Agarwood
History
Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.) has been recognized for thousands of years as a valuable commodity in the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Historical records show that agarwood was used in religious ceremonies, traditional medicine, and as a luxurious fragrance since the time of Ancient Egypt, Rome, and the Chinese Dynasty.
In Indonesia, agarwood is mainly produced from the species “Aquilaria malaccensis” and “Aquilaria microcarpa”. This wood is formed by infection with the fungus “Phialophora parasitica” or similar, which produces high-value aromatic resins.
Products
a. Raw Agarwood. Wood trunks that have been infected by fungi, containing dark resins and a distinctive aroma.
b. Essential oil, obtained from distilling agarwood wood or powder.
c. Agarwood Powder, used for incense, traditional medicine, or perfume blends.
d. Agarwood Incense and Hio, used for religious rituals (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam) or meditation.
e. Perfumes and Cosmetics, example: Luxury perfume with agarwood (oud) fragrance.
Distillation
Agarwood oil is the main product of distillation. The process involves:
1. "Steam distillation” of the wood or powder.
2. "Resin separation” to produce highly concentrated oil.
3. "Aging to improve aroma quality.
Benefits of Agarwood
- Aromatherapy: Calms the mind and reduces stress.
- Traditional Medicine: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and aphrodisiac.
- Religion: Used in rituals and meditation.
- "Lux Industry”: High-end perfume ingredient (e.g. Oud from French/Middle Eastern brands).
Gaharu Classification & Quality
• Gubal Gaharu
High-quality, dark-colored wood rich in fragrant resin (around 24,7% to 30,7%).
• Kemedangan
Medium-grade wood with lighter color and moderate resin content (around 8,5% to 12,2%).
• Abu Gaharu
Low-grade, consisting of wood powder or shavings with minimal resin (less than 8%), typically used for incense or extraction.