Botanic: Vetiver Root (Khus)
Binomial name: Vetiveria zizanioides/Chrysopogon zizanioides. Native to India, grown in other tropical regions.
Scent: dry, earthy, leathery, murky – intense, but at the right dilution it can be wonderfully relaxing and shape-shifty. Find it in my Oak Moss and Vetiver incense sticks.
Function: Vetiver is used as an aromatic in incense making. The whole root or the essential oil can be used.
Something you might not know: Vetiver is a fragrant grass that grows in clumps, and its roots can grow 3 to 5 meters deep, making it a great plant for combating soil erosion. It’s often used in mine rehabilitation and to improve pastoral land.
I use Well Earth Certified vetiver essential oil in my incense, grown in Hati. The Well Earth Program works with companies that use sustainable practices, and provide fair working conditions for their harvesters.
You can find more information about the sourcing process for BURN IT Botanical Incense here.
Check out the previous Botanic Spotlights on Black Frankincense, Australian Sandalwood, Ceylon Cinnamon, Oak Moss and Agarwood.
I make incense at my kitchen table in Melbourne from sustainably harvested Australian sandalwood, as well as tree resins, plants and essential oils.