Efficacy and Role of Agarwood

Meaning of Agarwood Agarwood is the dried woody part of plants in the Thymelaeaceae family, such as Aquilaria agallocha or Aquilaria sinensis, and is a type of timber, spice, and traditional Chinese medicine. When the heartwood of the agarwood tree is stimulated by external trauma or fungal infection, it secretes large amounts of resin with a rich fragrance. These parts, due to their high density, are also known as "water agarwood." In many parts of the world, agarwood is a precious spice used for burning incense, extracting fragrances, adding to wine, or directly carved into ornaments. Morphological Characteristics of Agarwood It forms irregular lumps or helmet-shaped pieces, or sometimes small fragments. One side of the piece is solid, woody, with chisel marks, light brown in color, interspersed with brownish-black patches or small dots that show a slight luster (which are secretions); the other side is the surface where resin has seeped out and solidified, earthy yellow-brown, uneven with cracks, and honeycomb-like small holes. Under a magnifying glass, it shows a granular texture with a loose feel, and cutting it with a knife causes powder to fall off. It is hard and mostly does not sink in water. It has a unique fragrance and a slightly bitter taste; when burned, it emits thick smoke and a strong fragrance, with black oily substances seeping out. Efficacy and Role of Agarwood Agarwood has an aromatic scent, is pungent in nature, slightly warm, and non-toxic. It has effects such as promoting qi circulation, relieving pain, warming the middle jiao, stopping vomiting, gathering qi, and relieving asthma. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as qi stagnation with chest fullness, sudden asthma and angina pectoris, accumulations and痞 (masses), cold stomach with vomiting, cholera, male seminal coldness, and foul odors or sores. Identification of Agarwood Generally, the higher the density of agarwood, the more resin it has condensed, and the better its quality. Therefore, ancients often divided agarwood into different grades based on whether it sinks in water: those that sink are called "sinking agarwood" (Chen Shui); those that float halfway are called "stacked agarwood" (Zhan Xiang, referring to items woven from bamboo or wood), also known as "jian xiang" (pronounced 'jian'), "nong shui xiang," etc.; those that slightly enter the water and float on the surface are called "yellow ripe agarwood." Since agarwood forms naturally, its size and shape vary greatly. Ancients gave it many interesting names based on its characteristics, such as "tooth agarwood" (small volume, shaped like a horse's tooth), "leaf agarwood" (thin slices), "chicken bone agarwood" (hollow inside, resembling chicken bone), "guang xiang" (surface like dried rocks, mainly for display), "shui pan tou" (large volume but soft texture), "su zan xiang" (harvested before natural maturity), etc. Some agarwood with clever and unique shapes can also serve as display items. (1) Identification Method 1: Look. The surface of agarwood should have fine pores for Grade A goods; coarse pores indicate Grade B (third-grade) goods. Unlike the black earth agarwood of grades one to three, generally only the best grade of water agarwood is black. Grade A water agarwood is usually dark brownish-black, sometimes dark yellowish-green. If someone shows you a black agarwood bracelet claiming it is second-grade water agarwood, they are likely passing off inferior goods as superior or are unaware themselves. (2) Identification Method 2: Smell. This is the most important identification method. The scent of agarwood initially seems like a familiar medicinal smell, but upon closer inspection, one cannot recall exactly what it is. The most important difference between water agarwood and earth agarwood is that earth agarwood has a thick and intense scent, while water agarwood is mild and mellow. A key way to judge the scent of agarwood is "drilling." What does "drilling" mean? It means the scent of agarwood penetrates deeply into your nostrils. The scent of genuine agarwood should feel like it travels along thread-like paths into your nose. Another judgment method is "penetration." When buying agarwood bracelets, a plastic bag is usually provided. This bag is sealed and waterproof. If you put the agarwood in the bag and seal it tightly, if your sense of smell is normal, the true agarwood scent can permeate through the bag. The third method is "placing." If conditions permit, place it next to your pillow. During relaxed sleep at night, you will notice the scent comes in waves with intervals. Fake products do not have this intermittent scent. (3) Identification Method 3: Touch. Second-grade water agarwood looks like it has a layer of oil (Grade A- also has this, but it is not obvious), but it does not dirty your hands, and your hands do not feel oily. If it is fake, the oil will leave dirty marks on your hands. (4) The quality of agarwood grades and its ability to sink in water determine its grade. Because there are too many varieties of agarwood, the classification method in the Compendium of Materia Medica determines the quality based on oil content. Once the oil content in the agarwood exceeds 1/4 of the entire piece, it becomes heavy with oil and sinks immediately upon entering water. Note that water agarwood is extremely expensive. If you encounter cheap agarwood that sinks, be careful, as such agarwood is often injected with industrial lead and is toxic. Maintenance of Agarwood Generally, agarwood is not afraid of natural waters like sweat, rain, or tap water. However, do not expose agarwood to water containing detergents, such as soap, laundry detergent, especially shampoo. Contact with these waters causes the agarwood oil on the surface to undergo chemical reactions and be washed away. When worn, agarwood bracelets naturally form a patina, and the scent may become slightly lighter, which is normal. If the scent fades due to contact with detergent water, there is a remedy: gently polish it with sandpaper of 400# or higher, and the scent will reappear. Generally, agarwood is not afraid of rain, sweat, or tap water, but do not expose it to water with detergents like soap, laundry detergent, especially shampoo. Contact with these waters causes the agarwood oil on the surface to react chemically and wash away. When worn, agarwood bracelets naturally form a patina, and the scent may become lighter, which is fine. At night, place it under the pillow or in a sealed plastic bag. When taken out again, the fragrance remains. If the scent fades due to contact with detergent water, there is a remedy, but the best method is to gently polish it with sandpaper of 400# or higher, and the scent will reappear.   