Ushira
Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty)
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.
| Botanical name | Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae (Gramineae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Poales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; FDA GRAS status for flavoring use; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 7352653 · Wikidata Q87591390 · NCBI Taxonomy 167337 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Ushira |
| Latin/Botanical | Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Vetiverol
- Alpha-vetivone and beta-vetivone
- Khusimol
- Khusimone
- Vetivene and beta-vetivenene
- Valerenol (18.48% in essential oil)
- Valerenal (10.21%)
- Vetivazulene
- Zizanal
- Iso-khusimol
How does it work?
- Antioxidant mechanism through potent free radical scavenging by beta-vetivenene, beta-vetivone, and alpha-vetivone, protecting against lipid peroxidation
- Anxiolytic and 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 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. Biomolecules. PMID 41008619 · doi:10.3390/biom15091312
Comprehensive review documenting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antitubercular, antihyperglycemic, antidepressant, 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. Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40431000 · doi: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. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 31108854 · doi: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) by GC-MS; root extract standardized to >3% total 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
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews6
- 2025. Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver): A Comprehensive Review of Its Medicinal Applications and Future ProspectsBiomolecules. PMID 41008619 · doi:10.3390/biom15091312
- 2025. Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash: Biotechnology, Biorefineries, and the Production of Volatile PhytochemicalsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40431000 · doi:10.3390/plants14101435
- 2021. Chrysopogon zizanioides-a review on its pharmacognosy, chemical composition and pharmacological activitiesEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 34215988 · doi:10.1007/s11356-021-15145-1
- 2021. Potential therapeutic effect of Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver) as an anti-inflammatory agentEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 33534103 · doi:10.1007/s11356-021-12652-z
- 2012. Volatiles emitted from the roots of Vetiveria zizanioides suppress the decline in attention during a visual display terminal taskBiomedical research (Tokyo, Japan). PMID 23124250 · doi:10.2220/biomedres.33.299
- 2009. Vetiver grass, Vetiveria zizanioides: a choice plant for phytoremediation of heavy metals and organic wastesInternational journal of phytoremediation. PMID 19810597 · doi:10.1080/15226510902787302
Laboratory and animal studies6
- 2025. In vivo and insilico toxicity studies of hydroalcoholic extract of Vetiveria zizanioides rootsJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 41205286 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101256
- 2024. Vetiveria zizanioides modulates experimental epilepsy-induced seizures, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the brain of ratsMetabolic brain disease. PMID 39576294 · doi:10.1007/s11011-024-01443-3
- 2022. Enhanced adsorption of metal ions onto Vetiveria zizanioides biochar via batch and fixed bed studiesBioresource technology. PMID 34864186 · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126475
- 2021. Nephroprotective activity of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash supplement in doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity model of Wistar ratsJournal of food biochemistry. PMID 34396545 · doi:10.1111/jfbc.13901
- 2021. An experimental study to evaluate Gunasankarya (combination of properties)Ayu. PMID 37347083 · doi:10.4103/ayu.ayu_229_21
- 2021. Simultaneous removal of arsenic, fluoride, and manganese from synthetic wastewater by Vetiveria zizanioidesEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 33851293 · doi:10.1007/s11356-021-13898-3
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