Agarwood

Agarwood is a type of wood found mostly in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia. Agarwood is a phenomenon seen in the heartwood and roots of the tree Aquilaria . Probably due to an infection by a fungus the tree produces, as a kind of immunal response, a precious resin.

It is used in Arabic countries (specially in the Persian Gulf) as incense. It is currently protected as an endangered species.

It is also known Gaharu in Chinese or Jinko in Japanese; other synonyms are Eaglewood, Aloeswood. It is known as Oud in Arabic which also refers to the oil distilled from Agarwood.

Singapore is a hub for Agarwood products.

External Links

• http://forestpathology.coafes.umn.edu/agarwood.htm
• http://www.therainforestproject.net/page6.htm