Vietnamese Agarwood Incense

Agarwood (agaru, oudh, jinkoh, chenxiang) is one of the most exquisite incense-wood you will ever experience. It is a dark, resinous, fragrant wood that is used not only in incense-making but also in high-end perfumes and small carvings. First-grade agarwood is one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world, with 2010 prices for superior pure material as high as US$1000/kg and they are greatly sought after my devotees in the Middle-East, China and Japan.

This dark resinous wood is formed from the heartwood of aquilaria trees that grow in many parts of Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia & Cambodia) and eastern South Asia. Prior to infection, the heartwood is odorless, however, as the infection progresses, the tree produces a dark aromatic resin. Agarwood is now available from wild trees as well as from sustainably cultivated varietals. 

The odor of agarwood is complex and pleasing, with few or no similar natural analogues. In the perfume state, the scent is mainly distinguished by a combination of "oriental-woody" and "very soft fruity-floral" notes. The incense smoke is also characterized by a "sweet-balsamic" note and "shades of vanilla and musk" and amber. As far back as 1400 BCE, the Hindu Vedas were already extolling the qualities of agarwood. Agarwood is also mentioned in scriptures and medical texts of Buddhist, Christian and Muslim cultures.

In Tibetan medicine, agarwood is the main ingredient for treating what is known as "lhung" (Tib. rlung) disorders. Symptoms of lhung disorder resembles symptoms found in those suffering from extreme emotional swings, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, or bipolar disorder. Furthermore, a particular type of lhung disorder known as "sok lhung" tends to develop among those engaged in certain types intensive meditation or mantra practice. (See THIS article to learn more about "sok lhung" problems among practitioners). Although lhung disorder is a complex issue, regular use of agarwood incense can help prevent and pacify this problem. It is especially good to burn a stick of agarwood incense in the evening as one's day and its demands are winding down and one's body and mind are ready for rest and rejuvenation.

Note: these sticks are very delicate, please handle with care.