Vetiver is mainly cultivated for the fragrant essential oil distilled from its roots. In perfumery, the older French spelling, vetyver, is often used. Worldwide production is estimated at about 250 tons per annum.[7] Due to its excellent fixative properties, vetiver is used widely in perfumes. It is contained in 90% of all western perfumes. Vetiver is a more common ingredient in fragrances for men; some notable examples include Dior's Eau Sauvage, Guerlain Vetiver, Zizan by Ormonde Jayne and Vetiver by L'Occitane.
Indonesia, China, Haiti are major producers.[7] Vetiver processing was introduced to Haiti in the 1940s by Frenchman Lucien Ganot.[8] In 1958, Franck Léger established a plant on the grounds of his father Demetrius Léger's alcohol distillery. The plant was taken over in 1984 by Franck's son, Pierre Léger, who expanded the size of the plant to 44 atmospheric stills, each built to handle one metric ton of vetiver roots. Total production increased in ten years from 20 to 60 tonnes annually, making it the largest producer in the world.[9] The plant extracts vetiver oil by steam distillation. Another major operation in the field is the one owned by the Boucard family. Réunion is considered to produce the highest quality vetiver oil called "bourbon vetiver" with the next favorable being Haiti and then Java.[citation needed]
The United States, Europe, India, and Japan are the main consumers.
Product Details:
Raw Material | Root |
Grade | Therapeutic |
Botanical Name | Chrysopogon Zizanioides |
Aromatic Note | Deep, Sweet, Woody, Smoky, Earthy, Amber, Balsam |
Production Method | Steam Distillation |
Application | Perfuming Soaks and as an Insecticide |