Vetiver is sweet and very heavy woody, earthy, remniscent of roots and wet soil.

In terms of Oriental medicine, vetiver oil is cool and moist in energy. It clears heat, nourishes, calms, and uplifts. From a vitalistic viewpoint, the roots of any plant are innately nourishing, strengthening, and grounding. Belonging to a family [Gramineae--grasses that include cereal grains] that feeds the world, the roots of vetiver are especially so--a fact reflected in the very richness of the soil.from Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, page 125