Agarwood oil, also known as oud, aloeswood, or gaharu, is one of the most revered and valuable natural fragrances in the world. Extracted from the resinous heartwood of Aquilaria trees, agarwood oil has captivated the senses and souls of ancient civilizations for thousands of years. Its history is deeply intertwined with spirituality, royalty, and luxury—from the incense-filled temples of India and China to the palaces of the Middle East.
This article explores the fascinating journey of agarwood oil through history, examining how various cultures used this precious resin in religious rituals, medicine, and daily life, and how its allure has persisted through the ages.
What Is Agarwood?
Agarwood is formed when certain species of Aquilaria trees become infected by a natural mold (Phialophora parasitica). In response, the tree produces a dark, fragrant resin that saturates the wood over time. This resinous wood, when distilled, yields agarwood oil—an earthy, woody, sweet, and complex scent that is cherished in perfumery and spiritual practices.
The rarity of the resin, combined with the time it takes to form (often decades), makes agarwood oil one of the most expensive natural products in the world, sometimes fetching thousands of dollars per kilogram.
Agarwood in Ancient India
India holds one of the oldest records of agarwood use. Mentioned in the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism dating back over 3,000 years, agarwood was used in:
- Religious rituals and fire offerings (yajnas), where its fragrant smoke was believed to purify the environment and invoke the divine.
- Ayurvedic medicine, where agarwood (known as krishna agaru) was used as a remedy for various ailments including respiratory problems, stress, and skin disorders.
- Perfumery, especially in royal courts where oud was blended into oils and attars for anointing and personal scent.
The Sanskrit term “agaru” is still used today in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeias, indicating its lasting significance.
China’s Fragrant Legacy
In ancient China, agarwood was known as “chen xiang” (沉香), meaning “sinking fragrance,” due to its high density that causes it to sink in water—a hallmark of premium quality. Chinese records from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) describe agarwood being imported through trade routes from Southeast Asia.
Uses in ancient Chinese civilization included:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, asthma, and as a calming agent.
- Incense burning in Daoist and Buddhist temples: Believed to aid meditation and connect the spirit to the divine.
- Literary symbolism: Agarwood became a symbol of nobility, purity, and sophistication, often mentioned in classical poetry and literature.
As early as the 7th century, Chinese emperors collected agarwood as tribute, and nobles prized it for its rarity and calming effects.
Agarwood in the Islamic World and the Middle East
Perhaps nowhere has agarwood had such spiritual and cultural resonance as in the Islamic world, where it is known as oud (عود).
Religious & Spiritual Use:
- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported in various hadiths to have used oud in perfumery and recommended it during prayer and for purification.
- Oud is commonly burned in mosques and homes during religious occasions like Eid, Friday prayers, and Ramadan to enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
Personal and Cultural Identity:
- Oud oil is widely used in personal grooming, especially in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, where both men and women anoint themselves with agarwood oil as a daily ritual and social symbol.
- It has deep cultural roots in hospitality traditions, where guests are welcomed with the burning of agarwood chips (bukhoor) as a sign of respect and warmth.
Historically, agarwood oil was imported via maritime trade routes from India and Southeast Asia and was often stored in intricately carved bottles, regarded as prized possessions.
The Role of Agarwood in Ancient Japan
In Japan, agarwood arrived during the Asuka period (6th century CE), likely through Buddhist monks traveling from China and Korea. It quickly became a central part of Kōdō, the Japanese “Way of Incense,” a refined art form that treats incense appreciation as a meditative, almost spiritual practice.
Key historical notes:
- The oldest surviving piece of agarwood in Japan, Ranjatai, is preserved at the Shōsōin Repository in Nara. It was presented to Emperor Shōmu in the 8th century and is considered a national treasure.
- Samurai warriors would use agarwood incense to perfume their armor before going into battle, believing it brought mental clarity and strength.
Even today, Japan’s legacy of incense culture, especially with high-grade agarwood, continues with ceremonial incense competitions and rituals.
Agarwood in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is both the birthplace and the primary source of wild agarwood. Countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia have long traditions of harvesting and using agarwood for both spiritual and medicinal purposes.
In Vietnam, agarwood (trầm hương) is used in ancestral worship, where it is burned as incense to connect with past generations and show reverence. The wood is also carved into prayer beads and amulets believed to bring protection and luck.
In Indonesia, especially among Javanese and Balinese communities, agarwood oil has been used in ritual ceremonies, temple offerings, and traditional healing.
Agarwood as a Commodity in Ancient Trade
Throughout history, agarwood was a high-value commodity that moved along the ancient Incense Routes, Silk Road, and Maritime Spice Routes. Traders from Arabia, China, India, and Southeast Asia exchanged it for gold, silk, spices, and precious stones.
It was considered a diplomatic gift among royals and emperors. Historical documents record agarwood being gifted from Southeast Asian rulers to Chinese emperors and from Indian kings to Persian courts.
Due to its value, agarwood has been referred to as “wood of the gods”, a fitting name for a substance that bridged kingdoms, cultures, and faiths.
Conclusion: A Timeless Fragrance
The history of agarwood oil is not just a story of scent, but a story of spirituality, identity, and cultural connection. Across continents and millennia, this aromatic resin has served as a symbol of purity, a medium for prayer, and a luxury item reserved for the elite.
From the temples of ancient India to the incense ceremonies of Kyoto, from the courts of Arabia to the rituals of Vietnam, agarwood oil has touched lives with its complex aroma and deep meaning.
Today, while modern perfumers craft new blends with oud, and collectors seek rare resins, the ancient reverence remains. Agarwood oil is not just a fragrance—it’s a link to the sacred, the historical, and the eternal.
