Oudh Oil / Attar: The Most Expensive Oil in the World
Agarwood oil, often called Oudh oil, is an exceptionally rare and valuable natural oil derived from the resinous heartwood of agarwood trees, belonging to the Aquilaria species in the Thymelaecea family. These evergreen trees thrive in various parts of Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, and Thailand. Oudh (Agarwood) forms when the tree becomes infected by the parasitic fungus Phaeoacremonium parasitica, either naturally or through artificial means. In response, the tree produces a dark, aromatic resin that protects and heals the infected areas.
The Oudh oil is extracted from resin-infused wood chips using hydro-distillation and supercritical carbon dioxide methods, combining traditional and modern techniques. Known for its complex composition, agarwood oil contains over 150 identified compounds, with sesquiterpenes being the primary contributors to its unique and enchanting aroma. The first-grade oil is among the most expensive natural oils globally and holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in various traditions for its medicinal, aromatic, and sacred qualities.
Geography and Cultivation
Agarwood trees are fast-growing subtropical evergreens that can reach heights of 15–30 meters and trunk diameters of 0.4–0.8 meters. They thrive in forest soils rich in organic matter, with an ideal pH range of 4.5–7.0, but can also grow in dry lands with adequate irrigation. These trees are cultivated through seeds, with young saplings requiring protection from extreme heat during their initial year of growth. Artificial inoculation methods are now commonly employed, wherein the fungus is introduced into the tree through drilled holes. Resin production begins within 1–2 years of inoculation, and harvesting is timed to ensure optimal resin formation.
Species and Distribution
Sixteen species of Aquilaria are known to produce agarwood, with distribution spanning countries like the Philippines (A. apiculina), Indonesia (A. beccariana), Vietnam (A. baneonsis), India (A. khasiana), and China (A. sinensis). Each species produces oils with distinct chemical profiles and aromas due to variations in resin production, extraction methods, and environmental conditions.
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Oil Composition and Uses
Agarwood oil is rich in odorous compounds like agarospirol (woody, spicy), alpha guainene (sweet, woody), and jinkoh-eremol (woody, smoky). The composition varies across regions, with countries like Cambodia, India, and Vietnam showcasing different dominant compounds. The oil is prized for its antimicrobial, rejuvenating, anti-aging, and therapeutic properties. It is widely used in perfumery, aromatherapy, incense making, cosmetics, and traditional medicine.
Byproducts such as hydrosols and agarwood dust, often discarded during distillation, can be repurposed for fast-moving consumer goods, including hair and skincare products. Agarwood’s multifaceted value extends to every part of the tree, making it a globally treasured resource.
Odour-active compounds present in Agarwood oil and their odour description:
Sl. No. COMPOUNDS ODOUR DESCRIPTION
- Agarospirol Woody ,spicy, peppery,
- Alpha Guainene Sweet, woody ,balsam
- Alpha Humulene Woody
- Acorenone Warm, woody, spicy
- Beta Agarofuran Nutty, woody
- Beta elemene Herbal ,wax
- Epoxybulnesene Woody, nutty ,warm
- 9,11-eremophiladien-8-one Woody, smoky
- Jinkoh-eremol Woody, burnt
- Kusunol Woody, burnt
- Methyl geranate Floral woody,fruity
- Nor-ketoagarofuran Woody, burnt
- Selina-3,11-dien-14-al woody
These chemical compounds are responsible for the floral woody, smoky, slightly balsamic, and bitter Odour of agarwood oil.
The scent and quality of Oudh (agarwood) essential oil vary significantly depending on several factors that influence its chemical composition. These include:
- Resin formation triggered by natural fungal infections in wild agarwood.
- Resin development induced through artificial fungal inoculation in cultivated agarwood.
- The method used to extract agarwood oil from resinous wood chips or dust.
- The specific Agarwood species, as each has a unique chemical composition.
The agarwood tree is an incredibly valuable plant, with every part, including its leaves and distillation byproducts like agarwood dust, being useful for producing a variety of fast-moving consumer goods. Agarwood oil is prized for its numerous properties, such as antimicrobial, rejuvenating, healing, relaxing, aphrodisiac, analgesic, skin-detoxifying, anti-depressant, and anti-aging effects (addressing wrinkles, fine lines, and marks). These benefits stem from its rich composition of chemical compounds. Agarwood oil and its related products have extensive applications
