Agar (Ood Hindi)

Agarwood and oud are actually the exact same material, with "agar" and "ood" (or oudh) being different regional and linguistic names for the fragrant, resinous heartwood of the Aquilaria tree.

What is the Relationship?

• Agarwood: The common botanical and commercial name for the dense, dark wood.

• Oud (Ood): The Arabic term (ʿūd) for the wood, its extracted oil, or its heavy fragrance.

• Other Names: It is also known as aloeswood, eaglewood, gaharu, or agaru in Ayurveda.

How it Forms

• The Tree: It grows primarily in tropical rainforests across South and Southeast Asia.

• The Infection: Healthy Aquilaria heartwood is pale and scentless. When infected by a specific mold (Phaeoacremonium parasitica), the tree fights back by flooding the heartwood with a dark, aromatic resin.

• The Harvest: This dense, resin-saturated heartwood is harvested to produce luxury perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine.

Uses and Benefits

• Perfumery & Incense: Prized globally for a rich, woody, and smoky scent profile.

• Ayurvedic Medicine: Known as Agaru, the powder or oil is traditionally used to help manage joint pain, reduce inflammation, soothe digestive issues, and relieve respiratory problems like asthma. You can read more about its therapeutic properties at Easy Ayurveda