History of Oud
Historians can trace the use of Oud also known as agarwood back to ancient times. The Prophet, Mohammad, held the tradition of fumigation with agarwood. This practice continues in the Muslim world to this day. The Holy Prophet referred to agarwood as a distinct item found in Paradise.
The Value of Oud Essential Oil
Known as the “five thousand dollar per pound scent,” Oud is by far one of the most expensive raw fragrance ingredients in the world. The essential oil is extracted from the fungus-infected resinous heartwood of the agar tree. It is either extracted by distillation from the wood or by melting the resin.
It is believed that for every ten trees in the wild, only one will have an infected heartwood. Expert perfumers seek out these older trees because of the superior richness of the resin’s aroma. Unfortunately, many of these older trees are now considered threatened species.
The annual Oud market gleans around $6 billion, and its value is often estimated as one-and-a-half times the value of gold. For these reasons, it is sometimes referred to as “liquid gold.”
The Fragrance
The fragrance is comprised of many diverse aspects. It is simultaneously pungent, yet very pleasing, invoking warm, smoky notes with tinges of dampened wood. Although blended with touches of floral and fruit, the predominant scent is musky and sensual. The complex and exquisite fragrance of Oud is a precious, rare and intriguing gift of nature. When blended with other essential oils it creates an olfactory experience that permeates any interior environment with a sense of opulence, luxury and supreme comfort.
Benefits and Uses of Oud
This exquisite essential oil has many applications that range from spiritual to therapeutic and medicinal. It is often associated with harmony, serenity of spirit and when applied regularly, the removal of destructive and negative energies in the home. A highly effective aid for meditation, it is also known to enhance mental clarity and ease neurotic and obsessive behavior.
In the Middle East, both men and women burn Oud wood chips to scent their houses and their clothes. Many Muslims believe that their prayers rise with the scented smoke of agarwood and are carried straight to the Creator.
Based on article by Alpha Aromatics
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