# Ushira

> Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Poaceae (Gramineae) family. Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; FDA GRAS status for flavoring use; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty)
- **Family:** Poaceae (Gramineae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; FDA GRAS status for flavoring use; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Ushira |
| Latin/Botanical | *Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Vetiverol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vetiverol)
- Alpha-vetivone and beta-vetivone
- [Khusimol](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#khusimol)
- Khusimone
- Vetivene and beta-vetivenene
- Valerenol (18.48% in essential oil)
- Valerenal (10.21%)
- Vetivazulene
- Zizanal
- Iso-khusimol

## How does it work?

- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) mechanism through potent free radical scavenging by beta-vetivenene, beta-vetivone, and alpha-vetivone, protecting against lipid peroxidation
- [Anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/) and [nootropic](/glossary/pharmacology/#nootropic) activity through modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission and reduction of cortisol-mediated stress responses
- Anti-inflammatory mechanism through inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediator pathways (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and reduction of oxidative stress in inflamed tissues

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Anxiolytic and nootropic (memory-enhancing) effects validated in mouse models, confirming traditional Ayurvedic use as a brain tonic (Medhya)
- Anti-inflammatory and cooling properties validated through pharmacological studies, confirming traditional use in Pitta disorders and burning sensation (Daha)
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity confirmed against multiple bacterial and fungal strains, supporting traditional use in skin infections and wound healing

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Gunasekar CJ, Majdalawieh AF, Abu-Yousef IA and others 2025. [Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver): A Comprehensive Review of Its Medicinal Applications and Future Prospects](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41008619/). *Biomolecules*. PMID [41008619](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41008619/) · [doi:10.3390/biom15091312](https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15091312)  
  Comprehensive review documenting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antitubercular, antihyperglycemic, antidepressant, [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/), and nephroprotective activities of vetiver essential oil.
- Barcellos-Silva IGC, Dos Santos FKF, Kharkwal H and others 2025. [Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash: Biotechnology, Biorefineries, and the Production of Volatile Phytochemicals](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40431000/). *Plants (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [40431000](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40431000/) · [doi:10.3390/plants14101435](https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14101435)  
  Reviewed biotechnological approaches for sustainable production of vetiver volatile phytochemicals, including cell culture and biorefinery strategies for commercial applications.
- David A, Wang F, Sun X and others 2019. [Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Essential Oil Extracted by Carbon Dioxide Expanded Ethanol](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31108854/). *Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [31108854](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31108854/) · [doi:10.3390/molecules24101897](https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24101897)  
  Identified 22 components in CO2-expanded ethanol extract with valerenol, valerenal, and beta-cadinene as major constituents, showing significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

## Recent safety updates

- Vetiver essential oil is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by FDA for food use; widely used in perfumery and aromatherapy with established safety profile
- Oral ingestion of vetiver root preparations should follow traditional dose guidelines; essential oil should not be ingested undiluted and may cause skin sensitization in concentrated form in susceptible individuals

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Essential oil, Ark (distillate), Capsule, Sherbet/Syrup, Lepa (paste)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-5 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 5-10 mL Ushirasava; 2-3 drops essential oil in water

**Bioavailability:** Vetiverol and other sesquiterpenes (khusimol, vetivone) are moderately lipophilic with oral bioavailability of 20-30%. Undergo extensive hepatic metabolism. Essential oil components are well absorbed transdermally when used in massage oils. Phenolic acids (vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid) from root decoction have moderate oral bioavailability (~25-35%).

**Optimal Timing:** Between meals for cooling and Pitta-pacifying action; morning and evening dosing; external application any time

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil (Khus oil) standardized to >25% vetiverol (as khusimol + [isovalencenol](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#isovalencenol)) by GC-MS; root extract standardized to >3% total [sesquiterpenoids](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sesquiterpenoids)

**Shelf Life:** Dried roots: 24-36 months; Essential oil: 36-60 months (improves with aging); Powder: 18 months; Capsules: 24 months; Syrup: 18 months

**Storage:** Roots in well-ventilated, cool storage away from moisture. Essential oil in amber glass at room temperature (aging is beneficial). Powder in airtight containers at 15-25 deg C.

**Marker Compounds:** Khusimol, Vetiverol, alpha-Vetivone, beta-Vetivone, Isovalencenol, Vetiselinenol, Khusimone, Zizanoic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (12-18 hours, prolonged distillation needed)
- Hydrodistillation
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- Aqueous decoction of roots
- Hydroethanolic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Solvent extraction with hexane for oleoresin

### Synergistic Combinations

- Chandan (sandalwood) - cooling and Pitta-pacifying synergy
- [Sariva](/herb/sariva/) (Hemidesmus indicus) - blood-purifying and cooling combination
- [Kamala](/herb/kamala/) (lotus) - cooling combination for burning sensation
- [Chandana](/herb/chandana/) + Ushira in Chandanasava - classical cooling formulation

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/ushira/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.