Herbs (Global Traditional) · Southeast Asian
Vettiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) (Chrysopogon zizanioides)
Moderate Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) contains khusimol and other sesquiterpenes that modulate inflammatory cytokines and GABA neurotransmission. The root extract demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by increasing IL-10 while reducing IL-6 and TNF-α production.
Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a perennial grass native to India, cultivated in tropical regions including Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Haiti for its aromatic roots. The essential oil is extracted from roots via steam distillation, yielding a sesquiterpenoid-rich oil (93% sesquiterpenoids), while phenolic extracts are obtained from aerial parts and roots using solvents.
Clinical evidence for vetiver is extremely limited, with no completed human RCTs or meta-analyses identified. One registered trial (NCT05024136) is evaluating vetiver essential oil aromatherapy for depression/anxiety, but results are not yet available. Current evidence relies entirely on preclinical studies including in vitro anticancer assays and animal models of arthritis and anxiety.
No clinically studied dosage ranges are available for humans. In vitro anticancer studies used 30-300 µg/mL vetiver oil, while animal studies lacked standardized dosing information. Common preparations include essential oil for inhalation/topical use and ethanolic root extracts. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is not consumed as a food crop, so conventional macronutrient data (protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber per 100g) are not established in standard food composition databases. Its value lies entirely in its bioactive phytochemical profile, primarily extracted from roots and essential oil: **Essential Oil Composition (root-derived):** • Vetiverol (mixture of sesquiterpene alcohols): ~45-65% of essential oil • β-Vetivone: ~3-8% • α-Vetivone: ~2-6% • Khusimol (= zizanol): ~5-15% • Isovalencenol: ~3-9% • Vetiselinenol: ~1-4% • Khusimone: ~1-3% • Vetivenic acid: trace to ~2% • Total sesquiterpene content: >90% of oil composition • Minor constituents include furanoid sesquiterpenes (e.g., zizaene, prezizaene) **Phenolic & Flavonoid Content (root extract, solvent-dependent):** • Total phenolic content: ~18-85 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry extract (varies significantly with extraction solvent — ethanol > water > hexane) • Total flavonoid content: ~8-35 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry extract • Identified phenolics include gallic acid, caffeic acid, and vanillic acid in trace quantities **Minerals (root tissue, approximate):** • Potassium: ~0.8-1.2% dry weight • Calcium: ~0.2-0.5% dry weight • Magnesium: ~0.1-0.3% dry weight • Iron: ~100-400 mg/kg dry weight • Zinc: ~20-60 mg/kg dry weight (Note: Vetiver is known as a hyperaccumulator and values vary enormously with soil conditions; these are not intended for dietary intake.) **Antioxidant Capacity:** • DPPH radical scavenging IC50: ~25-120 µg/mL (ethanolic root extract) • ABTS radical scavenging: moderate activity, comparable to low-potency antioxidant herbs • FRAP values: ~150-400 µmol Fe²⁺/g dry extract **Other Bioactive Compounds:** • Saponins: detected in root extracts (not quantified precisely in most studies) • Tannins: present in moderate concentrations (~1-3% dry weight of root) • Alkaloids: trace or absent • Essential oil yield from roots: ~0.5-3.0% (w/w on dry basis), highly dependent on age of roots (optimal at 12-18 months), distillation method, and ecotype (North Indian 'Khas' type vs. South Indian/Haitian types) **Bioavailability Notes:** • Sesquiterpene compounds are lipophilic with moderate oral bioavailability; absorption is enhanced in oil-based or emulsified formulations. • Phenolic compounds from aqueous or hydroalcoholic extracts have variable bioavailability (estimated 5-20% for simple phenolics like gallic acid). • Vetiver is primarily used via aromatherapy (inhalation), topical application, or as traditional decoctions — not as a caloric food source. Nutritional profiling in the conventional sense is therefore of limited relevance. • Heavy metal bioaccumulation capacity of vetiver roots means sourcing and soil quality are critical safety considerations if any oral preparation is used.
Vetiver's sesquiterpenes, particularly khusimol and vetiverol, modulate inflammatory pathways by inhibiting NF-κB activation and promoting anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine production while suppressing pro-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF-α. The essential oil compounds enhance GABAergic neurotransmission, contributing to anxiolytic effects. Phenolic compounds in the extract may also inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes involved in inflammation.
Animal studies demonstrate vetiver's anti-inflammatory effects in arthritis models with significant cytokine modulation, but human trials are lacking. In vitro studies show anticancer activity against colon and lung cancer cells with IC50 values of 63-168 µg/mL, though this represents very preliminary evidence. Limited behavioral studies suggest anxiolytic properties, but clinical validation in humans remains absent. Current evidence is restricted to preclinical models and requires human studies for therapeutic validation.
Vetiver is generally recognized as safe when used as a fragrance or flavoring agent, but safety data for therapeutic dosages is limited. Topical application may cause skin sensitization in some individuals, particularly with concentrated essential oil preparations. No specific drug interactions have been documented, though theoretical interactions with sedative medications are possible due to GABAergic activity. Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety has not been established through clinical studies.
