Main Menu | Aloeswood Information | Frankincense Information
Aloeswood/Oud information
ALOES WOOD, Aquilara Malaccensis Lam.
(Chi): Chen xiang
(Jap): Jin-ko; Kyara
(Skt): Agaru; Tagara; Kalaguru
Common names:
Aguru, Ch'En Hsiang, Ch'Ing Kuei Hsiang, Chan Hsiang, Chi Ku Hsiang, Huang Shu Hsiang, Eagle wood, Agila wood, Agar wood, Oud, Ude, Ud, Ood, Oode, Aloeswood, Agarwood, Jinkoh, Jinko.
Preferred Name: Aquilaria malaccensis Lam.
Synonym: Aquilaria Agallocha Robx.
Taxonomic Position
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Spermatophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Thymelaeales
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Aquilaria is an evergreen tree growing up to 40 meters high and 60 centimeters in diameter. It bears snow-white flowers, sweetly scented. These trees are native to Northern India, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. These trees frequently become infected with a fungus and begin to produce an aromatic resin commonly called Aloeswood, Agarwood, and Oud. This resin is used by Traditional Chinese, Unanai, Ayuravedic, and Tibetan physicians. The resin is created in response to an attack from Phialophora parasitica, which is a parasite fungus or mould.
The fungal attack creates an immune response in the tree. This is commonly known as agar #1. An inferior resin is created by the wounding of aquilaria trees. this is commonly called agar #2.
The fungus and decomposition process continue to generate a very rich and dark resin to form within its heartwood. This is the preferred resin used in making fine Japanese incense. The resin created as an immune response makes the most sacred oil on the planet. As you can see the wood is extremely rare and often very difficult to obtain, as well as being quite expensive. The best quality is Kyara. Kyara comes in four types: Green, Iron, Purple, and Black.
There are many stories about aloeswood being buried under the ground for hundreds of years. This legend comes from an old Chinese book on incense, but today most aloeswood comes from infected trees that, although in the process of decaying and dying, are indeed still standing. However, sometimes the roots become infected with the fungus and these can be found underground.
It is believed the famous piece of aloeswood called Ranjatai was presented by Komyo Emperor for Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan, in the year 756(1244 years ago). Ranjatai was kept in the Shosoin warehouse of Todaiji Temple. Today, Ranjatai belongs to the Royal family of Japan. Every autumn, many treasures of Shosoin are exhibited in National Museum in Nara, titled Shosoin Ten (Exhibition). Ranjatai can be seen there every 10 or 15 years. Because there are many treasures in Shosoin, every year, they change the object of exhibition. The last exhibition of Ranjatai was four years ago, it may be ten years before we see Ranjatai again. Ranjatai has been now been identified as coming from Laos or Vietnam by Japan's leading expert on Aloeswood, Dr. Yoneda from Osaka University.
Aloeswood is a very popular ingredient in Japanese incense, and is often used in some Tibetan medicinal incense formulas.
Classifications of Aloes wood
Traditional Japanese Classification
Rikkoku or the six kinds of Aloes woods (lit. Six countries): Kyara, Manaban, Rakoku, Manaka, Sumotara, Sasora
1. Kyara
This is the most famous and well known of all Aloes wood some believe to come from either Vietnam or Cambodia. Kyara is a particular odour described as:
"A gentle and dignified smell with a touch of bitterness. The fragrance is like an aristocrat in its elegance and gracefulness."
Kiyoko Morita notes in her book "The book of Incense" that opinions differ from incense masters on what is kyara.
2. Rakoku
A sharp and pungent smell similar to sandalwood. Its smell is generally bitter, and reminds one of a warrior.
3. Manaka
Smells light and enticing, changing like the mood of a woman with bitter feelings. The fragrance is of good quality if it disappears quickly. None of the five qualities are easily detectable.
4. Manaban
Mostly sweet, the presence of sticky oil on a mica plate is often present after smoldering Manaban. The smell is coarse and unrefined, just like that of a peasant.
5. Sumotara
Sour at the beginning and end. Sometimes mistaken for Kyara, but with something distasteful and ill bred about it, like a peasant disguised as a noble.
6. Sasora
Cool and sour. Good-quality sasora is mistaken for kyara, especially at the beginning. It reminds one of a monk. Sometimes very light and disappearing.
**Five associations used to classify aloes wood aromas in ancient Japan.
- Sweet -- Resembles the smell of honey or sugar
- Sour -- Resembles the smell of plums or other acidic foods.
- Hot -- Resembles the smell of peppers on a fire.
- Salty -- Resemble the smell of ocean water when seaweed is dried on a fire.
- Bitter -- Resembles the smell of bitter herbal medicine when it is mixed or boiled.
QUOTES ON AQUILARIA
"Aquilaria has been used to enhance cerebral function, balance the mind/body connection and the nervous system."
Powerful and Unusual Herbs from the Amazon and China, The World Preservation Society, Inc. 1993,1995
"...Soft, soft I have made my bed, spread it with embroidered tapestries of Egyptian wool; freshly scented is that bower of mine with Myrrh and Aloes and Cinnamon. Come, let us lose ourselves in dalliance, all the night through, let us enjoy the long desired embrace..." Proverbs:7:16-19.
In "The Song of Songs" Solomon says: "What wealth of grace is here...no lack of Spikenard or Saffron, of Calamus or Incense tree, of Myrrh...of Aloes or any rarest perfume."
In Psalm 44, verse 9 it says (of the King): "Thy garments are scented with Myrrh and Aloes and Cassia..."
King Louis XIV of France had his shirts washed in rose water in which Aloes wood had been previously boiled.
The Indian poet Kalidasa once wrote: "Beautiful ladies, preparing themselves for the feast of pleasures, cleanse themselves with the yellow powder of sandal, clear and pure, freshen their breast with pleasant aromas, and suspend their dark hair in the smoke of burning aloes."
*Text compiled and written by David Oller.
Article originally published at: www.scents-of-earth.com