Vetiver Oil (Vettiver / Khus) — Pure Steam-Distilled

Pure Vetiver Oil (Vettiver / Khus) — an aromatic oil steam-distilled from hand-harvested vetiver roots grown in Tamil Nadu — the heartland of Indian vetiver. Deep, smoky and earthy, it is one of the great base notes of Indian perfumery and a classical cooling herb in Siddha and Ayurveda. This is a concentrated essential oil for external and diffuser use only. It is not a cooking oil.

Key Benefits

• Traditionally valued as a cooling aromatic — known as Ushira in Ayurveda, classified sheeta virya (cold potency) and cited in the Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas as Pitta-pacifying.
• A grounding base note in aromatherapy — its earthy, woody aroma is widely used in diffuser blends intended to support relaxation and a settled bedtime routine.
• Traditionally used in skincare preparations — appears in classical formulations such as Kumkumadi thailam and in modern blends for oily, blemish-prone skin.
• Naturally rich in sesquiterpenes — laboratory studies report antioxidant activity for vetiver oil constituents.
• A traditional Indian summer household aromatic — vetiver roots have been woven into khus tattis (window screens) for centuries to cool and perfume incoming air.
• A classic perfumery fixative — a small quantity anchors and extends a blend, and the aroma mellows and deepens with age.

Important Safety Information

For external use only. Do not ingest. Never apply undiluted to skin — dilute to 0.5–3% in a carrier oil (1–3 drops per 10 ml) and patch-test first. Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children and pets. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication, consult a qualified practitioner before use. Discontinue immediately if any irritation occurs.

Key Active Constituents

Botanical name: Chrysopogon zizanioides (syn. Vetiveria zizanioides). Part used: root. Method: steam distillation. 100% pure and undiluted — no carrier oil, no fragrance additives. Over 300 volatile compounds identified, approximately 50% sesquiterpenes.

How to Use

• Diffuser: 2–4 drops. Blends beautifully with sandalwood, lavender, rose, cedarwood and ylang-ylang.
• Massage blend: 1–3 drops per 10 ml of a carrier oil such as sesame, coconut or jojoba.
• Facial serum: 1 drop per 10 ml carrier, for oily or blemish-prone skin.
• Perfumery: a base note and natural fixative for attars and blends.
• Home fragrance: soap making, candles, pillow and linen mists.
• Wardrobe: a drop on a cotton ball as a natural, moth-deterring drawer fragrance.

Storage Instructions

• Store in the amber glass bottle supplied, tightly capped, away from light and heat.
• No refrigeration needed. A cool, dark cupboard is ideal.
• Shelf life 4–8 years — one of the longest of any essential oil. Vetiver is generally regarded as improving with age.
• The oil is naturally thick and viscous — this is a sign of authenticity, not a defect.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Certifications & Compliance

• Manufactured and labelled under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 (Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940).
• Batch-wise GC-MS Certificate of Analysis available on request — our guarantee against adulteration.
• Packed and labelled per Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011.
• Organic certification: NPOP / PGS-India (certificate available on request).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook with vetiver oil or drink it?
No. This is a concentrated aromatic essential oil for external and diffuser use only — it is not an edible oil. For the traditional Tamil cooling drink vettiver neer, use vetiver roots steeped in water, never the essential oil.

How do I use it on skin?
Always dilute. Mix 1–3 drops into 10 ml of a carrier oil such as sesame, coconut or jojoba, and patch-test on your inner forearm first. Never apply neat.

Why does it smell so strong and earthy, and why is it so thick?
Vetiver is distilled from roots, so it is naturally deep, smoky and woody, and viscous like a light syrup. Both are marks of authenticity. It is a base note — one or two drops in a blend will keep developing for hours.

Does it expire?
Vetiver is among the longest-lasting essential oils, typically good for 4–8 years stored in its amber bottle away from heat and light. Many people find the aroma mellows and improves with age.