[Versione italiana dell’articolo – Profumo di Vetiver, radici e interiorità]

Vetiver is a plant known for its roots, and its ability to grow both high and deep makes it particularly interesting from a symbolic point of view.

At the same time, it is also a promising plant in agriculture and soil care. It is capable of consolidating the soil, with roots that can grow up to 4 or 5 metres deep; it withstands low and high temperatures well and there is now extensive research into its use.

From an aromatherapeutic point of view, we know that the essential oil of Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanoides) has anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates circulation and the immune system. In some cultures, this plant is also used as an aphrodisiac perfume.

We could call it a key plant, considering that it can be useful both in summer, for a leg massage if we feel tired and weighed down, as well as in winter, if we need an ‘extra boost’, perhaps by taking a foot bath. Or we could remember some traditional uses in India, where Vetiver is also used to make curtains that spread their perfume when moved by the wind, or fans.

Smelling it, one perceives a deep perfume, with dark, smoky notes. Green notes also come to the nose, and depending on its origin (from Reunion Island, or from India, Haiti, or China, etc.), different nuances occur, ranging from fine vegetable notes to deep, burnt notes. This olfactory oil matures over time, so it can be interesting to smell a Vetiver essential oil even a long time after purchase (remember that Guerlain dedicated a perfume, ‘Vetiver’, to the suggestions received from this plant).

One of the most interesting aspects is related to the emotional and symbolic use of Vetiver: we could say that it is an essential oil for ‘rootedness’, where by rootedness I don’t mean staying where we are, but rather listening to our inner voice to understand where we are in relation to ourselves, and following that voice in our choices.

The depth of Vetiver roots indicates our ability to consolidate our intuitions, and to receive information and nourishment from our ‘inner earth’. At the same time, we note that Vetiver is not a solitary plant, and so the invitation is not to isolate ourselves, but to reach out to that part of ourselves that nourishes us and knows what we need.