Contrary to what many believe, vetiver is not a tree species, but a sweet grass. The fragrance used in perfume is obtained from the roots of the grass after several years of ripening. Olfactorily, vetiver is very complex. It presents facets of earthy, moist, woody and smoky at the same time. There are often some regional differences in the scent as well. Probably the best known vetiver comes from Haiti and impresses with its "clean and smooth" touch.
Besides its use in perfume production, vetiver has several other applications. For example, because of its dense root network, it is specifically planted wherever there is a risk of soil erosion. The roots also keep the soil moist and can detoxify it to a certain extent. Therefore, in Southeast Asia, vetiver is planted on the one hand to improve the soil, and on the other hand as a field border.
In some hot regions, vetiver is also woven into blinds and mats, which not only smell wonderful when the wind blows through them but are also said to have cooling properties.
Comments