Agarwood

About Agarwood:

• Agarwood or Gaharu as it is known in many Asian countries is resinous heartwood that occurs in trees belonging to the genus Aquilaria.
• It is a fast-growing, subtropical forest tree.
• It grows at elevations from a few meters above sea level to about 1000 meters, with approx. 500 meters being most ideal.
• Distribution: West Bengal and North-Eastern States of India namely Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram,Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
• Required Climatic condition
  • This is a tropical tree which grows over high rainfall tracts throughout humid regions.
  • The region experiences low temperature variations between 20ºC to 28ºC and relative humidity around 80%.
  • Soil: It grows over sandy loam and slightly acidic soils.
• Application
• • Highly valued for its traditional uses as incense, the extracts (agarwood oil) of plants are also used in water-based perfumes.
  • It is also utilized in the aroma industry, medicine preparations, preparations of air fresheners and purifiers.
  • The essential oil extracted from agarwood has anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic and antioxidant properties.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix II