Get To Know Vetiver Essential Oil

Learn more about the benefits of vetiver essential oil

Vetiver, latin name Vetiveria zizanioides, is a lesser known essential oil with numerous benefits; used primarily in aromatherapy to help support relaxation and de-stressing, there is so much to be gained from adding this earthy, rich and grassy essential oil to your wellness tool kit.

Vetiver essential oil, sometimes referred to as ‘the oil of tranquility’ because of its’ deeply calming effects, is largely produced in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Though vetiver has stiff, grassy stalks that are sometimes used to weave durable and aromatic mats, it’s the dense and tangled root system that yields vetiver essential oil. The essential oil itself once distilled is very thick, with a dark reddish-brown color and an aroma of deep earth, with woody and smoky notes. Because of its highly aromatic nature, only very small amounts of vetiver essential oil are indicated for use.

When considered for supporting the spirit, vetiver can be used to help connect oneself to the earth and to nature, which is the source of human strength. Used to ground spiritual awareness in the body, to ease the mind and nurture the body, read on to learn more about the ways you can add products containing this warm and balancing essential oil to your wellness routine.

Vetiver essential oil to help put you to sleep at night

We know that one of the most important ways our body helps itself heal and repair is through sleep. There is no shortage of good evidence that a restful night’s sleep can do everything from supporting your digestion to your energy levels. As the article above points out, “sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety”. While the importance of good quality rest cannot be overstated, we know that many of us still struggle with tossing, turning and restlessness that prevents us from getting the deep sleep we need. Enter: vetiver essential oil. Because it’s renowned for its ability to induce calm, tranquility and feelings of restfulness, it’s often included in preparations that were formulated for those exact reasons.

Products we love:

Sleep Well roll-on: this product has been a best seller for us here at Saje for well over 10 years, and with good reason. Many, many people report that being able to put their body and mind into a state of peacefulness, free from racing thoughts and worries is just what they need to help support their nighttime routine. This product is formulated with all sorts of powerhouse ingredients to help put you at ease; valerian, one of the most prized herbs for rest, leads the way in this musky and sweet blend, followed closely by chamomile to sweeten and soothe, lavender to balance the emotions and vetiver to help you feel deeply grounded. Try applying to the wrists, throat, temples and pulse points before bedtime.

Sleep Well body butter: for many people, having a series of nighttime rituals can help signal the body and mind that it’s time for rest. Many people prefer bathing or showering at nighttime, as the warm water can help set the tone for soothing. This body butter was formulated to provide two main benefits; the first being hydration and nourishment for the skin and the second being tranquility and calm for the body and mind. All of our body butters are formulated with rich, nurturing base ingredients like shea butter, mango seed butter and cocoa seed butter, and are then blended with restorative essential oils like calming valerian, soothing marjoram and balancing vetiver. Smooth onto skin before bedtime as desired and get ready to drift off to dreamland.

Yoga roll-on: one of the most effective ways we can begin to introduce rest to the body is through grounding and harmonizing mindfulness practices like stretching and yoga. The Yoga line of products was developed to help you find your center wherever you go, with the stabilizing, uplifting and balancing properties of earthy, floral and sweet essential oils like patchouli, neroli and vetiver. Try applying behind the ears, along the sides of the neck, along the wrists and elbow creases to help encourage feeling in a state of peace.

Vetiver essential oil for helping to relieve symptoms of stress

Following closely behind the importance of sleep is the importance of keeping our stress symptoms managed and reduced wherever possible. Stress shows up in so many ways; we feel physically tense or restless, our mind races with worries, nervous chatter and intrusive thoughts, or we might find ourselves staring at the ceiling hours after we’ve climbed into bed at night. We want to share a few of the products we use to help us stress less.

