Discover Agarwood (Origin, Use and Virtues)
Originally from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, agarwood is recognized by its black appearance, but above all by its unique aroma, both powerful and sweet. Two characteristics that make it rare and valuable. Used in Asia for several centuries in religious rituals or in natural medicine, the virtues of agarwood constitute a universal remedy for almost all ailments. Wood is both anxiolytic, natural sedative, strengthening, aphrodisiac, but also anti-asthmatic.
Marketed in three forms: raw, powder and oil, agarwood is one of the 10 most expensive woods in the world. Its main use today is in the perfume industry which exploits its fragrant resin to create an agarwood perfume with an everlasting scent. Its scent and its noble appearance are also used as incense in many religious or spiritual rituals. Here's what you need to know about agarwood.
Contents :
The formation of agarwood and its resin
What is agarwood?
Agarwood, also called Oud wood, Eagle wood, Aloe wood, calambac or gaharu, depending on its cultural origin, is a piece of wood with an aged appearance, but whose rarity is precious. Inside this piece flows an odorous, dark-colored resin whose scent is captivating, so much so that it awakens the senses. This resin, unique in the world, is obtained from a still mysterious natural mechanism. She makes agarwood, a precious and highly coveted piece of wood, nicknamed “ wood of the gods ”.
For many of us, agarwood is a precious tool whose virtues help balance life. This is also the reason why we offer this agarwood incense, which will allow you to easily benefit from its benefits.
To understand the particularity of this wood, we must first go back to its origins. Found largely in tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, agarwood is also produced in South America or Australia. Because, yes, agarwood is not a tree that we plant to grow. It is produced, sometimes naturally, sometimes by human intervention.
To date, there are 4 main families of trees that can produce Oud wood. These include, among others:
- Thymeleaceae: found in Southeast Asia.
- Burseraceae which are mainly present in South America
- Lauraceae which are also found in South America
- Euphorbiaceae found in the tropics.
Thymeleaceae and mainly Aquilaria are today the most used to produce agarwood. These are the easiest species to cultivate, but which also make it possible to produce a superior quality of agarwood.
The formation of agarwood and its resin
As said previously, agarwood cannot be planted. It forms in the heart of tree trunks, generally by a natural mechanism.
During its life, a tree can suffer injuries. It can die, wither, become infected, be attacked by parasites, bacteria, fungi, etc. When this happens, the affected part of the tree triggers a self-defense mechanism, like any living thing. In the tree, it will produce a resin which allows it to protect itself. As this resin is secreted and increases in mass and density, the affected part of the tree will change color. It can turn beige, dark brown, or even black, if normally a healthy tree is light in color.
This dark-colored piece of wood containing the resin constitutes agarwood. This resin gives off a pleasant and delicate smell. It also has many therapeutic properties. Considered liquid black gold, its value is almost twice as expensive as gold.
It goes to show that nature is the holder of great secrets and great powers. This is also the idea behind the creation of this collection of natural herbal products : to offer you the power of the elementary principles of a simple world.
The different natural formations of oud wood.
There are 5 factors that can contribute to the natural formation of agarwood :
- The raw formation : the resin is formed to heal the wounds of the tree in the event of a crack, a splitting branch, animal scratches or felling of branches.
- Formation by ripening : when the resin is secreted in large quantities, it will obstruct the canals and veins of the tree. This part will then die to naturally release the resin.
- Formation by ablation : when a tree is infected, the most affected part can detach itself. These falling pieces may contain agarwood resin.
- Formation by insect attack : in the event of an attack by parasites, the tree will defend itself naturally by producing resin.
- Fungal formation : similarly, in the event of a fungal attack, the tree will defend itself from the invasion of moss by secreting resin.
Training by man
The natural process of agarwood formation is almost uncertain. You never know when or on which tree this will happen. This can lead to cutting down several trees before finding the one that produces the agarwood. To avoid going through this process, but also to increase the production of agarwood, various methods are now used today.
In certain countries, the production of agarwood has become a separate sector. To increase its yield, we do not hesitate to deliberately wound or infect the tree so that it produces resin.
To learn more on the subject, here is an article from the site techno-science.net which will describe the process of producing oud wood.
Use of oud wood
If the resin from oud wood can heal the wounds of a tree, then we can only imagine its virtues on the human body. Indeed, oud wood is dedicated to recognized medical and therapeutic uses. The virtues of agarwood are successful in traditional Asian medicine to treat many ailments.
Agarwood is also used in religious and oriental ceremonies. Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus and Muslims use it during funerals, weddings, births and other sacred ceremonies. It is used in various forms, but it is most commonly used in the form of agarwood incense.
