Vetiver Hydrosol

Vetiver Hydrosol smells much more like a diluted version of its corresponding essential oil than a number of other hydrosols. It is woody, smoky, earthy, herbaceous and spicy.

Botanical Name

Vetiveria zizanoides

Aromatic Strength

Medium

Shelf Life

Up to 2 years if stored properly (refrigeration is recommended).

Reported Properties, Uses and Applications

Not much is reported about the potential uses for Vetiver Hydrosol, but I personally find it remarkably grounding and calming. It can be considered masculine, and its woody, smoky aroma lends itself well to formulations for men. Len and Shirley Price report that the Vetiver Hydrosol that they analyzed consists of 19% eucalyptol, 31-33% alcohols, 34-35% ketones (these ranges do not include the water present in the hydrosol) and possesses the following properties: "analgesic, anticoagulant, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bactericidal, calming, cicatrizant, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, lipolytic, mucolytic, sedative, stimulant." [Len Price and Shirley Price, Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy: A Guide for Health Professionals (London: Churchill Livingstone, 2004), 114.]

Safety Information

Read AromaWeb's Hydrosol Safety Guidelines.

Helpful Sources of Information About Vetiver Hydrosol

Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy
Authors: Len Price and Shirley Price

Aromatic Waters: Therapeutic, Cosmetic, and Culinary Hydrosol Applications
Author: Amy Kreydin