Khus Khus
Botanical Name(s): Vetiveria Zizanoides
Family Name: Poaceae
Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular Plants)
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class: Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
Subclass: Commelinidae
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
Genus: Vetiveria Bory (vetivergrass)
Species: Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (vetivergrass)
Popular Name(s): Khas Khas, Cuscus and Vetivert
Parts Used: Roots and Essential oil
Habitat: Cultivated in plains and low hills of India
Description
Vetiveria zizanioides, also known as khas khas, khas or khus grass, is native to India. It is a densely tufted grass, with long, thin and rigid leaves and can grow up to 1.5 meters high. The grass grows well in rich marshy soil that is found throughout the plains and lower hills of India, especially on the riverbanks. The plant is different from the other grass forms, in that instead of having mat-like root systems, it befits in growing downwards and can grow up to 2-4 meters in depth. The plant is well known for its oil that is used in medicine and perfumery. Along with this, Khas Khas is also used for cooling purposes, flavoring sharbats, and making mats, hand fans etc. Today the plant is cultivated in the North Indian states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab and in the South Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Plant Chemicals
Its main chemical components are benzoic acid, vetiverol, furfurol, a and b-vetivone, vetivene and vetivenyl vetivenate. The chemical components of the oil obtained from the plant is benzoic acid, furfurol, vetivene, vetivenyl vetivenate, terpinen-4-ol, 5-epiprezizane, Khusimene, a-muurolene, Khusimone, Calacorene, ß-humulene, a-longipinene, ?-selinene, d-selinene,d-cadinene, valencene, Calarene,-gurjunene, a-amorphene, Epizizanal, 3-epizizanol, Khusimol, Iso-khusimol, Valerenol, ß-vetivone, a-vetivone, vetivazulene.
Uses & Benefits of Khus Khus
- Khus khus is a boon for farmers in warm climates, as it prevents soil erosion. As the plant grows exclusively downward, it helps to block the runoff of surface water and conserves soil. Hence, it is used to create boundaries for rice paddies.
- The fragrant essential oil obtained from the plant root is quite famous throughout the world. It is used in high-end perfumes, for its fixative properties.
- The mats made from khus khus plant are hung in the house, to cool rooms during summer. Moreover, they even add a pleasant aroma in the house, when sprinkled with water occasionally.
- The herb is tied in a muslin cloth and added to the earthen pots filled with water, to lend its distinctive flavor and aroma to it.
- It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects that provide relief from inflammations in circulatory system and nervous system.
- Khus khus is used to create a tonic bath, which is the reason why it is often included in high quality soaps. In addition, it finds an application in combat lice as well.
- It is a boon for individuals suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscular aches, dryness and cracking of skin etc.
- The oil obtained from khus khus has sedative effect and aids in the treatment of emotional outbursts, such as anger, anxiety, epileptic and hysteric attacks, restlessness, nervousness, etc.
Caution
- The oil obtained from khus khus is known to be safe, non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.
