The story of the journey to form agarwood, “King of scents” . That title comes not only from the gentle yet enchanting, warm and profound scent, but also from the quiet sedimentation process inside the Aquilaria tree, bearing the mark of time.

Join Maison Agarwood to discover that secret journey, from the first wounds, to the birth of an eternal scent.

Wounds in nature

“In sorrow, dó turns into aloeswood” is not a metaphor. It is the truth, naked and full of admiration, about how aloeswood is formed.

Agarwood is the crystallization of a silent but powerful healing journey, originating from injuries. In the harsh natural environment, when the trunk of the Aquilaria tree is punctured by insects, eroded by wind and rain, invaded by mold or accidentally torn. Instead of dying, the tree secretes layers of resin, as a self-protection and recovery mechanism. At those wounds, the resin gradually seeps into the wood fibers, combined with climate, soil and time conditions, gradually forming a precious layer of oil.

Agarwood is precious for its deep, quiet fragrance, but what makes it truly valuable lies in time. Over decades, even centuries, the oil condenses, penetrates deep into the wood, and slowly transforms into agarwood. Each grain of agarwood is not just a scent, but a slice of time, a living testament to nature’s miraculous ability to heal, regenerate, and adapt.

Not all injured Aquilaria trees can produce agarwood. Research has shown that out of 1,000 to 1,500 Aquilaria trees, only one can produce agarwood. In the middle of the quiet deep forest, tens of thousands of tree trunks stand silently through the years, silently experiencing wind, rain, weather and changes in the earth and sky. But no one, even the most knowledgeable person, can look at a living tree trunk and know for sure that there is agarwood inside. The journey to find agarwood is therefore a journey of persistent faith, of tireless patience, and sometimes, the miracle of luck. It is this uncertainty and mystery that creates the fascinating attraction of agarwood, making many people fascinated, longing for and cherishing it.

Therefore, agarwood is not only a rare material value, but also a symbol of inner purity, of silent and enduring inner strength and the ability to rise from pain. Like humans, only in hardship can the quintessence be distilled, and true light have the opportunity to shine from deep within.

Methods of creating agarwood

It is this rarity, along with its spiritual and economic value, that has made agarwood one of the most sought-after products. Not only is it treasured as a decorative item, agarwood is also used to purify the air, make feng shui jewelry, and even become a precious ingredient in traditional medicine as well as spiritual rituals. The combination of natural beauty, pure fragrance and cultural depth has made agarwood always hold a special place in the hearts of East Asians for thousands of years.

Agarwood that is completely formed in nature is always considered a treasure, because of its pristine form, where there is no human intervention. That is what makes natural agarwood extremely rare and has a very high economic value. However, the decline in forest area and over-exploitation have caused this agarwood source to be increasingly depleted.

Faced with the growing demand, people have sought to actively create agarwood by using methods that affect the Aquilaria tree. Although they bring certain economic efficiency, not all methods can preserve the original essence of agarwood. Some unsustainable methods, even using chemicals, can affect the health of users and lose the inherent value of agarwood, which is inherently associated with purification and healing.

Below are some popular agarwood creation methods on the market today, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages and has a certain impact on the quality of the finished agarwood product:

Physical method (semi-natural):

This is a method of using tools to drill holes, hammer nails or cut the bark to create wounds. Then let the tree heal itself and secrete resin. This method is simple, does not use chemicals, but is low in efficiency, the rate of agarwood creation is low and the amount of agarwood collected is often small. The process of forming agarwood still takes a long time (5-10 years or more), the quality is relatively high if well cared for, the scent is close to natural agarwood. This is a sustainable method, being applied by many reputable establishments.

Chemical method:
Using acids such as sulfuric, acetic, jasmonic or other chemicals injected into the tree trunk to stimulate the tree to secrete resin. This is a strong intervention method. Agarwood forms faster (from 18-24 months), but may contain toxic residues (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, PO₃³⁻…), affecting health. The produced agarwood often has a pungent smell, mixed with impurities, which are easily detected when burned or smelled carefully. Although the cost is low and the time is short, this method can affect the health of users and reduce the spiritual and economic value of agarwood. This is also the reason why the agarwood produced does not meet the standards for burning, using as medicine or making essential oils. This method is not accepted in many countries. However, it is still used in Vietnam.

Biological method (culturing probiotics):
This is a method that requires high technique and close monitoring. The caretaker will inject microorganisms or culture solutions into the trunk of the Aquilaria tree to stimulate its self-defense mechanism, causing the tree to secrete resin to fight against the invasion. After being transplanted, the tree continues to grow and is cared for to maintain its health.

This method significantly shortens the time it takes to create agarwood, usually only about 1–3 years. If done correctly and under ideal conditions, the agarwood produced is of quite good quality. However, compared to agarwood formed completely naturally, this type of agarwood often does not achieve the highest depth of scent and purity.

Despite human intervention, the microbial culture method is still considered safe and sustainable. It leaves no chemical residue, ensuring the safety of users' health, while respecting and preserving part of the natural cycle of the Aquilaria tree.

Agarwood essential oil:

On the market today, there are many products called "agarwood", but in fact, the wood is often soaked in essential oils - mainly chemical essential oils - to simulate the scent of agarwood. This type of agarwood has a strong, pungent scent, often causing discomfort and headaches when used for a long time. Unlike natural agarwood with deep and gentle scent, agarwood cooked in essential oils lacks depth of scent and is easily recognizable by its sharp, slightly artificial scent.

More dangerously, to increase the "fragrance", some manufacturers also mix synthetic chemicals into natural essential oils, creating products with strong scents but with potential health risks - especially when used for incense burning in closed spaces, or when worn directly on the skin. These products not only deceive consumers but also go against the original, pure and healing spirit inherent in natural agarwood.

Our Choice

We believe that agarwood must be the crystallization of a natural process. The tree needs to live, heal and develop at its own pace. At Maison Agarwood, each product starts with clean agarwood, no chemicals, no forced ripening to preserve the pure quality and original energy that nature has bestowed.

Therefore, each product is the embodiment of time, recovery and the spirit of living slowly and deeply. The scent not only evokes a sense of peace, but also opens a gentle connection with nature, cherishing peaceful moments in modern life.

If you also believe in the value of purity and durability, of simple yet profound things, Maison Agarwood is honored to accompany you on your journey to connect with nature and live every moment to the fullest.