Why does a piece of agarwood carry a value of up to billions of dong? The value of agarwood does not only lie in its rarity or age, but also clearly exists in life, from medicine, art, to spirituality and East Asian culture.

From the trunks of the Aquilaria tree

Aquilaria trees, or agarwood trees, are widely distributed in countries with hot and humid tropical climates in Southeast Asia and South Asia. The trees often grow deep in old forests, where there is high humidity, rich soil and little impact from humans. In Vietnam, the trees are widely distributed in the three regions of the North, Central and South. The most prominent is Khanh Hoa, which is known as the agarwood capital of the country. With ideal climate and soil conditions, Aquilaria trees here grow well and produce agarwood of the highest quality in the world. Agarwood is not only a precious product but also a typical cultural symbol of the province. The image of agarwood is honored through the Agarwood Tower project located in 2/4 Square, the center of Nha Trang city.

When injured by insects, mold, or environmental impacts, the Aquilaria tree does not wither but secretes resin to heal itself. Over time, this resin penetrates deep into the wood, transforming into agarwood. This is a process that takes tens to hundreds of years, requiring perseverance and pure nature.

If not injured and not undergoing the self-healing process, the wood of the Aquilaria tree is just a normal wood, with low economic value. Aquilaria wood is relatively light, soft, not durable, and is rarely used in construction or interior decoration. However, people still take advantage of the Aquilaria tree for other purposes. The bark is used in some places to make fabric, rope or handicraft materials. Aquilaria trees can also be planted as shade trees, holding soil in steep hills. The roots help increase soil porosity, contributing to the restoration of natural forests. In addition, Aquilaria trees are also planted as potential raw materials in scientific research on agarwood. However, if agarwood is not formed, the total economic value of the tree is very limited. Therefore, the self-healing and agarwood-forming journey of the Aquilaria tree is what really makes this tree special.

Agarwood and medicine

The leaves of the Aquilaria tree are also valuable in both traditional and modern medicine. Aquilaria leaves contain the active ingredient Mangiferin, a powerful antioxidant with effective anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help reduce chronic diseases related to oxidative imbalance. The imbalance in the formation of oxygen-containing free radicals in the body is the cause of diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and rapid aging. Aquilaria leaves are also used as herbal tea, helping to cool the body, promote urination, aid digestion, reduce blood sugar and increase resistance.

Agarwood has long been considered a precious medicinal herb in Asian cultures such as China, India, Japan and Vietnam. Not only is it precious for its deep fragrance, agarwood also has many healing properties for both the body and mind.

The scent of agarwood when burned gently spreads in the air, helping to calm the mind, relax and soothe the spirit. This is a natural sleep aid, especially useful for those who often have insomnia or are under prolonged stress. People living near the gardens of dó bầu also said that they always feel refreshed thanks to the scent of agarwood every day.

Agarwood also contains active ingredients with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Agarwood essential oil is used to purify the air, deodorize and support the treatment of respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, coughs, and colds. In traditional medicine, agarwood is used to relieve headaches, joint pain, stomach pain and digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, and reflux. Modern research also shows that agarwood has the ability to enhance immunity, regulate the nervous system and slow down cell aging thanks to its strong antioxidant activity.

For the skin, agarwood is a gentle “friend”: skin care products containing agarwood essential oil help fight inflammation, soothe acne, fade scars and prevent aging.

However, before using agarwood as a treatment, users should consult a doctor or medical professional to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Agarwood in daily life

Agarwood is not only valuable in medicine but also appears commonly in many aspects of modern life and traditional culture.

Agarwood essential oil is one of the rarest and most expensive essential oils in the world. With its deep, warm and characteristic aroma, it is used as a high-class fixative in the perfume industry, helping to keep the scent long-lasting and creating a unique mark for each layer of scent. Because of its rarity and complexity in aroma, agarwood essential oil is always sought after by famous perfumers, becoming the main ingredient in many high-end and niche perfumes, product lines that symbolize sophistication, class and personality.

