How to keep yourself cool with Khus (Vetivar)

Summer is almost here, and the heat is making its presence felt gradually but steadily. In India the summer months can get extremely hot. Suddenly we start experiencing electricity or power cuts, called load shedding as the electrical supply companies cannot handle the extra load of air-conditioners and water coolers etc. there are many ways to stay cool in the summer, without really needing electric power. Here are some of them.

Get an earthen pot called a ‘matka’ and add a bunch of khus roots to it. matkas are used to cool drinking water in India from olden times. These earthen pots are really cool they do not need any electricity or other power to start their cooling effect on water.

To my taste buds, matka cooled water tastes a lot better than water that is chilled in the refrigerator. The bunch of ‘khus’ roots in the water in the pot adds a lovely flavor to the water in the pot.

Hang up khus mats or curtains to help cool your home. Sprinkle water on these curtains till they are soaking wet. Leave the windows or doors that it is hung over, open. The draft of hot breeze flowing into the house is cooled by the wet khus curtain. The breeze coming into the house catches the wonderful fragrance of khus and diffuses it in the house leving the house smelling lovely and feeling cool.

Let me tell you a little about khus.

Khus is known as vetiveria zizanioides in the botanical world.

Khus is commonly used in aroma therapy and perfumes. It is a cooling agent. It also works as a blood purifier. Khus is also known to have a very calming effect on the nervous system. Because of these useful properties it is used in the treatment of insomnia, and stress relief. It also helps in calming anger.

How does khus get its fragrance?

Khus Botanical name vetiveria zizanioides.

Khus, is a type of grass that grows up to six feet high. Like all grass it has fiberous roots that reach deep into the moist earth.

Khus's mystical fragrance comes from these tiny rootlets which are filled with the sweet, deep rich fragrant undertones that remind you of precious woods and the smell of the hot earth after the first shower of rain.

Khus or vetiveria zizanioides belongs to the same botanical family as lemongrass, citronella and palmarosa.

The roots of the khus plant can also be woven into sleeping mats, sandals, hats, hand fans and decorative baskets. They can be packed up in sachets to place in cupboards or when storing linen.

You can wear a hat made from khus roots, to keep your head cool. Just moisten it a bit before you step out into the sun and enjoy it’s lovely cool effect and perfume.

Wear sandals made from khus roots for the same effect and to keep your feet cool.
Khus essence is also used to make cooling drinks called ‘sherbet’. I love the taste of khus. You can add the khus concentrate to chilled milk too.


As you can see, this grass has such benefits. Here’s to khus filled summer!