What kind of perfume ingredient is this - vetiver? What is the smell like? Vetiver is a grass from the family of cereal plants, a fast-growing perennial that can live up to 50 years or more. The essential oil from this plant is widely used in perfumery. The vetiver is originally from South India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, however, it is currently widely cultivated in various countries of the world, including Reunion, Haiti, Philippines, Japan, Comoros and Polynesia.
Vetiver before and now
In India, vetiver essential oil is an ingredient in perfumes. For a long time, it has been referred to as the "oil of calm." It was also a common ingredient in powder incense in India and Sri Lanka. Vetiver - what is it? How does it smell? Aroma has long been valued for its fixing qualities, and is still often used to stabilize other, more volatile and subtle aromatic ingredients. Today, vetiver is a very important ingredient in perfume, especially in men's fragrances.
Woody aroma. Vetiver: what is the smell like?
Like wine, the aroma of vetiver in the composition of essential oils is getting better with age. One liter costs about $ 200. There are literally hundreds of vetiver flavors on the market that are in demand among perfumers around the world. What does the smell of vetiver look like? It is described as a warm, dry, tart, earthy, woody aroma with balsamic and smoky notes. It can be as warm as tobacco leaves, it can be as fresh and cool as lemon verbena.
Persistent Oriental Fragrance
The habitat of the plant is marshy places, as well as river banks. Vetiver has a unique property: as a mountain xerophyte, it tolerates prolonged drought, but can also survive in conditions of prolonged seasonal flooding, tolerates extreme temperatures and grows in a wide range of soil moisture. What does the smell look like? Vetiver is characterized as fragrant, delicate, refreshing, pleasant earthy aroma with a leathery amber tone. The oil obtained by distillation from vetiver roots is one of the best oriental smells, which is also incredibly persistent. Just like patchouli oil, it acts as an excellent fixative for volatile compounds. It is known for its cooling and refreshing properties.
History and Myths
Vetiver has a long and rich history. In India, it was used to make some kind of blinds for salvation from extreme heat. Vetiver root is used in folk magic, as it is believed that the plant has the ability to provide security and increase financial resources. Associated with this is a ritual designed to promote personal safety: by inhaling the aroma of vetiver, a person had the ability to isolate himself from negative energies.
Demand for Vetiver
Vetiver - what is it? How does it smell? In the global market, the demand for this plant is growing day by day due to its unique smell. In addition, this oil cannot be replaced and recreated synthetically. Vetiver gives the perfume a pleasant aroma and helps to reduce the rate of evaporation. It is the basis of Indian perfumes and the main ingredient in 36% of all Western fragrances, 20% of which are men's fragrances. Its complex chemical composition, high solubility in alcohol, improving its compatibility with other cosmetic materials, makes it a unique perfumery resource for which a synthetic substitute has not yet been invented.
Fields of application
In what combinations is vetiver used? What smells of diluted oil? The fragrance goes well with the scent of oak moss, vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli and rose. Vetiver oil is used in the creation of perfumes, cosmetics and soaps, as well as for the flavoring of sorbets (Indian soft drinks). In addition to its direct perfumery purpose, diluted vetiver oil is widely used for other purposes and is part of aftershave lotions, air fresheners, as a flavoring agent for the food industry.
Hus (another name for vetiver) is used in soft drinks, and is also part of anti-smoking chewing gums. Dried plant roots are also used as packaging for perfumes, rugs, fans and baskets. Curtains from vetiver in houses can save from heat, if they are sprinkled with water, this will give the air a fragrant coolness; such curtains are in great demand in southern countries in the summer.
Unique plant
What is this vetiver plant? What is the smell like? We will consider a little later. Unlike most herbs, the roots of this fragrant grass grow inland, rather than expanding to the sides. The root is quite large and can reach up to 2-4 meters in depth. Thanks to this structure, vetiver is an excellent plant for controlling soil erosion in a tropical climate, where it grows without harming agricultural species.
This unique plant is also used for many other useful purposes: straw is used in housing construction in Africa, and roots are used as fuel. The roots are used to protect pets from parasites, and the essential oil is used to protect cotton and linen from moths, like patchouli. Vetiver essential oil is added even to canned vegetables.
Incomparable fragrance: a role in perfumery
What is vetiver? What is the smell like? Depending on the country of origin, different varieties may have a completely different smell. An important factor is also the quality and composition of the soil where the plant grew. The source material may be dark and earthy, light and slightly citrus, smoky and woody, clean and sweet. The versatility of vetiver, as well as its wide availability and reasonable prices make it an extremely essential natural essence in the perfume market.