Let’s Know the Science (Native) — Vetiver / A tall hairless grass / Chrysopogon Zizanioides / Khus

Vetiver or Khus is an herbaceous plant. It has been used by our ancestors and it is native from India. It is used medicinally and to make aromatic oils.

In earlier times, women used to apply khus to their hair for fragrance. Khus is an herb that has been used for a long time to cure heat ailments. It is essential for our daily life like irrigation, aesthetics, medicine, and it spreads fragrance in our homes,

Medicinal use of Khus is numerous. Root has cooling properties and it is clustered in nature. After cutting the root from the grass and the middle piece can be planted again. It is called as cut root and it’s another name will be lemon root. The roots can go up to eight feet deep into the soil. The name ‘Iruveli meaning two fences’ may have come from the fact that it was used as a fence on both sides of the riverbanks to prevent soil erosion. Khus oil contains antioxidants. One study found that khus essential oil has antioxidant properties.

Medicinal uses of Khus:

Reduces body heat: Reduces the effects of heat in summer. Soaking khus in water and drinking that water daily will relieve body heat, quench thirst, relieve fatigue and gives you energy. Khus can be soaked in water and smashed to paste to mix with water while taking bath to reduce the excessive sweating and itching during hot season. Take 100 grams of khus and place it in a pot made of clay, pour four cups of water, and boil it well and add basil seeds to it. If you drink it during hot weather, body irritation, neck pain, hot blisters and urinary issues will be cured.

For leg pain: For people suffering from foot irritation and pain, Khus can be boiled in coconut oil and soaked for two days. Post that, the oil can be filtered and applied to the affected areas.

Helps in cell division: Zinc is found in khus root which is responsible for the activity of more than 300 enzymes. Zinc supports our natural defense system, and it helps in cell division, cell growth and wound healing.

Boosts Immunity: Khus is rich in antioxidants, and it helps to boost immunity.

Manages blood pressure: The chopped khus roots are packed with other minerals like iron, manganese and B6 vitamins. All these minerals play an important role in improving blood circulation and controlling blood pressure levels in the body. People with high blood pressure should add a small amount of khus to the water can drink daily, especially in warm water to cure.

Peace of mind: If you keep inhaling a light aroma from cut root, your mind will always be peaceful. It increases mental rejuvenation. Using khus oil can help to improve alertness and reduce mental fatigue. The aromatic oil extracted from the cut root is used for calming the mind and as a remedy for mental illness. Apart from this, if you use a fan which made with khus, the air can cure body irritation, dry throat etc.

Facial beautification: Khus oil can be applied on the scars that have not healed for a long time. To get cured, apply this oil and before taking bath. Khus powder can be used instead of Shikakai. If you cut and rub the root powder regularly, the face will not get oily. The face will be more beautiful, and it used to reduce pimples on the face.

Reduces anxiety: Khus oil is used to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.

For tiredness: The tiredness after fever can be reduced if we drink the cut root that boiled in water. Drinking that water will increase the digestive power. Stomach ulcer will also be cured.

Used as food: Drink made by mixing palm rind and water in an earthen pot with khus gives a cooling sensation. The sorbet prepared by soaking khus in water will have flavor and medicinal properties. Boil water with khus and cumin to ease digestion. A decoction made from its root can be used as a tonic that gives strength to the body.

This root protects against phlegm.

Applying crushed khus to burns will heal the wounds quickly and the scar will disappear quickly.

Applying khus oil on scars that have not healed for a long time will make them disappear.

Studies have shown that khus oil can reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin.

Now you will realize that khus is not just a cut root, it is a root, a treasure buried in the grass.