria, regulating acne, purifying the skin, repairing fine lines, balancing the skin, soothing wrinkles, and toning the skin.
Examples: Facial soap, cleansing foam, toner, serum, lotion, skin-balancing essence, cream, eye cream, etc.
2. Body Care Products
Benefits: Inhibiting bacteria, restoring skin radiance, promoting skin health, soothing anxiety, and cleansing the scalp from lice.
Examples: Shampoo, body wash, bath products, soothing lotion, scalp care solution.
3. Daily Necessities Products
Benefits: Protecting against cell damage caused by free radicals, repairing skin scars, soothing joint pain, calming anxiety, stabilizing the nerves, promoting sleep, and assisting with decreased libido due to mental and physical stress.
Examples: Soothing massage oil, healing ointment, medicated creams, perfume, aphrodisiacs, etc.
4. Environmental Cleaning Products
Benefits: Repelling and controlling mosquito larvae, acting as insecticides and repellents, serving as a fragrance fixative.
Examples: Purifying sprays, insecticides, repellents, mosquito repellents, perfume industry.
➢ Vetiver extract can renew skin lipids, providing comprehensive anti-aging effects.
➢ A study on an extract containing vetiver has demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.
➢ This research suggests that vetiver extract may interact with neurotransmitters related to anxiety and learning and memory, thereby exhibiting significant anti-anxiety and cognitive-enhancing effects.
【Product Description】
◇ Formula Application/Usage
• Solubility: Lipophilic
• Mixing Method:
Add at room temperature, no additional heating required to avoid prolonged high temperatures.
Add oil-based ingredients to cosmetics before emulsification, and participate in emulsification after mixing.
◇ Precautions
• Please adjust the usage proportion according to individual skin conditions.
• This product is a raw material and is recommended to be diluted before use.
• Perform a patch test on a small area of the skin before applying to the face.
• Please use normal dosage.
References｜
1.De Tollenaere M, et al. Overall renewal ofskin lipids with Vetiver extract for a complete anti-ageing strategy.Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021 Apr;43(2):165-180.
2.Devanathadesikan Seshadri V, et al. In vitroantioxidant and cytotoxic activities of polyherbal extractsfrom Vetiveria zizanioides, Trichosanthes cucumerina, and Mollugocerviana on HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2020Jun;27(6):1475-1481.
3.Matsuo Y, et al. Vetiverianines A, B, and C:Sesquiterpenoids from Vetiveria zizanioides Roots. J Nat Prod.2016 Sep 23;79(9):2175-80.
4.Matsubara E, et al. Volatiles emitted fromthe roots of Vetiveria zizanioides suppress the decline inattention during a visual display terminal task. Biomed Res. 2012;33(5):299-308..
5.Rathnayake H, et al. Comparison of In VitroAntibacterial Activity of Epaltes divaricata and Vetiveria zizanioides againstMethicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Scientifica (Cairo). 2020 Jul14;2020:8239053.
6.Kannappan A, et al. Antibiofilm activityof Vetiveria zizanioides root extract againstmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Microb Pathog. 2017 Sep;110:313-324.
7.David A, et al. Chemical Composition,Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activitiesof Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Essential Oil Extracted byCarbon Dioxide Expanded Ethanol. Molecules. 2019 May 17;24(10):1897.
8.SCCS members, et al. Opinion of theScientific Committee on consumer safety (SCCS) - Final opinion on the safety offragrance ingredient Acetylated Vetiver Oil (AVO) -(Vetiveria zizanioides root extract acetylated) - Submission III.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019 Oct;107:104389.
9.Agronomic and economic evaluation of Vetivergrass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) as means for phytoremediation ofdiesel polluted soils in Israel. Dudai N, et al. J Environ Manage. 2018Apr 1;211:247-255.
10.Burger P, et al. Vetiver Essential Oil in Cosmetics: What IsNew? Medicines (Basel). 2017 Jun 16;4(2):41.
11.Nirwane AM, et al. Anxiolytic and nootropic activityof Vetiveria zizanioides roots in mice. J Ayurveda Integr Med.2015;6(3):158-64.
12.Del Giudice L, et al. The microbial community of Vetiver rootand its involvement into essential oil biogenesis. Environ Microbiol. 2008Oct;10(10):2824-41.
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