What is an Oud / Oudh Oil?

Oud oil is derived from an Agarwood tree that grows abundantly in Laos, but is found all over Southeast Asia. The highest quality Agarwood trees can be found in the former countries of Indochina, such as: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Agarwood/ Oud oil are products of infected species of trees, commonly being sought from Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees. These trees form resins that can then produce some of the highest quality oud oils. Of the 11 species of Aquilaria trees, found in Laos, it is thought that 4-6 of them can produce the highly acclaimed Oudh oil resin. The best oud oil results from an entire tree being infected with high quality, dense resin and oil. The results are achieved by allowing plenty of time for infection to take place, and preferably in the forest or other non-contrived settings. This infection, in the past, was believed to be caused insect infestation. Eventually, this infection will cause the tree to die, and Agarwood resin can then be chipped away, in various grades of quality, and sold. The lesser quality Agarwood has a whitish color and contains less resin. They are graded, chopped, shredded, soaked, distilled, dried, and rolled into incense sticks. The uninfected Agarwood has no scented value. Oud oil has an eccentric, as well as, acquired fragrance. It is regarded as a very sophisticated and highly prized Oudh fragrance in the Arab world. Written by: Ishaaq Abdulwaahid Fragrance and Things, Inc. http://www.fragranceandthings.com ialwaahid@fragranceandthings.com Source used for article: Enfleurage.com