Aloe wood is also used in perfumery. In this area, we exploit the oriental scents of oil and wood powder to create a unique perfume with diverse and striking aspects. Oud-based perfumes are rare, luxurious and above all expensive. In many luxury hotels, such as Dubai India, Morocco, Indonesia, oud is also used as an interior perfume.
In the artistic world, agarwood is also used to create rare and valuable sculptures and furniture.
In addition to the actual piece of wood, you can also use dry or fresh agarwood leaves, which, when burned in an incense burner, give off sweet scents. This can form a unique room fragrance.
The virtues of agarwood
With multiple therapeutic properties, agarwood has long been used as a remedy for many ailments. In traditional Asian medicine, the virtues of agarwood can be used to treat physical illnesses or mental disorders.
Rich in terpenoids, agarwood acts as a natural sedative and anxiolytic. Also containing polyphenols, it acts as a natural antioxidant. Psychoactive, it acts positively on cognitive and mental functions. It does not cause any side effects or negative reactions. Agarwood is a true ally of physical and mental health and well-being.
Here is how oud wood is used in therapeutic medicine:
- It is used as a complement to treatments for diabetes, cholesterol, asthma, rheumatism, epilepsy and even cancer.
- It helps reduce blood pressure and regulates the respiratory and digestive system. It helps calm stomach problems, diarrhea, nausea, colic of all kinds, vomiting and bloating. It also helps reduce uric acid in the body and promotes better elimination of toxic waste.
- It helps to better tolerate pain and crises caused by liver and stomach diseases.
- It is also used as an anti-inflammatory to strengthen the body, strengthen the immune system, tone the body, protect against bacteria.
- It is used to quickly heal a skin wound.
On a psychological and mental level, agarwood is also used for its many virtues:
- Its soothing and anti-stress virtue : it suppresses positive energies, reduces stress and anxiety. It also acts on the nervous system by providing calming, relaxation and relaxation.
- Its balancing virtue : in the event of emotional imbalance caused by certain daily situations, the incense scent of agarwood can be enough to create harmony and regain balance.
- Its inspiring virtue : agarwood is used in meditation by spiritual masters to give inspiration, to bring inner peace and serenity. It also stimulates a connection between body and mind.
- Its calming virtue : when the senses are disturbed, they are not receptive to everything that surrounds the human being. Thus, agarwood incense is burned to calm the senses, stimulate them and make them receptive.
Agarwood in perfumery
Since the dawn of time, Oud wood has been used as perfume. Whether for the body or as an interior perfume. In many cultures, women used agarwood oil on both their clothes and themselves to give off an aura of sensuality.
In the Middle Ages, it was used by Chinese emperors, Arab sultans and was the emblematic scent of oligarchs. Since the dawn of time, oud wood has evoked a taste for luxury and opulence. This is why perfumes made from this wood are quite expensive.
Today, agarwood is a unique ingredient that forms the basis of many expensive perfumes. Citing for example only the Oud Royal by Giorgio Armani or the Purple oud by Dior. It is very appreciated for its aromas, but also its many diverse aspects.
Agarwood offers a rich olfactory experience, which transports you to an exceptional botanical adventure. Indeed, in oud wood perfume we find an odor that is both delicate but pungent, pleasant, but striking. It evokes warm, smoky but also humid notes. Sometimes it has floral and fruity touches, sometimes it evokes woody and earthy touches. The fragrance of oud wood is exquisite.
But in addition, the agarwood perfume has the particularity of lingering on the skin. It can stay there for hours, even days, especially if it is used as a perfume base. All its particularities make agarwood perfume a rare and overpriced cosmetic product.
Agarwood incense
It is mainly an Ayurvedic incense. Indeed, it has many virtues for the body and mind. It brings appeasement, concentration, inner peace, open-mindedness. It is known to have positive effects on the mind and especially thoughts.
It can also be used for purification purposes. It helps chase away negative waves or bad energies circulating within a home. After a period of illness, flu, cold, etc., it is possible to use agarwood incense to purify the home.
In case of insomnia, sleep disorders or difficulty falling asleep, burning oud wood incense calms the mind and promotes sleep.
We use either raw resin or agar oil diluted in essential oils which, when burned in an incense burner, gives off an intoxicating odor. You can also use the piece of agarwood directly and leave it burning throughout the house to release an exceptional ambient scent.
More broadly, if the use of incense to benefit from the powers of natural principles speaks to you, this collection entirely dedicated to incense should please you!
Some figures on the agarwood trade
Due to its rarity and value, agarwood is one of the 10 most expensive woods in the world. Experts estimate the annual global market for this wood at $6 billion. A small piece of wood can cost 20 to 30 euros while agarwood perfume from big brands can cost thousands of euros.
And yes, agarwood is an extremely valuable product. To better understand the why and how, here is a little more research on the rarity of agarwood.
Lucky charm featured in this article
Agarwood Incense
See more