Description of the Plant
Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family, native to India. It is popularly known as khus.
Morphology
The vetiver grass lives in bunches. Shoots growing from the underground crown make the plant frost and fire resistant and allow it to survive heavy grazing pressure. The leaves can become up to 120-150 centimetres long and 0.8 centimeters wide.The plant stems are erect and stiff and can persist deep water flow. The root system of vetiver is finely structured and very strong,which grows 3–4 meters deep within the first year.
Useful parts of the herb
Roots
Uses
Erosion control
The downward growing roots makes vetiver an excellent stabilizing hedge for stream banks, terraces, and rice paddies, and protect soil from sheet erosion. As roots bind to the soil, it cannot dislodge. The plant also penetrates and loosens compacted soils.
Runoff mitigation and water conversation
The close-growing culms also help to block the runoff of surface water. It slows water's flow velocity and thus increases the amount absorbed by the soil (infiltration).
Vetiver mulch increases water infiltration and reduces evaporation, thus protects soil moisture under hot and dry conditions. The mulch also protects against splash erosion.
Crop protection
Vetiver can be used for crop protection. It attracts pests such as the stem borer (Chilo partellus), which lay their eggs preferably on vetiver. The larvae can not move on the leaves due to hairs, hence fall to the ground and die.
As a mulch, vetiver is used for weed control in coffee, cocoa and tea plantations.
Animal feed
The leaves of vetiver are a useful byproduct to feed cattle, goats, sheep and horses.
Perfumery and aromatherapy
Vetiver is mainly cultivated for the fragrant essential oil distilled from its roots. Due to its excellent fixative properties, vetiver is used widely in perfumes.
Medicinal use
Vetiver has been used in traditional medicine in S.Asia, S.E.Asia, and W.Africa.
In-house use
Khus (vetiver roots) is often used to replace the straw or wood shaving pads in evaporative coolers. Otherwise vetiver cooler perfume or even pure khus attar can be added to the tank. These do not catch fire as easily, while wood shavings catch fire easily.
Mats made by weaving vetiver roots and binding them with ropes/cords are used to cool rooms in a house during summer. They are hung in a doorway and kept moist by spraying with water periodically. They cool the passing air and emit a cool and refreshing aroma.
In the hot summer months a muslin sachet of vetiver roots is tossed into the earthen pot that keeps household's drinking water cool and aromatic. Khus scented syrups are sold.
Fuel cleaning
Dr. Nativ Dudai from volcanic institute in Israel found out that the plant is ca
pable of growing in a fuel-contaminated ground and is able to clean the ground, which makes the soil almost fuel-free.
Other uses
Vetiver grass is used as roof thatch, mud brick making for housing construction, strings and ropes and ornamentals (the light purple flowers).
Crop Management
In general, vetiver is highly tolerant to herbicides and pesticides.
Medicinal Properties of the Plant as per Ayurveda
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, burning sensation, hyperdipsia, ulcer, skin diseases, vomiting nausea, flatulence, dyspepsia, colic, cough, fever, low back pain, headache and general debility.
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