It is true that vetiver oil is an important ingredient in perfumery, but it is not as well known as Vetiveria Zizanoides, vetiver grass, the most important and most famous grass in the world. Vetiver grass is used worldwide as a soil protection plant. Its abundant lacework of rootlets secure the soil on mountainous and volcanic slopes against erosion caused by torrential rains. Because of its value, especially to third world countries, whose retention of soil is precious, vetiver is grown in Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Japan, Reunion, Angola, The Congo Republic, Haiti, The Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Guiana, Jamaica, Mauritius, and Martinique. Those rootlets that bind the precious soil to the earth are the source of an essential oil that is a comparatively recent product, though the rootlets have been used for their fragrance since antiquity.

Vetiver oil is steam distilled from the cleaned and washed rootlets which are dried, cut, and chopped, then usually soaked in water before distillation. Reunion and Haiti are the largest producers of vetiver oil. It is estimated that at least 200 tons of vetiver oil are produced annually, quite a lot for the comparatively little known oil. Though it may not be well known to the public, perfumers are well aware of its great value. It is said that vetiver, also called vetivert and vetyver, is an almost unexplainable fragrance. It would be like trying to explain only orange blossoms. It seems like a spice. The oil, which in India is known as Khas, has an earthy odor with an underlying violet and orris-like sweetness. Its persistence makes it one of the finest fixatives known. It is the basis for Mousseline, an Indian perfume, and appears as the main ingredient in 36% of all western quality perfumes, including Caleche, Chanel No. 5, Dioressence, and Parure, and 20% of all men's fragrances. Another byproduct of vetiver grass is vetiver resinoid, a semi-solid, plastic mass of dark brown or dark amber color with a faint but persistent odor. It has an excellent fixative effect, but also lends a softness and rich body to perfumes of the heavier Oriental type - fougeres, chypres, and crepe de Chines. In certain types of rose base, vetiver resinoid is unsurpassed as fragrant fixative.

When used as an emollient in aroma therapy, vetivert is a deeply relaxing, soothing oil for the mind and body. Its earthy or woodsy, smoky aroma is more pleasant when diluted. It is said to reduce blood pressure and has sensual properties. It blends subtly with lavender, sandalwood, and jasmine as an oil, and blends well patchouli, clary sage, mimosa, and ylang-ylang in perfume. The name "vetiver" caught on with various perfume manufacturers who produced specific perfumes with that name. They included Carven (1957), Givenchy (1959), Lanvin (1964), and LeGalion (1969).