There’s a common misconception that oud is an Arabian scent — but oud, or Agarwood, is native to southeast Asia, and its story goes back over 3000 years.
There’s a common misconception that oud is an Arabian scent. But oud, or Agarwood, is native to southeast Asia. The Aquilaria tree particularly occurs in the rainforests of India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Borneo, and New Guinea.
Who knew?
When the tree becomes infected with a specific type of mould, it begins to produce a dark resin as a defence mechanism. The resin-wood is what we know as Agarwood which is the source of oud oil. The use of this resin has been documented in texts dating back over 3000 years. So in short, people have been smelling good for a long time.
Ancient Cultures
In India, oud was highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine and spiritual rituals. It was used in traditional medicine for its healing properties and as incense in temples to create a calming atmosphere.
The Middle East has a long-standing tradition of using oud which is where the misconception has come from. It was celebrated in ancient Arabia for its use in perfumery and incense.
Ancient India popularised oud in terms of wellness and The Middle East popularised oud for perfumery. Both cultures have their own significant relationship with the resin.
Oud Around the Globe
Oud of course was not limited to Asia and The Middle East. The fragrance danced its way all across the oceans to the Roman Empire, where they took the Middle Eastern approach and used it in incense and in perfumery. The Romans loved it so much that they started to import Agarwood from Southeast Asia, thus spreading its reputation.
On the other hand, China has been using oud for centuries in its traditional medicine and as a status symbol amongst the elites. They used to burn the resin during religious ceremonies.