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10 Recipes with Vetiver Essential Oil
- Hairy vetiver root
Vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanoides) is steam distilled from the root or “rhizome” of the plant. As you can see from the pic above the rhizome is hairy and fine, exposing as much surface area as possible to the surrounding soil. This scent of vetiver is similar to damp soil, although this is a simplification. It is an essential oil that is used extensively in perfume as a “fixative”; bringing all the scents together and binding or fixing them into a cohesive blend. It is used in many scents for men due it’s strong, deep, smoky aroma- but having said that it is also used in women’s perfumes too.
- less IS more via zazzle.com
In aromatherapy it is therapeutically used for many things, and is also used the bind a formula together. I would use 1 drop of vetiver in a formula to make this possible. The most important thing to remember about vetiver is that the scent is so strong, less is more!
One drop is enough in a small oil blend for your body.
Vetiver is sometimes referred to as “The Oil of Tranquility”, especially in India where it is commonly used, and produced. If you just remember this little phrase you will automatically know what to use vetiver oil for – relaxing, de-stressing and being tranquil. It can also be used in hair care and skincare as a moisturiser for dryness.
Let’s check out some recipes;
1. Nourishing Body Oil
For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. It’s always best to patch test first, before you apply all over.
***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.
For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”
“Crocodile Skin”
Remove the scaliness –
Lavender 3 drops
Palmarosa 3 drops
Vetiver 1 drop
“Softly, Gently”
Calm yourself down by oiling yourself up –
Lemon 3 drops
Jasmine 3% 10 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba
Vetiver 1 drop
“Head in the Clouds”
Bring yourself down to earth and get “grounded” –
Lemongrass 3 drops
Roman Chamomile 3% 6 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba
Vetiver 1 drop
2. Hair Mask
Warm 3 teaspoons of oil (either olive or jojoba) and add 7 to 8 drops of essential oil. Massage into your hair from the ends up. Wrap your hair in a towel (or some plastic wrap then a towel). Leave for 1 hour, or overnight, then wash and condition as usual. This is the same ratio for a body oil blend and for more info see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”.
Rosemary 2 drops
Lavender 2 drops
Orange 2 drops
Vetiver 2 drops
3. Scent Your Space
In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil
“Slow it Down Sister”
Chill, be calm
Marjoram 8 drops
Mandarin 8 drops
Spearmint 7 drops
Vetiver 2 drops
“Kids. Driving. Me. Nuts. Help”
Petitgrain 10 drops
Cedarwood Virginian 6 drops
Peru Balsam 6 drops
Vetiver 3 drops
4. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist
In a 50ml mist bottle filled with water add 25 drops of oil
(depending on the packaging you have, you may need to use a little alcohol -like vodka- at the bottom of your bottle first, so the oils disperse into smaller drops to prevent clogging the atomiser top. I’ve found sometimes it works just with water, and sometimes it doesn’t – very annoying!)
“Givin Myself Some Room”
Allow time to relax –
Rosewood 8 drops
Bergamot 8 drops
Ylang Ylang 4 drops
Cinnamon 4 drops
Vetiver 1 drop
“Serenity NOW!”
Orange 10 drops
Rose Geranium 8 drops
Cedarwood Himalayan 5 drops
Vetiver 2 drops
“Sweet Sleep”
Lavender 9 drops
Lime 8 drops
Marjoram 6 drops
Vetiver 2 drops
5. Soak in a bath
I don’t often recommend adding too many essential oils to a bath as they are difficult to disperse and can cause minor skin irritations when combined with the heat of the water. If you do like to use them in a bath, try 4 -6 drops in total and add the drops to another medium like sea salt, coconut milk, other milks or a water dispersible agent.
“Finally Me Time”
Frankincense 3 drops
Vetiver 1 drop
Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.
