Essential Nose Logo Essential Nose

Billions of blends. Find yours.

Agarwood

Aquilaria crassna

Agarwood essential oil

Agarwood oil is produced when Aquilaria heartwood responds to microbial infection by accumulating complex sesquiterpenes — principally agarospirol, jinkoh-eremol, and related chromone compounds — that give the oil its characteristic deep, balsamic-woody character. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity have been confirmed across multiple experimental models.[1] The sesquiterpene and chromone profiles vary markedly between the four main Aquilaria species, accounting for regional differences in aroma character.[2]

Also Known As
Oud, Aloeswood
Family
Woody
Perfumery Note
Base
Intensity
Very Strong
Extraction
Steam Distillation
Plant Parts
Resinous heartwood
Origins
Cambodia, India, Thailand
Effect
Grounding & Centering
Aroma
Woody, Rich, Complex
Applications
Perfumery, Aromatherapy
Price
$$$$Only forms in Aquilaria trees infected with specific mold; extremely rare and endangered
Blend

References

  1. [1]Screening of anticancer activity from agarwood essential oil — Aisha AFA et al. BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014
  2. [2]Overview of sesquiterpenes and chromones of agarwood originating from four main species of the genus Aquilaria — Lee SY et al. Phytochemistry, 2022