Agarwood Essential Oil
Agarwood is the most expensive wood in the world. It is valued in many cultures for its distinctive fragrance, and used extensively in incense and perfumes. The genus Aquilaria is found in the triangle enclosed by Bengal, Hong Kong and New Guinea, and consists of about 15 species of trees and bushes. Trees of A. agallocha, A. malaccensis and related species sometimes become infected with a mould, Phialophora parasitica, and react by producing an aromatic resin. The dark resinous heartwood from these forest trees is called agarwood, eaglewood, aloe or oud. It has an elegant, sweet-woody odour of varying character, and is one of the oldest and most famous incense materials of the Far East. The finest quality is called Kanankoh (Kyara in Japanese). As a result, agarwood and its essential oil gained great cultural and religious significance in ancient civilizations around the world.
| Botanical Name: | Aquilaria agallocha Lam. |
| Family: | Thymelaeaceae |
| Synonyms: | Lignum aquila, oud, oude, agar, aloewood, aloeswood, ud |
| See Also: | |
| Parts Used: | Fungus infected wood |
| Extraction Method: | Water Distillation, |
| Appearance: | Brownish yellow semi solid |
| Aroma Description: | Deeply woody and earthy, sandalwood |
| Perfume note: | Base |
| Consistancy: | Thick |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | Medium |
| Blends well with: | Carnation, geranium, sandalwood, vetiver. |
| Historical Uses: | Agarwood has a very long history of use as a medicine, incense and as an aromatic oil. In the Bible it is known as aloes or aloeswood. |
| Modern Uses: | Agarwood essential oil is used primarily in top quality perfumes. In Japan, agarwood or oud is used as an incense at funerals. |
| Cautions: | Avoid during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Not to be used on babies or small children. |
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