vetiver
Chrysopogon zizanioides · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (384 studies) · ★★★★★
Vetiver, scientifically known as Chrysopogon zizanioides, is a perennial grass celebrated for its profound medicinal and ecological properties. Renowned for its aromatic roots, it is widely utilized in traditional medicine to soothe the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation, making it a versatile staple in holistic wellness.
Names
Common Names
- Khuskhus Vetiver
- cuscus grass
- khus-khus
- khus-khus grass
- vetiver
- vetiver grass
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Vetiveria zizanioides
- Andropogon muricatum
- Vetiveria odoratissima
- Andropogon muricatus
- Agrostis verticillata
- Vetiver
- Anatherum zizanioides
- Vetiveria odorata
- Pachuli
- Andropogon zizanioides
- Anatherum muricatum
- Phalaris zizanioides
- Andropogon squarrosus
- Vetiveria arundinacea
- Sorghum zizanioides
- Andropogon festucoides
- zacate violeta
- Pasto vetiver
German:
- Vetiver
- Vetiveria zizanioides
- Vetiveröl
- Vetiver-Öl
- Vetyver
- Vetivergras
French:
- chiendent odorant
- vétiver
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Chrysopogon zizanioidesSynonyms
- Anatherum muricatum
- Andropogon zizanioides
- Vetiveria odoratissima
- Vetiveria zizanioides var. tonkinensis
- Phalaris zizanioides
- Holcus zizanioides
- Sorghum zizanioides
- Vetiveria odorata
- Chamaeraphis muricata
- Rhaphis zizanioides
- Andropogon muricatus
- Vetiveria zizanioides
- Vetiveria muricata
- Vetiveria arundinacea
- Anatherum zizanioides
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Poales. Finally, it is a member of the family Poaceae within the genus Chrysopogon.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Poaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Chrysopogon | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented across several countries including Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It is also found within the West Tropical Africa zone in Togo. Furthermore, the species extends its range into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, its occurrence in this central region is noted in Cameroon.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Chrysopogon zizanioides (commonly known as Vetiver), is highly valued for its various medicinal and aromatic components. The most significant part used in therapeutic applications is the roots, specifically the aromatic root system that grows deep into the soil. When processing the root parts, such as the woody rhizomes, one can extract potent essential oils that are prized for their calming and grounding properties. Additionally, while the roots are the primary focus, the leaves also contribute to the plant's overall biological profile and can be utilized in certain traditional preparations.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 6 sources) | ★★★☆☆ |
| root | Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | Journal of conservative dentistry : JCD (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | Biomolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root parts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Chrysopogon zizanioides has 98 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM, Flavonoids, Isokhusenic acid, Khusimol, Saponins.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| CALCIUM | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isokhusenic acid | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Khusimol | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | Saudi journal of biological sciences (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sesquiterpenes | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Khusitene | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,8-Cineole | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,5,6-TRICHLORO-2-PYRIDINOL | Journal of hazardous materials (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ALPHA-PINENE | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Chrysopogon zizanioides has 233 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Antibacterial.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 5 sources) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Dr. Duke (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Chrysopogon zizanioides has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, cancer, colorectal cancer.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | International journal of biological macromolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Enterococcus faecalis | Journal of conservative dentistry : JCD (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Biomolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fungus | Turkish journal of chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| injury | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oral cancer | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| extract | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| aqueous-methanolic crude extract | Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| crude extract | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | Journal of conservative dentistry : JCD (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | Biomolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanolic extract of roots | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroalcoholic extract | Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oil | Chemistry & biodiversity (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyherbal extract | Saudi journal of biological sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |