- Author: GREAT MASTER VIKRANT ROHIN
- Date: MAY 3, 2023
WHY YOU MUST USE AGARWOOD
INTRODUCTION
Agarwood is a valuable non-timber forest product, also known as EAGLEWOOD, CHEN XIANG OR GAHARU, botanical name Aquilaria malaccensis.
- The species of the genus occur predominantly in South and Southeast Asia. Aquilaria species grow agarwood as a part of a defensive mechanism to fight off pathogens, which can be used for incense, perfume, and traditional medicines. In South and East Asia and the Middle East, the main markets for these goods are. The high agarwood prices have resulted in the rapid decline of Aquilaria trees in natural forests. From one country to another the search for agarwood has spread. Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are the primary supplies at present. The species was placed on CITES Appendix II as endangered due to the rapid decline of agarwood in the wild.
- Efforts have been made to increase the yield of the infected wood by wounding the trees purposely. A number of methods are used for this purpose. Some techniques recently developed have proven to be the most effective. This led to the planting of Aquilaria trees by small holders and large plantations of the industrial scale.
HOLY WOOD-WOOD AND OIL OF THE GOD
Its weight in gold is well worth the Agarwood. Interestingly, it is the result of a genetic mutation of the aquilaria tree by naturally occurring bacteria in the wilderness. Agarwood is basically resinous heartwood, which slowly releases an exotic and heady fragrance, also known as ‘wood of God’. For the development of incense, religious products, soaps, fragrances, food aromas and even aphrodisiacs, it remains the main ingredient.
HISTORY IN RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES
HINDUISM
There are references to agarwood in the literature of India.
THE INDIAN POET KALIDASA ONCE WROTE: “Beautiful ladies, preparing themselves for the feast of pleasures, cleanse themselves with the yellow powder of sandal, clear and pure, freshen their breast with pleasant aromas, and suspended their dark hair in the smoke of burning Aloes wood.” “मुसब्बर की लकड़ी इंद्र की लकड़ी है” यह लकड़ी न केवल बुरी आत्माओं को दूर करती है बल्कि आपके जीवन में सौभाग्य भी लाती है। AGARWOOD NOT ONLY DRIVES AWAY EVIL SPIRITS BUT ALSO BRINGS GOOD LUCK TO YOUR LIFE.
VEDAS: Are considered as being part of the oldest religious texts in the world. They partially explain how to achieve rites, which have a major role in the practice of Hinduism. These rites are integrated in the everyday life of believers. They often include an oblation to fire where food and incense are sacrificed.
- Among the plants which serve as incense, the wood of agar occupies an important place.
- Moreover, it is often quoted in Vedas texts and in other sacred texts crowned as Puranas or the incredible saga Mahâbhârata (used during funeral ceremonies) under the name of aguru:
- “ The men and women of the city, arrayed in spotless raiment and anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste, wore precious necklaces, flower garlands and jeweled ornaments, and their opulent homes were filled with the aroma of aguru “, Bhagavata Purana.
- During official ceremonies which took place in temples, it was often mixed with other substances as sandalwood. So for example, every month Hindus would offer plants and particular flowers to the Gods, agarwood would be offered in June.
- It is the most used incense in worship which occurs in houses, on daily basis, and its smell is what Indian associate to home and the comfort of family life. Its use is so frequent as it is from the word agar that the word incense, agarbatti, found its origin.
- The Hindus consider that agarwood has the best exudation being the most pleasant incense for a number of divinities. It is the favorite incense of God Krishna, whose body smells agar.
CHRISTIANS
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MOST SACRED WOOD IN CHRISTIANITY IS AGARWOOD, THE WOOD OF GOD?
- Agarwood, known as aloes wood, appeared in the holy BIBLE
Jesus’ body was anointed with myrrh and agarwood after being crucified. It was also customary practice for the bride and groom to plant an agarwood tree as part of their wedding celebration in the early Christian church. Agarwood has long been valued by Catholicism, Protestantism, and other Christian religions.
- In addition, priests and Christian believers use agarwood in blessings, prayers, and funerals
Agarwood, aloes wood is mentioned in the holy Bible
SYMBOL
- It is also used as a symbol of prayer and to represent the prayers of the faithful rising to god.
- It removes the bad omen and protects kids’ health.
- During witch, hunting agarwood was used by witch hunters because it was considered a sanctified wood.
- Brings good fortunes in the future.
“ ALOES THAT JEHOVAH HAS PLANTED
Agar wood was named the wood of God. The reason Jehovah has planted it
“Aloes that Jehovah has planted (Number 24:5-5)”
According to Jehovah’s Witnesses
The Bible says that aloes were used to perfume garments and beds (Psalm 45:8 Proverbs 7 :17: song f Solomon 4: 14)
The Bible compares the tents of Israel to “aloes that Jehovah has planted.
This may refer to the shape of an agarwood tree which can reach a height of about 100 feet and spread outward
In short aloes wood(agarwood) s a thoughtful gist for Christians as it helps them feel spiritually connected to God. The Bible mentioned the tree was planted by God Jehovah. You can use agarwood chips, agarwood incense, and agarwood oils to achieve this connection. If you are looking for an aromatic way to deepen your spiritual practice, try our agarwood range today.
BUDDHISM
Pieces of agarwood are agarwood powder is used in meditation, scripture chanting and other holy ceremonies. Agarwood is also used in making malas to be hung around necks and wrists. It is common for a Buddhist to hold a malas in his/her hand when reciting the scripture.
In china agarwood is describe as wood of heaven.
- In Japan agarwood is said to have arrived with Buddhism.
- In Vietnam ancient text refer to the use of agarwood about travelling Buddhist monk to keep them calm and siren.
