Oud is the Arabic term for the incense that is derived from Agarwood, known in English as Aloes wood. It is the most expensive wood in the world that has acquired worth and value in many cultures for its distinctive fragrance.
The tree is exclusive to particular regions growing mostly in India Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia and Brunei. It is left to mature for several hundred years before the fragrant wood is extracted for use in incense and perfumes.
The essential oil gained from Agarwood has acquired cultural and religious significance around the world dating back to ancient civilisation. The scent of oud gained extensive popularity across the Middle East and has become a popular domestic fragrance. It is also traditionally used as a welcoming aroma. The tree has two fragrance-based uses serving in solid and liquid form. The solid form of oud takes natural shape in pieces of wood that release their scent once mildly heated. The trapped oil is subsequently released once the outer layer of wood is naturally smouldered. The liquid form is oil-based and its tenacious nature allows for a lasting effect. Oud provides an alternative to perfumes of a chemically-laden nature. The rich mystic scent is also used as an aid to spiritual meditation enhancing mental clarity. The tree begins to produce aromatic residue in response to frequent attacks of natural fungal or mould infections. The fragrant resin forms in the trunk and roots that have been infected. The increase in mass and density caused by the infection leads to a radical change in colouring. The wood of the Agarwood tree is thus transformed from light beige to dark brown or black.
The botanical name for the Agarwood tree is Aquilara Malaccensis Lam. Its growth potential reaches 40 meters in height and extends to 60 centimetres in diameter. Arabian Oud is proud to make this rare and precious product available to western societies.
Arabian Oud
