Uses of agarwood

Agarwood is mainly formed as a resinous substance deep inside some particular kind of trees and is found mainly in south Asian countries. There are many religions and culture which prize agarwood, which is not a wood at all, as perfume oil and incense when they perform religious ceremonies. The excessive harvesting of this species has made the resin rare and now it is included in the list of endangered tree species in some countries.

Agarwood is known by different names and some of the popular ones including eaglewood, heartwood aloes wood and agarwood etc. It is malleable as well as sticky in characteristics, but not produced by trees naturally likes majority of other sap. It forms within a very small percentage of trees coming from Aquilaria family, which is called thymelaeceae. This tress species grows mainly in rainforest and temperate regions and are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam etc. These tress grow rapidly even in poor soil conditions, as long as they get sufficient amount of water.

The hard fact is that these trees are not valued for their lumber, but they are looked as anomalous substances of agarwood which forms as a result of genetic mutation of infection. You cannot tell about the yield of the tress until you cut it and split it open. They are a renewable resource, however over harvesting has results in its extinction from several parts of the world.

Agarwood is also used in incense sticks as well as medicinal smoke. This tree has got a religious touch also, as agarwood oil or Oudh is used in holy places of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Shintoism etc as incense or temple offerings. This is the reason why agarwood is many a times referred to as "wood of god". Nowadays, even soaps and cosmetics have incorporated the distinctive aroma of agarwood.

Oudh or agarwood oil has been treasured and loved for thousands of years by romantics and mystic alike. It is also proclaimed as an aid to meditation. Since this tree species is facing an extinction threat, majority of the agarwood in the market is now obtained through poaching. To prevent it from extinction, many farmers have now started replanting these trees throughout the region. Everyone is being encouraged to plant the saplings of these trees.

Practicing sustainable as well as organic harvesting methods, the extractions and plantations centers are providing means of livelihood for honest families and also ensuring that these beautiful trees remain around for many years to come.

Agarwood oil is costly, not only because it is rare but also it is of extremely high quality. All the work in making this oil is done by hand, with sincere dedication and respect for the trees and the land. Unlike earlier days, steam distillation method is not used now for its distillation. Instead CO2 extraction method is now being used as it is more environment-friendly.