In praise of Vetiver Oil

A Vetiver oil is steam distilled from the rhizomes of vetiveria zizanoides (aka Chrysopogon zizanioides. About 250 tonnes are produced annually.A very nice oil comes from madagascar. The main production areas are china, java and haiti. More on the oil contents (vetyvenene, khusmol+vertivone, isovalencenol, zizanoic acid and valencene) can be found on the wiki article by searching under Chrysopogon zizanioides.

 Personally I recommend vetiver oil in a mix for stress related anxiety and sleeplessness. It is used very sparingly as the aroma is very earthy, woody, smoky, herbaceous, spicy and strong all at the same time. For example if you are massaging with a stress and strains mix you might add half a drop of vetiver to the diluted mix in your cupped hand before applying to the hands and forearms of the client. This is an oil to use at home in the evening.

 Dont be suprised if the client immediately wants to sleep and sleeps very soundly indeed so not ideal if they (and you) plan to drive immediately afterwards! A diluted drop of bergamot in the morning bath will counter the tranquilising effects of the stress and strains mix+vetiver from the night before all ready for the day! If you are trying several essential oils at once leave inhaling the vetiver until last. The nose can be cleared by smelling instant coffee grounds and you are good to go again.