Treasures of the World

22 March 2022

Agarwood is one of the greatest treasures of the world. It has multiple uses with extraordinary benefits. The formation of Agarwood takes many years and naturally formed Agarwood has become so rare, the majority of Agarwood being sold is mostly from cultivated plantations.  

Agarwood is formed in the heartwood of auilaria trees. The formation occurs when the tree is injured by external stress factors such as lightning strikes, animal forage, insect attack or microbial invasion. The tree's natural defence system then starts to secrete a resin compound to protect itself from further injury.  The part of the wood containing the resin is Agarwood. The heartwood which is originally odourless and light coloured, turns dark coloured.   

For an aquilaria tree to produce high quality and sufficient yield of Agarwood, the tree has to be about 50 to 80 years old and it takes about 10 to 15 years from the time of infection. Not all infected trees will produce Agarwood. Only about 10 to 15% of them will eventually produce agarwood. 

Till today, the complex chemical composition of Agarwood has not been fully understood. Hence, it is impossible to artificially duplicate the same unique aroma and beneficial properties. 

There are mainly 4 species of Aquilaria trees. Agarwood is found in China, India and South East Asian countries.

There are both cultivated and naturally formed Agarwood in the market, with the latter commanding a much higher price. If you are looking for natural Agarwood, do keep in mind to buy only CITES certified agarwood, to safeguard the limited resources from being overly exploited. 

Agarwood is graded according to  its resin content, colour, scent and sinkage (how far it will sink in water). Other considerations include cultivation inducing method and country of origin. Every country has its own grading assessment system so it may be difficult to compare 2 pieces of agarwood from different sources. 

A good quality Agarwood may not necessarily have an intense scent. Very often,  the scent is softer as the Agarwood releases the aroma gradually. It will linger in the room for a longer period even after it is kept away. Good quality Agarwood burns slowly and evenly. When you burn it, the scent is stronger while still soothing and pleasing. A bad quality one when burnt can possibly irritate our nose and eyes. 

Colour can range from black and different shades of brown to yellowish white, with the latter of lower grade.  

Agarwood has been used in Chinese traditional medicine since the 5th century, as a natural sedative, pain reliever and digestive aid. In Arabic medicine, agarwood is used for aromatherapy. It is also a highly valued ingredient for making incense used in Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic ceremonies.  The pleasant aroma is a form of respect for the gods and deities.

Many people believe that agarwood has magical properties to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to the people wearing it. The scent is also said to attract the divine. 

There are a few ways to explain this. 

Agarwood is of high Yang energy. In traditional Chinese medicine, agarwood is known to promote circulation of the Qi and restore the Yin and Yang balance in the body. Similarly, from the  Feng Shui perspective, agarwood enhances the energy flow in the house or office, boosting positive vibes in people.

The unique, intriguing scent is also a major benefit in terms of Feng Shui, creating a calming and delightful ambience, which brings about a harmonious environment. With less conflicts, people relationships are well-maintained and things do get on more smoothly. Wearing an agarwood bracelet is like bringing all these benefits with you wherever you go.  

When one is feeling good and positive, good luck comes your way. Kind of difficult for evil spirits, if any, to come near you.