Products we love:

Stress Release roll-on: the star of the show in this blend is lavender, one of the most well reputed essential oils in aromatherapy to positively impact symptoms of stress by having a calming and relaxing effect on the body and mind. Even the smell of this floral and herbaceous essential oil is all some people need to feel at ease! We’ve blended lavender alongside some other highly effective oils like vetiver, clary sage, orange and roman chamomile to encourage feelings of relaxation and peacefulness. We love a breathing exercise we’ve called a Saje Breath to experience the full effects of Stress Release: roll a generous amount of product onto the palm of your clean hand, rub your hands together to create heat and activate your essential oils, make a cupping shape over your nose and mouth and breathe deeply. We love the 4-4-4 method; breathe deeply in through the nose for four seconds, hold at the top of the breath for four seconds, and exhale out through the mouth for four seconds. We suggest 3-5 breaths, or whatever feels right for you.

Stress Release diffuser blend: when you’re looking to feel calmed, uplifted and balanced, reach for this blend of grounding essential oils to soothe feelings of stress and to help you feel at ease. Formulated with sweet, cheerful orange, restlessness-reducing roman chamomile and deeply relaxing vetiver, diffusing this blend after a tough day or in the evening to help you unwind can make such a big difference in your mood and overall well-being. Add 10-15 drops to a diffuser of your choice and feel your stress start to slip away.

Vetiver essential oil for keeping your body smelling fresh

Vetiver, with its sharp and woody aroma is a common ingredient in colognes, perfumes and personal care products. Because it blends so well with other essential oils like tree scents, citruses and florals, there are limitless options for creating fresh and clean scented products that are also effective at keeping your body feeling deodorized and cared for.

Products we love:

Peaceful Warrior crystal spray deodorant: this fan-favorite formula, winner of FASHION Magazine’s annual beauty awards in 2018, is one of our best selling body care products, bar none. Designed to help conquer unwanted odors due to perspiration, this rich and earthy blend of sandalwood, patchouli, fennel and vetiver was formulated to help keep you fresh and confident as you go about your day. Mist 2-3 times under each arm as desired, and rest assured this 100% natural deodorant absorbs easily, isn’t sticky, won’t clog your pores or stain your clothes. Go ahead and feel fresh!

Skin So Smooth body bar: this product was designed so that you could add extra hydration to the extra dry parts of your body, like elbows, knees and feet. When you want to help nourish your skin after the potentially damaging or irritating effects of hair removal or over-exfoliation, simply twist up and apply directly to skin using long strokes. For a lighter application, use soft pressure and use firmer pressure for a more saturated application.

Vetiver essential oil to help scent the air in your home

The last way that we want to highlight the use of this unique and highly beneficial essential oil is as a 100% natural, artificial fragrance-free scent for the home. As mentioned above, vetiver essential oil can be blended with so many other essential oils to create personalized and distinctive diffuser blends to suit any taste or preference.

Products we love:

Rainforest diffuser blend: a well-loved blend of purifying, fresh and woody aromas is our nature-inspired Rain Forest. Bring the rejuvenating feeling of a walk in the forest indoors with this blend of clearing and freshening essential oils like balsam fir, pine, vetiver and cedarwood. The next best thing to being outdoors, let Rain Forest take you on a path to wellness. We love Rain Forest anytime we’re looking for that just-came-home-from-a-weekend-hike-feeling.

Present Moment diffuser blend: invite calming, warming and centering feelings into your space with this uplifting yet grounding blend. A unique combination of essential oils, citruses like grapefruit and orange meet woodsy and earthy scents like sandalwood, vetiver and frankincense for a scent experience that will leave you feeling focused and centered. We love Present Moment during a meditation, yoga class or session with our journal.

After The Rain diffuser blend: like the freshness you feel after a rain shower, this stimulating yet grounding medley creates a blissful, earthy escape from the everyday. Formulated with citrusy and uplifting bergamot, cooling and fresh peppermint, grounding and woodsy balsam fir alongside centering and balancing vetiver, this blend is sure to leave your space feeling exhilarated. We love After The Rain on a grey, cloudy day when we’re looking to feel boosted.

How will you use vetiver essential oil?

We hope you’ve learned some new ways to incorporate this rich, musky and warming essential oil into your daily practices!