Over long periods, some organic materials, like agarwood (a resinous heartwood), can undergo fossilization or mineralization, turning into a stone-like substance. This could be called "converted stone."
Over long periods, some organic materials, like agarwood (a resinous heartwood), can undergo fossilization or mineralization, turning into a stone-like substance. This could be called "converted stone."
Agarwood oil, also known as oud oil, is a highly prized essential oil derived from the resinous heartwood of Aquilaria trees, which produce the fragrant resin in response to infection or injury. The extraction of agarwood oil is a meticulous process that involves several steps. Here’s an overview of the common methods used:
### 1. **Harvesting the Wood**
- **Identification**: Mature Aquilaria trees infected with fungi or other pathogens are identified. The infection triggers the formation of dark, resinous heartwood (agarwood).
- **Cutting**: The infected parts of the tree are carefully harvested, ensuring the rest of the tree remains intact for future growth.
### 2. **Cleaning and Sorting**
- The harvested wood is cleaned to remove dirt and debris.
- The wood is then sorted based on quality, with higher resin content pieces being more valuable.
### 3. **Grinding or Chipping**
- The sorted wood is ground into small chips or powder to increase the surface area for extraction.
### 4. **Hydrodistillation (Traditional Method)**
- **Soaking**: The wood chips are soaked in water for several hours or days to soften them.
- **Distillation**: The soaked wood is placed in a distillation apparatus with water. The mixture is heated, causing the essential oil to evaporate with the steam.
- **Condensation**: The steam and oil vapor pass through a condenser, where they cool and return to liquid form.
- **Separation**: The oil is separated from the water. Agarwood oil, being less dense, floats on top and is collected.
### 5. **Steam Distillation**
- Similar to hydrodistillation, but steam is directly passed through the wood chips in a closed system.
- The steam carries the volatile oils, which are then condensed and separated.
### 6. **Supercritical CO2 Extraction (Modern Method)**
- **Pressurization**: The wood chips are placed in a high-pressure chamber, and CO2 is pressurized until it becomes supercritical (a state between gas and liquid).
- **Extraction**: The supercritical CO2 acts as a solvent, extracting the essential oil from the wood.
- **Depressurization**: The pressure is reduced, allowing the CO2 to return to its gaseous state, leaving behind the extracted oil.
### 7. **Filtration and Purification**
- The extracted oil is filtered to remove any remaining impurities.
- It may undergo further purification processes to enhance its quality and fragrance.
### 8. **Aging and Blending**
- The oil is often aged to develop its aroma.
- It may be blended with other oils or left pure, depending on the desired final product.
### 9. **Packaging**
- The final product is packaged in dark glass bottles to protect it from light and preserve its quality.
### Factors Affecting Quality
- **Tree Species**: Different species of Aquilaria produce oils with varying qualities and aromas.
- **Resin Content**: Higher resin content generally yields more oil and a richer fragrance.
- **Extraction Method**: Traditional methods like hydrodistillation are often preferred for high-quality oud oil, but modern methods like CO2 extraction can also produce excellent results.
Agarwood oil is highly valued in perfumery, traditional medicine, and religious ceremonies, making its extraction a delicate and highly skilled process.
Agarwood Mineral Spray is a high-end skin care product, using the essence of agarwood - a rare wood with a characteristic fragrance and many benefits for health as well as skin. This mineral spray is often used to moisturize, soothe the skin and bring a feeling of relaxation.
Benefits of agarwood mineral spray:
1. Deep moisturizing: Helps the skin maintain moisture, especially in dry weather conditions or air-conditioned environments.
2. Soothe and restore the skin: Agarwood has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce redness and irritation.
3. Anti-aging: Containing many antioxidants, mineral spray helps protect the skin from free radical damage and reduce wrinkles.
4. Relax the mind: The gentle, luxurious scent of agarwood brings a pleasant feeling and reduces stress.
5. Enhance brightness: Regular use helps the skin become brighter and more radiant.
How to use agarwood mineral spray:
Shake the bottle well before use.
Hold the bottle about 20-30 cm away from your face and spray evenly all over your face.
Use after washing your face to balance your skin or whenever your skin feels dry and lifeless.
Can be used after applying makeup to keep your makeup longer and create a healthy, shiny effect.
-------------*------------
Xịt khoáng trầm hương là một sản phẩm chăm sóc da cao cấp, sử dụng tinh chất từ trầm hương – một loại gỗ quý hiếm với hương thơm đặc trưng và nhiều lợi ích cho sức khỏe cũng như làn da. Loại xịt khoáng này thường được sử dụng để cấp ẩm, làm dịu da và mang lại cảm giác thư giãn.
The origins of agarwood (also known as oud, gaharu, or aloeswood) are not tied to one specific country, but its discovery and use are deeply rooted in the regions of South and Southeast Asia.
Historically, India is often credited as one of the earliest countries to recognize and use agarwood due to its significance in ancient texts and rituals. Agarwood is mentioned in Sanskrit scriptures like the Vedas and the Ramayana, highlighting its cultural and religious importance in ancient India.
In addition, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos were among the early regions where agarwood-producing trees (Aquilaria species) naturally thrived. The spread of its use expanded across Asia, particularly in China, where it was cherished for its medicinal and aromatic properties, and in the Middle East for perfumery and incense.
So while India may have been one of the earliest to document its use, the discovery likely occurred in several regions where the Aquilaria trees were native.