A thick, almost syrupy oil with a deeply earthy aroma. One of the strongest presences in evening and grounding blends — a single drop is a lot.
This one is also available as a pre-diluted roll-on. For getting started and for carrying in a bag that is the simplest form: there is no carrier oil to mix, and it cannot spill.
Where it comes from
Plant part used: root. Extraction method: steam distillation. Typical origin: Haiti, Indonesia.
Steam distillation means that hot steam passing through the plant carries the volatile compounds with it. The steam is cooled, and the water and the oil separate on their own — the oil floats on top.
What it smells like
Aroma notes: deep, smoky, earthy, very thick.
If you are meeting it for the first time, do not sniff straight into the bottle. Hold it a few centimetres from your nose and waft the aroma towards you — that way the stronger oils will not hit you, and you will pick up the finer notes too.
How people use it
- One drop on the soles of the feet, diluted, before bed.
- In the diffuser with lavender, in very small amounts.
- Diluted on the nape of the neck on harder days.
- Stirred into massage oil.
Recipes
The ratios are worked out, and one drop is roughly five hundredths of a millilitre. Where a companion oil is listed, feel free to swap it for whatever you have at home — the drop counts stay the same.
Evening pillow mist
What you get: 60 ml of mist, about two weeks’ worth.
- Into a 60 ml spray bottle, put 1 teaspoon of plain alcohol or witch hazel.
- Add 8 drops of Vetiver and 4 drops of Adaptiv, and swirl to combine.
- Top up with distilled water, then close it and shake.
- After making the bed, mist the pillowcase and the edge of the duvet from about twenty centimetres away.
Always shake before use: essential oil and water separate on their own. In dark glass, kept cool, it stays fresh for two weeks.
Bedtime foot oil
What you get: 10 ml, about two weeks’ worth.
- Fill a 10 ml bottle with fractionated coconut oil, roughly up to the shoulder.
- Add 4 drops of Vetiver — that is a two per cent blend.
- Close it and turn it over a few times.
- Before bed, massage some into the soles of your feet and pull on socks.
The skin on the soles is thick, which makes it one of the gentlest places to apply oil. For a child, half the drops is plenty.
Palm blend for a deep breath
What you get: 5 ml, lasts a long time.
- Put fractionated coconut oil into a 5 ml bottle.
- Add 2 drops of Vetiver and 1 drop of Adaptiv.
- Put a little in your palm and rub it in.
- Hold it in front of your face and take three slow, deep breaths with your eyes closed.
This is the quickest way for an aroma to actually reach you — diffusing is slow by comparison.
What to pair it with
These suit the same situations, so they sit well together in a blend:
- Adaptiv — shared topic: Inner calm
- Bergamot — shared topic: Inner calm
- Cedarwood — shared topic: Inner calm
Safety and storage
Very thick: it drips slowly when cold, so warm it in your palms.
In dark glass, somewhere cool, tightly closed. Heat, light and air all age it: citrus oils keep for roughly one to two years, woods and resins for years. It does not need to go in the fridge, but the bathroom windowsill is the worst place for it.
Questions
How much should I use?
For adults, daily whole-body use usually works out at around two per cent: that is roughly twelve drops in thirty millilitres of carrier oil. For sensitive skin and for children, considerably less. The dilution helper on the home page works out the number of drops for your bottle.
What should I dilute it with?
Fractionated coconut oil is the easiest, because it stays liquid, has no scent of its own and does not go rancid. Sweet almond, jojoba and grapeseed oil are good choices too. Essential oil does not mix with water, so for a bath always disperse it in something fatty or in salt first.
What should I watch out for with this oil?
Very thick: it drips slowly when cold, so warm it in your palms.
How long does it keep?
In dark glass, somewhere cool, tightly closed. Heat, light and air all age it: citrus oils keep for roughly one to two years, woods and resins for years. It does not need to go in the fridge, but the bathroom windowsill is the worst place for it.
Official product information
The section below comes from dōTERRA’s own product information page. It is the manufacturer’s wording — the summary above is ours.
Primary benefits
- The rich, exotic, complex aroma of Vetiver is used extensively in perfumes.
- Used before bedtime to promote a soothing environment.
- Commonly used in massages for its calming effect on emotions.
The manufacturer’s description
Vetiver, a member of the grass family, is grown for many reasons. Unlike other grasses, the root system of Vetiver grows down, making it ideal for helping to prevent erosion and providing soil stabilisation. Vetiver has a rich, exotic, complex aroma that is used extensively in perfumes. Due to Vetiver’s calming, grounding effects, it is an ideal oil to use in massage therapy. It can also be used before bedtime to promote a soothing environment.
Uses
- Fill the bath tub with warm water and add a couple of drops of Vetiver essential oil the water for deep relaxation.
- Apply to bottom of feet before bedtime to help promote a restful environment before sleep.
- Use after a day of standing as part of a soothing massage.
- Blend with Lavender, dōTERRA Serenity or dōTERRA Balance to promote calmness and a grounding effect. BATHTIME RELAXATION Need a little break? Take a Vetiver bath! For best results, fill the bath tub with warm water and then add a couple of drops of Vetiver essential oil. These simple steps will provide you with the ideal bath for deep relaxation. The aromatic benefits of Vetiver oil will also aid in creating a soothing and calming atmosphere.
Directions for use
Topical: For massage, mix 5 drops with 10 ml carrier oil. For bath, mix 5 drops with 5 ml carrier oil. For perfuming, mix 1 drop to 10 drops carrier oil.
