Vetiver
OTHER NAME(S): Brazilian Vetiver, Chiendent des Indes, Chiendent Odorant, Cuscus, Cuscus Grass, Cuseus Grass, Khas, Khas-khas, Khus Khus, Khus-khus Grass, Reshira, Savandara, Sugandhimula, Usheer, Ushira, Vetivergras, Zacate Violeta, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Vetiveria zizanioides, Anatherum zizanioides, Andropogon odoratus, Phalaris zizanioides, Vétiver
Overview
Vetiver is a plant. The root is used to make medicine.
People take vetiver for nerve and circulation problems and for stomach pain. Some women take vetiver to start their periods or to cause an abortion.
Vetiver is sometimes applied directly to the skin for relieving stress, as well as for emotional traumas and shock, lice, and repelling insects. It is also used for arthritis, stings, and burns.
Vetiver is sometimes inhaled as aromatherapy for nervousness, insomnia, and joint and muscle pain.
In manufacturing, vetiver is used as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Ending a pregnancy (abortion).
- Stomach pain.
- Lice.
- Insect repellant.
- Stress.
- Joint pain.
- Muscle plain.
- Insomnia.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of vetiver for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Vetiver is LIKELY SAFE in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if vetiver is safe when used in amounts found in medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if vetiver is safe or what the side effects might be.
When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if vetiver is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Vetiver is LIKELY SAFE in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if vetiver is safe when used in amounts found in medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if vetiver is safe or what the side effects might be.
When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if vetiver is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to take vetiver if you are pregnant. It might cause a miscarriage. It's also best to avoid vetiver if you are breast-feeding. The effects on a nursing infant are unknown.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Vetiver overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of vetiver depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for vetiver. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Agri Res Svc: Dr. Duke's phytochemical and ethnobotanical databases. http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke (Accessed 3 November 1999).
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Brown D. Encyclopedia of herbs and their uses. New York, NY:Dorland Kindersley Publ., Inc., 1995.
- Martinez, J., Rosa, P. T., Menut, C., Leydet, A., Brat, P., Pallet, D., and Meireles, M. A. Valorization of Brazilian vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash ex Small) oil. J Agric.Food Chem 10-20-2004;52(21):6578-6584.
- Amarasiri SS, Attanayake AP, Arawwawala LDAM, Jayatilaka KAPW, Mudduwa LKB. Nephroprotective activity of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash supplement in doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity model of Wistar rats. J Food Biochem 2021;45(9):e13901.
- Shinjyo Y, Midorikawa N, Matsumoto T, et al. Analysis of cell death in Bacillus subtilis caused by sesquiterpenes from Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty. J Gen Appl Microbiol 2022;68(2):62-70.