Vetiver Root
Explore vetiver root benefits, traditional uses and modern research on Khus for hair, scalp, skin, fragrance and everyday wellness.
Origin
Northeastern India through Indochina, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. (Plants of the World Online)
Traditional wisdom
Cooling, aromatic and traditional medicinal applications; also used in summer cooling rituals and perfumery.
Why Soumm chose it
Traditional inclusion in hair and scalp preparations; direct hair-fibre and hair-growth evidence remains limited.
Quick facts
- Botanical name
- Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) RobertyVetiveria zizanioides is a widely used synonym.
- Common names
- Khus; Vetiver; Khus-khus; Ushira/Uśīra
- Source type
- Perennial aromatic grass
- Part used
- Roots
- Natural constituents
- Khusimol, α-vetivone, β-vetivone, vetiselinenol, isovalencenol and other sesquiterpenes, alongside phenolic compounds. (PubMed Central (PMC))
- Scalp relevance
- Potential antioxidant and antimicrobial relevance based mainly on experimental research.
- Evidence status
- Strong traditional and aromatic relevance; promising preclinical research, but insufficient clinical evidence for direct hair-growth claims.