An essential oil is steam-distilled from the dried, chopped roots. The oil is known as Vetiver or Vetivert and Khus khus, Khas khas, or Oil of Tranquility in India.
Healing to skin, this oil repels insects and reduces stress and tension. The aroma is rich, woody, earthy and sweet. It improves with age. Vetiver oil is used extensively in perfumery for its fixative effects as well as its fragrance.
Vetiver is native to the Indian subcontinent, but is widely cultivated in Indonesia, the West Indies, Africa and Polynesia.
Vetiver was used in early ayurvedic medicine in India. Vetiver is closely related to other fragrant grasses such as Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii).
[Wikipedia]
** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **