The Sleep-Soothing, Nerve-Calming Power of Vetiver Essential Oil

There’s something ancient and reassuring about vetiver—its warm, earthy aroma has long been used in Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian traditions to calm the mind and body. Now, science offers solid backing for what tradition has always known: vetiver essential oil is a natural sedative.

A team of researchers at the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) investigated the sedative effects of vetiver oil. Their study, conducted in Bangkok, aimed to scientifically validate vetiver’s calming reputation.

What they found was compelling: inhalation of vetiver oil significantly reduced spontaneous activity in the brain and body, pointing to a genuine sedative effect. This means that vetiver doesn’t just smell relaxing—it may physiologically slow down overactive nervous system activity, making it an ideal support for stress, insomnia, and even anxiety.

The researchers suggested that compounds in vetiver oil may interact with GABA receptors or other neurotransmitter pathways involved in rest, sleep, and mood regulation. In simpler terms, vetiver helps the body and brain shift out of “fight or flight” and into “rest and restore.”

Whether diffused in your bedroom, or applied (diluted) to pulse points, vetiver oil is a scientifically-supported, natural alternative to relax deeply and sleep more peacefully.

Source: Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)