Agarwood

Agarwood, also known as aloeswood or oud, is the dark, resin-impregnated heartwood of several species of trees in the genera Aquilaria and Gyrinops. The resin forms as a defensive response to infection by certain fungi in the heartwood, and only a portion of the tree may become resinous; the resulting material is highly valued for its fragrance.

The resin can be harvested as chips or blocks for incense and carvings, and can be distilled to produce agarwood oil, an essential fragrance used in perfumery. The resulting scent is typically described as rich, sweet, woody, and balsamic, with notes that vary by species and age.

Agarwood is native to Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia, with major sources in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The most economically important species include Aquilaria malaccensis, Aquilaria crassna, and Aquilaria sinensis, along with species of the related genus Gyrinops. The material can be highly variable in quality, depending on the extent of resin formation.

Because resin production depends on fungal infection, natural populations have declined from overharvesting and habitat loss. Many agarwood trees are threatened, and trade is regulated under international conventions and national laws. Cultivation and plantation programs aim to sustainably produce resin-bearing trees, while some producers use artificial inoculation to induce resin formation. Synthetic oud oils and substitutes are also used in perfumery.

Agarwood has a long cultural history in incense, traditional medicine, and luxury perfumery across Asia and the Middle East, where it remains among the most valuable natural aromatics.