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| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit Name |
Vetiveria zizanioides
(Linn.) Nash (Gramineae) /
Andropogon muricatus Retz. /
A.squarrosus Hook. f.,non Linn. f.
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Anatherum zizanioides
(Linn.) Hitchcock & Chase
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Vetiver, Khas-Khas,
Khus-Khus
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Ushira, Reshira,
Sugandhimula |
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| History |
Vetiver has
been known in India from the ancient times. It has been considered
a high-class perfume. Copper plate inscriptions listing the
perfume as one of the articles used by royalty have been discovered.
In Ayurvedic literature it is called 'Suganti-mulaka' (means
Sweet smelling) and 'Sita-mulaka' (having cool roots). All over
India, the roots are made into scented mats, fans, ornamental
baskets and many other small articles. Also burnt as a fumigatory.
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| Habitat |
It is found
throughout the plains and lower hills of India, particularly
on the riverbanks and in rich marshy soil.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
It is a densely
tufted grass. The culms are arising from an aromatic rhizome. The
grass is stout, up to and over 2 m. tall, in dense tufts, with stout
spongy aromatic roots. The leaves are narrow, erect, keeled, glabrous
and its margins are scabrid. The inflorescence is a panicle of numerous
slender racemes in whorls on a central axis. The spikelets are grey-green
or purplish in colour and in pairs. One is sessile and the other is
pedicelled. Those of each pair are more or less alike in shape and
size, different in sex and 2-flowered. The lower floret is reduced
to a lemma. Upper is bisexual in the sessile. Male is in the pedicelled
spikelet, glumes armed with short, tubercle-based spines, lemmas awn-less,
palea minute.
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| Principal
Constituents |
The main constituents
are a- and b-
Vetivone. Zizanal and Epizizizanal were isolated from the oil.
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| Pharmacology |
Zizanal and Epizizanal
exhibited insect repellent activity1.
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| Indications |
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It is widely used
in perfumes and cosmetics, and for scenting soaps. It blends well
with the oils of sandalwood, patchouli and rose. A decoction of the
leaves is recommended as a diaphoretic. When locally applied in rheumatism,
lumbago and sprain, it is a good ambrocation and affords relief. In
Madhya Pradesh, the plant is used as an anthelmintic for children
The oil is reported to be used as a carminative in flatulence, colic
and obstinate vomiting. It is regarded as a stimulant, refrigerant
and antibacterial and when applied externally, it removes excess heat
from the body and gives a cooling effect. A decoction of the leaves
is recommended as a diaphoretic.
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| Product
Range |
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PureHands,
Renalka, Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Baby Powder, Gentle Baby Shampoo, Purifying Mud Pack, Protein
Shampoo for oily/greasy hair.
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| Reference |
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Tetrahedron Lett., 1982, 23, 4639.
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