Vetiver Essential Oil

Vetiver Essential Oil (Chrysopogon zizanioides): Steam Distilled Deep Earthy Oil for Perfumery, Attars, Diffuser, Soap and Body Care

Vetiver Essential Oil, also called khus oil, is steam distilled from the roots of Chrysopogon zizanioides, with a deep, earthy, smoky and woody aroma that lasts for hours. It is used as a base note and fixative in perfumes and attars, and in diffusers, body oils, soaps and candles. It is a thick, amber to dark brown liquid with a two year shelf life, and COA and MSDS are available on request.

Vetiver Essential Oil is the aromatic oil recovered from the roots of the vetiver grass by steam distillation. RV Organica’s Vetiver Essential Oil is an Indian-origin, amber to dark brown, viscous liquid with a rich, rooty scent, packed at our facility in Nimbri, Panipat, Haryana, and offered in sizes from 30 ml to 25 kg.

What is vetiver essential oil and how is it made?

Vetiver is a tall, clumping grass with a dense mass of fibrous roots, known in India as khus. Its roots have been used for centuries in woven screens, cooling preparations and perfumery. For the oil, the roots are dug up, cleaned and dried, and steam is passed through them for many hours. The steam carries the heavy aroma compounds away, and when it cools, the oil separates from the water and is collected. No solvents are used. The botanical name was formerly Vetiveria zizanioides, and both names refer to the same plant.

Our specification lists khusimol at 10 to 15 percent and α-vetivone at 5 to 10 percent, along with β-vetivone and isovalencenol. These heavy sesquiterpene compounds give vetiver its deep, smoky-sweet earthiness and its extraordinary staying power. ISO 4716:2013 describes quality characteristics for vetiver oil from regions such as Réunion, Haiti and Indonesia, and Indian vetiver has a profile of its own, so the COA for your batch is the document to read for exact values.

What does vetiver essential oil smell like?

Vetiver smells deep, earthy and woody, with a smoky, slightly sweet, rooty character like damp soil after rain and a hint of dried grass and leather. It is rounder and cleaner than patchouli and more elegant than nagarmotha. It dries down slowly and stays on skin and fabric for a very long time, which is why perfumers rely on it as a base note and fixative.

How do you use vetiver essential oil in perfumery and attars?

Vetiver is a foundation note for both masculine and unisex perfumes. It adds depth, steadies lighter ingredients and extends the life of a blend. It pairs naturally with sandalwood, patchouli, cedarwood, rose, jasmine, lavender, frankincense and ylang ylang. Use it in roll-ons, solid perfumes, incense blends and attar-style compositions, and explore our attars collection for ideas on traditional blending. The scent is strong, so a small amount is enough.

How do you use vetiver essential oil in a diffuser?

The oil is thick and slow to pour, so warm the closed bottle gently in a bowl of warm water to make it easier to measure. Add one or two drops to a diffuser for a deep, grounding, forest-floor aroma. It suits meditation corners, studies, bedrooms and cool evenings, and it combines well with lavender or sandalwood for a softer, rounder atmosphere. Clean the diffuser regularly, because thick oils can leave a residue.

How do you use vetiver essential oil in body oils and massage blends?

Always dilute vetiver oil before it touches the skin. It dissolves in alcohol and fixed oils but not in water, so mix it into a carrier oil first. The right ratio depends on how much you are making and where it will be used, and our essential oil dilution calculator works it out for you. Once diluted, it gives massage oils, body oils, balms and bath products a deep, earthy and lasting fragrance. Do a patch test first and avoid direct sunlight on treated skin.

Can you use vetiver essential oil in soap and candles?

Yes. In soap and body care bases, add it at the level your formulation recommends. Its dark colour can tint pale bases, so test a small batch first. In candles, test a small batch as well, because heavy, thick oils can behave differently in wax and scent throw changes with wax type and wick size. Vetiver works especially well in woody, masculine and spa-style candle and soap blends.

What are the specifications of vetiver essential oil?

The botanical name is Chrysopogon zizanioides, the CAS number is 8016-96-4 and the FEMA number is 3101. The oil has a relative density of 0.988 at 25°C, a refractive index of 1.519, a flash point above 100°C, an acid value of up to 5.0 mg KOH/g and moisture content of up to 0.5 percent. It is a thick, viscous liquid, amber to dark brown, with a characteristic earthy, smoky, woody and deep rooty odour. The shelf life is two years, and the oil is soluble in alcohol and fixed oils and insoluble in water.

How should you store vetiver essential oil?

Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct sunlight. Cool storage thickens the oil further, which is normal, and gentle warming in warm water restores its flow. Unlike most essential oils, vetiver often improves with time, but close the cap straight after each use to protect the aroma. Stored well, the oil keeps its quality for the full two year shelf life.

Is vetiver essential oil safe to use?

Vetiver essential oil is for external use only. Do not ingest it. Always dilute it in a carrier oil before applying it to the skin, do a patch test first, and avoid direct sunlight on treated skin. Keep it away from children and pets, and consult a doctor before use if you are pregnant or nursing. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Can you buy vetiver essential oil in bulk?

Yes. The oil is available in 30 ml, 100 ml, 500 ml, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg and 25 kg packs, which suits home users, perfumers, attar makers and manufacturers. COA and MSDS can be requested for each batch. For wholesale or private label enquiries, write to info@rvorganica.com.

About RV Organica

RV Organica is the brand of RV International, an essential oil manufacturer in India based at Nimbri, Panipat, Haryana 132104. Our work is backed by ISO 22000, Halal, Kosher, HACCP and MSME registration. For questions about this oil or bulk supply, contact us at info@rvorganica.com or +91 8937003005