Perfumes, body oils, incense, and scented products from Aquilaria Tree

Date:March 13, 2015

Application

• Fragrance Industry: Oud is used in luxury perfumes, body oils, incense, and scented products, especially in high-end and artisanal brands.

Description

This project explores oud, a highly prized and rare fragrance ingredient derived from the agarwood tree. The wood becomes infused with a dark, aromatic resin when infected with mold, creating "liquid gold." Oud has been used for thousands of years in religious and cultural practices, particularly in the Middle East. Its popularity is growing globally, especially in luxury perfumes, with brands like Tom Ford, YSL, and Cartier incorporating oud in their fragrance collections. The project highlights its cultural significance, market growth, and the use of oud in premium products.

 

Pathway Description:

The process of producing oud begins when the agarwood tree (Aquilaria) becomes infected with mold. In response, the tree produces a dark resin known as oud or agarwood. This resin-saturated wood is then harvested and distilled to extract oud oil. The oil is used in perfumes and incense, valued for its unique, complex aroma.