Vetiveria Nigritana
1. History and use
The rhizomes of this plant contain an essential oil with a pleasant scent and is very used to disinfect the drinking water. t is necessary to distinguish this vetiver from the other species Vetiveria zizanoides which grows in Asia and whose essence is at the base of many fragrances.
On the other hand the water flavored by the essence of this rhizome is given to children to calm diarrhea.
2. Description of the plant
It is a perennial herb thanks to its short rhizomes which form compact tufts with numerous upright leaves, the stems can reach 2.50 meters in height and the leaves are very long (1 meter to 1.50 meters). The flowers are arranged in racemes composed of 15 to 20 whorls.
3. Curative action
The rhizome of this plant contains an essential oil with sesquiterpene alcohols (vetiverols) responsible for the disinfectant and antiseptic action.
4. Uses
- Disinfectant: Some roots are boiled in the drinking water to disinfect and remove pathogenic bacteria.
- Antiseptic: Flavored water is recommended in cases of common diarrhea in infants and children.
