ABSTRACT
Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver, is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family, native to India. In western and northern India, it is popularly known as khus. Vetiver can grow up to 1.5 meters high and form clumps as wide. Unlike most grasses, which form horizontally spreading, mat-like root systems, vetiver’s roots grow downward, two to four meters in depth. Its primary uses in agricultural and non-agricultural fields include applications in water and soil conservation, slope stabilization, erosion control, environmental protection, absorption of heavy metals, wastewater treatment and other related uses. Steam-distillation of the roots produces vetiver essential oil. The oil is used as a perfumery source, for aromatherapy, as an aroma in food and as a flavor agent in some beverages. Essential oil of vetiver is one of the most viscous oils, with an extremely slow rate of volatility, which makes it very persistent and one of the finest fixatives known.
