Vetiver oil has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The health benefits of Vetiver Essential Oil can be attributed to its incredible properties as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cicatrisant, nervine, sedative, tonic and vulnerary substance. Vetiver oil is distilled from the plant’s roots, and it has over 100 components. The miraculous compounds of vetiver are khusimene, delta-selinene, beta-vetivenene, cyclocopacamphan-12-ol (epimers A and B), vetiselinenol, khusimol, isovalencenol, khusimone, alpha-vetivone and beta-vetivone.
Recent studies credit vetiver oil for helping with symptoms of ADHD and ADD.
Vetiver and ADHD
Vetiver is known as a calming oil. In a case study, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by Dr. Terry S. Friedmann, M.D., A.B.H.M, three essential oils (Lavender, Cedarwood and Vetiver) were tested on subjects. All of the oils were useful but they did not all perform the same. Vetiver and Cedarwood stood out in this study. The participants that received vetiver had a remarkable 100% improvement in performance.
A study posted to the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology has looked at the direct effects that inhaling vetiver essential oil has on the brain. Participants who inhaled vetiver essential oil showed an increase in their attention levels, and this was reflected in measurements of brain activity.
Vetiver and Autism
Did you know that Essential oils can bring balance to the cellular level? Vetiver essential oil contains high levels of sesquiterpenes which deliver oxygen to the cells in the brain which may be beneficial to children with ADHA and Autism. Vetiver oil helps to subdue an overactive, or stressed mind, is also responsible for stimulating the immune system and and supporting the nervous system.