Haitian vetiver
The magic of Vetiver can be seen in its unique woody scent that is distinctive, deep, sweet, smoky and earthy. Vetiver is a relatively tall grass with strong roots native to India and Indonesia. It grows wild in the tropics and subtropics such as Reunion Island, India, Brazil, China, Haiti and Java. The scent of vetiver was already highly valued in ancient India. Indian brides received ointment from its roots. The Indians even christened it "Oil of Tranquillity" and believed that it serves as a calming agent in tense situations. Patience is required to obtain the rich aroma of vetiver essential oil, as the distillation process is lengthy. It takes 10 to 20 hours to create a fragrance with woody, smoky and earthy notes.
Haitian Vetiver has a unique sweet fruity side reminiscent of grapefruit. Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) was originally cultivated as a protection against soil erosion in India, from where it was exported to other tropical regions, mainly to Haiti, Java, Madagascar and Réunion. Distillation of vetiver roots from water or steam produces a yellow to brown essential oil with a yield of up to 3%, which smells of wood, grapefruit, smoke and earth, with a ratio of tones depending on the geographical origin of the raw material and the distillation process. Annual oil production is 150 to 200 tons and the main producers are Haiti (50%), Indonesia (25%), China, Brazil and India.
In addition to its aroma, vetiver oil also has a number of useful biological properties: it acts as an antioxidant, insecticidal, fungicidal and antibacterial. For example, it inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus 60-70% more effectively than penicillin.
Description: Vetiver grows to a height of 150 centimetres (5 feet) and forms clumps of equal width. Under favourable conditions, the erect stalks can reach a height of 3 m. The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin and rather stiff. The flowers are brownish purple. Unlike most grasses, which form horizontally spreading, mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, 2 meters (7 feet) to 4 meters (13 feet) deep. Tufted grass Vetiver has a group habit and grows in tufts. Shoots growing from the underground crown make the plant resistant to frost and forest fire and allow it to withstand high grazing pressure.
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USE:
✅Vetiver grass is grown for many purposes. The plant helps stabilize the soil and protects it from erosion, but it can also protect the field against pests and weeds.
✅Vetiver has favourable properties as animal feed.
✅The oil is extracted from the roots and used for cosmetics, aromatherapy, herbal skin care and Ayurvedic soap.
✅Thanks to its fibrous properties, it is useful for handicrafts, ropes and more.
✅Vetiver is part of Ayurvedic medicine and is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune system stimulating.