Agarwood is also crafted into many fine art items such as bracelets, agarwood landscapes, statues, pendants... with the concept of bringing luck, peace and fortune to the owner. Jewelry made from agarwood not only impresses with its rustic beauty, close to nature, but also spreads a characteristic, gentle, deep, and timeless fragrance, known as the " King of Fragrances ", something that not all types of wood can bring.

In the art of living, agarwood is present in tea ceremony, incense ceremony, yoga and meditation , helping to enhance emotional and spiritual experiences. The gentle scent of agarwood is believed to have the ability to expand consciousness, leading people back to a state of inner balance. In today's modern life, agarwood products are also commonly used to calm the mind, relax, relieve tension and stress , bringing a more peaceful, pure and relaxing living space for users.

Agarwood in beliefs and religions

For thousands of years, agarwood has been used as an indispensable part of religious ceremonies and spiritual beliefs throughout East Asia. With its deep, warm and tranquil scent, agarwood is considered a “bridge” between humans and the spiritual world, helping to purify the space, open the mind and guide prayers.

In Buddhism, incense smoke is offered as a form of offering, an expression of respect and purity. The scent from incense helps the worshiper to easily calm down, meditate, keep the mind and intention calm, and focus on truth, goodness and beauty. The space of the temple with the gentle scent of incense always brings a feeling of sacredness, relaxation, and closeness to the Buddha realm.

In Christianity, incense is also mentioned in the Bible and is one of the three offerings to the Child Jesus, symbolizing the ultimate reverence. During solemn masses, people burn incense (incense) to purify the space and the soul.

In Muslim countries, agarwood (oud) is an indispensable part of important prayers and religious ceremonies. It is believed that the smoke of agarwood can ward off evil spirits and attract the presence of good.

In Vietnamese folk beliefs, agarwood is used in ancestor worship ceremonies, Tet holidays, and peace prayers, not only to create a solemn atmosphere but also to express filial piety, and to pray for peace and prosperity. The scent of agarwood smoke becomes a symbol of the connection between generations, between the real world and the sacred world.

Economic value

Agarwood and Ky Nam have long been known as “forest gold” because of their exceptionally high economic value, which can be up to billions of VND per kilogram depending on quality. Of these, Ky Nam - an extremely rare type of agarwood, dark in color, soft, with a strong aroma and melting in the mouth - is considered the rarest and is dozens of times more expensive than normal Agarwood. Just a few grams of Ky Nam can be worth as much as a tael of gold.

Vietnam is one of the very few countries that possess the world's top quality natural agarwood, especially in Khanh Hoa, which is known as the "capital of agarwood" with soil, climate and ecosystem suitable for the Do Bau tree to grow and produce agarwood.

Planting Aquilaria trees and creating agarwood has opened up sustainable livelihood opportunities for thousands of farming households in the Central and Central Highlands provinces, where the land is arid and difficult to cultivate. With a small area, people can plant Aquilaria trees, and after a few years of creating agarwood (naturally or with technical support), they will have an income many times higher than that of conventional crops.

In addition to selling raw agarwood or essential oils, many households have developed models for producing value-added products such as agarwood incense, bracelets, agarwood handicrafts, etc. to serve the domestic and export markets. Agarwood has become the main source of income for many families, contributing to poverty reduction and rural economic development.

In particular, as the world's demand for agarwood increases, Vietnam's export market for agarwood and agarwood products is also expanding, creating foreign currency and brand value for the country.

Agarwood is not only a rare aromatic wood, it is the crystallization of time, of nature and of profound cultural values associated with the lives of East Asian people. From medicine, art, beliefs to economics, agarwood is present as a symbol of purification, sublimation and peace. At Maison Agarwood , we cherish every grain of agarwood, every Do leaf, and every story associated with them. Each product from Maison Agarwood not only carries fragrance, but also carries the spirit of preserving and spreading the original value, so that agarwood is not only a precious product, but also a part of a purifying, profound and connected lifestyle.