ISLAM – MUSLIMS
PROPHET MUHAMMAD USE IT: A type of aloe wood that gives perhaps the best smell is known in Arabia as the Oud, and Ayesha reports: “The Oud was the best type of perfume the Prophet loved.”
MOST IMPORTANT WOOD IN ISLAM: Muslims believe that Agarwood/Oud is used not only to cure certain diseases for humans but also to connect spirituality. Using Agarwood/Oud helps to connect our aspirations with god faster and make wishes come true. Unusually, for Islam, Agarwood/Oud is used as a symbol of love
THE PERFUME USED IN HOLIEST PLACE IN ISLAM: Attar of agarwood is used by Muslims in Kaaba agarwood (oud),
Book 27 of Sahih Muslims 5601
Nafi reported that when uma wanted fumigation he got it from aloes wood without mixing anything with it.
Book 55 of Sahih Bukhari 544
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah apostle said,” The first group of people who will enter in paradise, will be glittering like a moon and those who will follow them will glitter like the most brilliant star in the sky, their combs will be of gold, and their sweat will smell like musk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centers
AGARWOOD AND ROYALTIES
The most valuable and expensive timber currently in nature is Agarwood, Gaharu, Chen Xiang or Oudh. it is also known as the natural treasure and the WOOD OF GOD. The use of this treasured wood is dated as early as 600 AD and is also referred to as wood of aloes in the Bible.
- King Louis XIV of France had his shirts washed in rose water in which Aloeswood had been previously boiled. What is Louis XIV known for? Louis XIV, king of France (1643–1715), ruled his country, principally from his great palace at Versailles, during one of the country’s most brilliant periods. Today he remains the symbol of the absolute monarchy of the classical age. Louis 14 gives full credit to agarwood
- The “Wood of the Gods” has at least a 3,000-year history in the Middle East, Japan, and China. Only Kings and the very wealthy were able to benefit from its powers.
WHAT IS AGARWOOD
One of the most desirable and rare raw ingredients found in perfumery is agarwood, popularly referred to as oud or oudh. The indescribably deep, woody, balsamic scent of oud comes from the immune defense of the Aquliaria tree species found throughout Southeast Asia.
When the light heartwood of the Aquliaria tree becomes infected with fungal disease, the tree combats infection by forming a dark, highly fragrant resin. It is this rich, resinous wood found within the core of the tree that is used across various methods to extract the powerful oud scent.
EXPENSIVE
It is true that Agarwood/Aloeswood/Oudh Oil, today prized over pure gold, is the most valuable and costly oil commodity on Earth. 2012 retail prices around the world have risen dramatically due to the over-harvesting of whole forests as well as the highly labor-intensive method of artisan distillation, and are typically US$ 8,000-US$ 32,000 and up for a kilogram of Aloeswood chips and anywhere from US$ 8,000-US$ 61,000 for a single liter of pure Aloeswood Oil. It’s difficult to believe, but it happens on global markets every day, Only in the South East Asia region can this precious wood be found, and each region produces different species of wood, all of which are highly sought after in the Middle East, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Currently, Gaharu’s annual exports from Malaysia are RM 72 million per year. There have been several recorded cases of robbery and theft in the wild as a result of the high value and demand for Agarwood
Only a small percentage of the Aquilaria trees naturally become infected and produce agarwood. The result is low yields surrounding the harvest of agarwood, making it one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world. Although the scent of agarwood isn’t for everyone, the appreciation for oud throughout the Middle Eastern and Asian regions, and more recently European and Western markets, has steadily increased. Popular in niche perfumes and high-end ambient scenting applications, the composition of agarwood oil is particularly complex, with well over a hundred compounds identified. The scent is notably potent and can smell resinous, earthy, animalic, sweet, and floral with many variances, resulting in a rewarding and complex olfactory experience, truly the wood of gods.
USES OF AGARWOOD
HEALTH BENEFITS: Traditionally, Gaharu tea has been known to provide its consumers with many beneficial properties. It also contains high levels of ANTI-CARCINOGEN, ANTI-OXIDANT AND ANTI-AGING PROPERTIES and is rich in essential NUTRIENTS SUCH AS CALCIUM, ZINC, IRON, MANGANESE, AND VITAMINS. It treats poor liver function and is a tonic that maintains, stabilizes, and reduces blood pressure for a healthy liver. Reducing insomnia (sleeping difficulty) is beneficial and provides a soothing effect, a stress reliever. It preserves, stabilizes, and decreases the amount of diabetic blood sugar. It treats the lymphatic system (body defense system), improves constipation, stomach cramps, gassing, diarrhea
PERFUMERY: A precious fragrance, oud has been used for centuries and is closely associated with many cultural and religious practices. Agarwood can be crafted into wooden beads for lightly scented jewelry and, similar to incense, the wood chips can be burnt to saturate interiors and clothing with the oud fragrance. Although, the most potent form of the fragrance can be experienced from pure oud essential oil. The benefits of oud range from its restorative and calming properties to its ability to improve mental clarity and act as an aphrodisiac. Apart from the fragrance, agarwood is widely used for many natural medicinal purposes to cure digestive, respiratory, and generalized pain issues among others.
FAQS
Which type of Agarwood is best? crassna are the best-known species that produce agarwoWhich country has the best agarwood? : According to Professor Gishi Honda (Tokyo University – Japan), Aquilaria Crassna species in Vietnam produces the best Agarwood in the world.od. Aquilaria is derived from the Latin word aquila meaning eagle. Trees of other genera, namely, Gonystylus and Gyrinops, also produce agarwood but are not recognized for production at commercial scales.
Which country has the best agarwood? : According to Professor Gishi Honda (Tokyo University – Japan), Aquilaria Crassna species in Vietnam produces the best Agarwood in the world.
