Ushira or vetiver has many uses in Ayurveda. It is used as a urinary coolant in UTI and Cystitis. It improves skin health, heals wounds, reduces the burning sensation in herpes, and cools lesions in psoriasis.
Related article
Ayurvedic Remedies, Medicines and Tips for Good Sleep
Table of content
About Vetiver or Ushira or Vetiveria Zizanioides
Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Ushira
Ayurveda Health Benefits of Ushira or Vetiver
Home Remedies with Ushira or Vetiver
About Vetiver or Ushira or Vetiveria Zizanioides
Ushira is also known as Vetiver has a botanical name Vetiveria Zizanioides. It belongs to the family GRAMINAE. This tufted grass is available throughout the plains of India up to a height of 1200 m. Vetiver is known for its perfumery and medicinal value since ancient times.
This plant has various names in the local languages of India. It is
- Khas / Usheer / khus khus in hindi,
- Khaskhas, Venaghas in Bengali
- Vala in Marathi
- Valo in Gujarati
- khas khas grass, Kus Kus grass, Vetiver in English,
- Lavancha in Kannada
- Vattivellu in Telugu .
- Vettiver, Vetivera in Tamil
- Ramacham in Malayalam
Chemical constitution
This herb contains Allokhusiol, Benzoic acid, Cyclocapacamphene, Epikhusinol, epizizanal, 2- epizizanone, B- eduesmol, Eugenol, Iskhusimol, Isokhusinoloxide, Isovalencenol, Isovalencic, Khusimyl acetate, Khusinodiol, Khusinol, Khusitoneol, Laevojujenol, Levojunenol, Vanillin, Vertiselinenol, B-& J vetivene, Vetivenic acid, vetiverol, Zizaene, Zizanol, etc
Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Ushira
Ushira is referred to with various synonyms in texts of Ayurveda, which are coined due to its medicinal properties, structure, or habitat. These names are
Veerana, Virani, Veeratara, Valaka, Balaka, Truna Valukam, Veniga Mulakam, Abhaya, Ranapriya, Virataru,
Haripriya-very dearer to Lord Shri Hari
Jalavasa, Jalaamoda – As it grows in moist places
Nalada, Amrunala, Mrunalaka – It looks like lotus stalk
Sugandhika, Samagandhika, Sugandhamula – This herb has a pleasant odor
Bahumoola – bushy root
Shishiram, Sheetamoola – Its root is a super coolant
Sevya – This herb is suitable for daily consumption
Medicinal properties of vetiver are explained as follows in Ayurvedic Text “Bhavaprakasha” by Ayurveda acharyas.
Based on the principles of Ayurveda Vetiveria Zizanioides is light to digest (laghu) and dries up the tissues (ruksha). It acts as a body coolant (sheeta veerya) and normalizes pitta dosha and Kapha dosha . This herb is appreciated for its cooling and cleansing properties.
Plant Parts used
The roots of this grass are used for medicinal purposes. The roots are washed and then dried in shade and sunlight alternatively. Fully dried roots are powdered and used for preparations of medicinal formulations. The essential oil of vetiver is also used in aromatherapy.
Health Benefits of Khus or Vetiver or Vetiveria Zizanioides.
Vetiver is used in various health conditions to balance doshas and subside symptoms. Here are its uses.
Vetiver for Skin
Vetiver can be applied on the skin as an ayurvedic natural herbal face pack or its oil can be massaged on the skin. The decoction of this herb can be used internally to increase fairness and the glow of the skin. Vetiver helps to heal acne, pimple, and scars. This herb can be used along with turmeric (haldi), lodhra, saffron, etc in beauty treatments. It reduces irritation and burning sensation of the skin. An ayurvedic Vetiver Face Pack helps to cure acne, pimple, and scars. Application of ushira water on the body removes body odor and also prevents excess sweat secretion.
The root powder of ushira ¼ spoon mixed with sandalwood powder 1 teaspoon and rose water make the best face pack for oily skin and acne and pimples. This mixture can also be applied on boils in genital herpes and oral herpes. Ushira and sandal powder pack also helps to control skin rashes.
Vetiver for Hair
Hair oil prepared using vetiver helps to relieve itching, flaking, and dandruff of the scalp. This herb is used along with other hair-friendly herbs like bhringraj, amla, neem , Gotu kola or mandukaparni, etc to make effective hair oil. This herb helps to reduce inflammation, burning sensation, and flaking of skin. This is useful in scalp psoriasis.
Ushira helps in Digestion
Ushira helps in normalizing digestion. Its uses are well appreciated in controlling acidity, belching, excess thirst, indigestion, burning sensation of chest and throat, nausea, and vomiting. It not only eases digestion but also helps to balance Agni. Even though it acts as a body coolant it helps body fire to get balanced. It eliminates ama or body toxins. This herb can be used in ayurvedic skin detox. It relieves nausea and vomiting. Vetiver helps to relieve constipation.
Relieves thirst and tiredness
This herb is eulogized as “trushnahara” which means it relieves thirst and also helps to get rid of fatigue and tiredness (klantihara). Ushira water is recommended in fever as it relieves thirst and fever. Vitever root powder mixed with rose water has to be applied to the forehead. It reduces fever. Using Ushirasava in fever helps to reduce parching of the throat and controls fever.
In Cystitis, UTI and Bph or Prostate Enlargement
Since this herb acts as a superb body coolant, it is recommended in the treatment of cystitis and UTI ( Cystitis and UTI in Ayurveda ). It reduces burning urination and soothes the inner layers of the bladder, urinary tract, and urethra. It acts as a diuretic. This herb is very useful in diabetes-related urinary problems. Vetiver is also used in the treatment of BPH or Prostate Enlargement
Home Remedies with Ushira or Vetiver
Various home remedies using this herb are very useful to cool the body and relieve symptoms of heat.
To relieve thirst in summer
Boil 1 tablespoon of root powder of this herb with 5 cups of water, for 2 minutes. Filter this and consume it throughout the day. Prepare fresh ushira water daily. This relieves thirst and cools the body in summer.
To Relieve a Burning Sensation
Make a paste of root powder. You can use water or rose water. Apply this paste on boils due to burns, herpes, or insect stings. This paste can also be used as a face pack to improve skin glow and complexion.
In joint pain and arthritis
Vetiver oil is used to relieve joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or gout.
Vetiver Essential Oil-
Vetiver essential oil is used in aromatherapy to reduce inflammation, soothes irritated skin, and reduce acne, pimple, and blemishes. It is mainly used in cosmetics. Vetiver oil fragrance is aphrodisiac. It calms the mind, helps to get good sleep, and increases libido
(WhatsApp Dr.Savitha Suri @+ 91 6360108663/ to know more about ayurvedic treatment and remedies )
Author : Dr. Savitha Suri Consultant Ayurvedic Physician
Reference https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285320583_Traditional_and_medicinal_uses_of_vetiver
Call us at +91 9945995660 / +91 9448433911
WhatsApp + 91 6360108663/
