Vetiver is an environmental superhero

Vetiver, botanical name Vetiveria zizanioides, is a tropical grass species renowned for its rich essential oil. Many of your favorite perfumes contain Vetiver oil as a base note. In fact, vetiver plants were originally introduced to Haiti by French perfumers. doTERRA Vetiver essential oil comes from the roots of vetiver plants grown in Haiti. The areas where vetiver grows have been affected by deforestation and erosion. Consequently, the soil where vetiver is grown is often poor.

Fortunately, the vetiver plant thrives in difficult conditions due to two key qualities. First, its roots are dense, extensive, and grow straight down, which allows it to hold a lot of soil in place. This protects both the plant and the land from erosion.

Second, there are several studies that show that vetiver uniquely thrives in heavy metal-rich soils. In a process called “phytoremediation,” the Vetiver plant leaches, or takes up, heavy metals from the soil, returning the soil to a healthy state. Studies have shown that even in soil extensively contaminated by heavy metals no DNA damage is evident in the plants. Because of these properties, researchers are investigating its utility in cleaning up mining waste, which often contains various heavy metals. But don’t worry about heavy metals in our Vetiver oil. We conduct sophisticated tests to ensure all our oils are safe.

Vetiver is an amazing plant with an equally stunning essential oil. 

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