| Few perfume oils have the mystique of Oud. Made | | | | are providing good livings for honest families, and |
| from the fragrant resin found in Aquilaria trees, Oud | | | | insure that these amazing trees will survive for |
| is also referred to as Agarwood, Aloeswood and | | | | generations to come. The Agarwood Oil they |
| Eaglewood. This is the Aloe spoken of in the Bible. It | | | | produce is extremely high quality. All the work is done |
| has been loved and treasured for thousands of | | | | by hand, with sincere respect and dedication for the |
| years, by mystics and romantics alike. Oud is | | | | trees and the land. |
| proclaimed as a aid to spiritual meditation. Lovers use | | | | Another recent development to conserve the |
| it as an aphrodisiac. | | | | precious Aloeswood is the use of CO2 extraction |
| Indeed, the hunger for Oud is so great that in most | | | | instead of distillation. CO2 extraction does not use |
| parts of the world Agarwood trees are nearing | | | | any solvent chemicals, making it |
| extinction. Most of the Agarwood on the market is | | | | environmentally-friendly. Instead, it uses the same |
| now obtained through poaching. Agarwood is believed | | | | carbon dioxide that is in soda pop. CO2 extraction is |
| to have originated in the Assam region of India, and | | | | so powerful that it requires less wood than steam |
| from there spread throughout southeast Asia. Oud | | | | distillation to obtain the same amount of Oud. And |
| now comes from India, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, | | | | because it doesn't use any heat, Aloeswood CO2 |
| Indonesia and the Philippines... and while trees dwindle, | | | | extract has a much more vibrant fragrance that is |
| the demand keeps growing. The cost of Agarwood | | | | truer to life. |
| oil now exceeds $27,000 per pound! | | | | Aloeswood oil from CO2 extraction smells earthy, |
| There is good news, though, for Oud lovers: | | | | woody and sweetly balsamic. It is rich and complex, |
| Several decades ago, enterprising farmers in Assam | | | | not burned or musty-smelling like some heat-distilled |
| began a major replanting of Agarwood trees | | | | Ouds. A good perfume house will provide affordable |
| throughout the region. Agarwood nurseries have | | | | samples of their Oud. |
| produced tens of thousands of healthy seedlings for | | | | So as you shop for Oud, remember to find out how |
| Agarwood plantations, and everyone is being | | | | it was obtained, and how it was extracted. Support |
| encouraged to once again plant these beautiful trees | | | | the people who truly love the Agarwood tree, not |
| in their yards. | | | | those who merely exploit it. Buy from a supplier with |
| Practicing organic, sustainable harvesting methods, | | | | a good reputation who makes samples available. |
| these Agarwood plantations and extraction centers | | | | |