VETIVERIA ZIZANIOIDES L. NASH-A WONDER PLANT:AN INDUSTRIAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

In many parts of South Asia, Southeast Asia and West Africa the medicinal uses of Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash are well known. In India it is widely used for the preparation of many household articles. Especially in some parts of Karnataka vetiver roots have been used to prepare refreshing herbal drinks to beat tiredness. Vetiveria zizanioides essential oil shows very important properties against fungal and microbial growth. Vetiver oil is a nice mixture of hydrocarbons and sesquiterpene alcohols with remarkably low evaporation rate. Its extracts are utilized as an important ingredient of a body cleanser, powder and as an exfoliating agent and is equally beneficial for the body massage. It also shows potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-pest, bioremediation properties. So, with such enormous properties Vetiveria zizanioides becomes a brilliant choice for the industrial usage.