Terminology of Agarwood Wild natural agarwood: When the "wind tree" is "injured," it secretes oil for self-protection. First, a "seed" forms at the wound, then it may "spread." This mixture of oil and wood is what everyone calls agarwood. 1. The part that has formed agarwood detaches from the main body of the wind tree due to external force and falls to the ground. After sufficient time for aging, it forms "dead agarwood." 2. After forming agarwood, the wind tree still has life. The part that has formed agarwood is cut off, which is called "live agarwood." 3. Typical "insect leak" formed by insect bites. Please note here: Wind tree ---- specific tree species that can form agarwood, with loose texture. Without forming agarwood, it basically has no economic value. Injury ---- there are many possibilities, such as lightning strikes in the rainy season, animal climbing, or even partial natural death.... Forming agarwood ---- not all wind trees can form agarwood, nor must they form agarwood within a certain time after receiving external force. Aging ---- the principle is basically the same as Pu'er tea. Additionally, the so-called "earth agarwood" and "water agarwood". Based on my understanding, this concept does not exist in Vietnam. The circle generally calls them "dead goods" and "live goods." Agarwood production seasons are only two: rainy season and dry season. The initially formed parts may fall to the ground or water, but due to seasonal changes, heavy rain, mudslides, and other uncertain factors, it is hard to say whether they are in water or soil, and there is no confirmation from the mining site. Qinan is Jia Nan, different translation versions. It is a symbiote with dead agarwood, but during the aging process, the oil undergoes a qualitative change, forming a new substance completely different from agarwood. In other words, digging up an agarwood pit might yield only dead agarwood, or a very small amount of Qinan, but more often, there is only agarwood without Qinan. The most basic difference lies in: 1. The surface is dry and astringent, but after cutting, it is rich in oil. Almost entirely oil. 2. The scent emitted after heating is completely different. 3. Qinan with the same oil content is very soft, while agarwood is very hard. 4. After chewing, it sticks to the teeth, feeling similar to rice cake, while the result of chewing agarwood is wood residue. 5. The taste is spicy and numbing, but with a sweet aftertaste, and the production of saliva is more lasting and intense. 6. Agarwood with the same oil content will definitely sink in water, while Qinan will definitely not sink.   Alternative Agarwood -- Artificial Agarwood Decades ago, people in Vietnam began planting wind trees and artificially applying external forces, drilling, burning, inserting pipes, etc., attempting industrial mass production. Now, large areas are planted in Taiwan, Hainan, and Guangdong, claiming complete success. In reality, artificial agarwood formation takes about 8-10 years and is completely different from natural wild agarwood. This topic is currently being researched by a university in the US, with experimental bases in Malaysia and Indonesia, and no successful experimental results have been announced. Mass production is not yet feasible, so I will not elaborate further. Interested friends can search on Google. Agarwood is listed in the convention; if it goes on the market, it is definitely illegal. Vietnam used to rely on selling resource materials to earn some US dollars. Huanghuali and rosewood were almost extinct years ago. Vietnamese people engaged in similar business are often arrested by the government, let alone agarwood! So, thinking about the channel is particularly important. Actually, it is quite simple. The Japanese, not the Vietnamese, were the first to invent oil-soaked agarwood. The products are basically mountain pieces, used as ornamental commodities. The Japanese have high requirements, paying high prices for high-purity oil. After setting this precedent, everyone understands.... Pure natural, wild agarwood, due to its long formation time, has been targeted by the three wealthiest regions in the world, so prices have skyrocketed. The Chinese market actually rarely has "pure natural, wild" agarwood. The reason is also very simple. For merchants dealing in agarwood, it is merely a medium for profit. First, it must circulate as quickly as possible; second, it must minimize costs at each link to maximize profit, thereby improving price competitiveness. So.... Another important point is the closure of the mainland internet. Friends with conditions can go to the Taiwan online market to learn more. Many are very professional. Although Taiwanese people also deceive, they basically hype the prices of genuine goods. It is rare to see artificial agarwood. Therefore, the lack of related knowledge provides great opportunities for counterfeiters. I even suspect that most merchants have been deceived by Vietnamese or Fujian people.... The basic channels are as follows: The economy of South Vietnam is much more developed than that of North Vietnam. Many Taiwanese and Japanese people have factories there, so Saigon is the distribution center for circulation and "production." The price trend of artificial agarwood is actually processed based on the price offered by the next buyer. That is to say, there may be some agarwood oil content, but the ratio.... The processing technology is also quite simple. I personally believe that investing $500 is enough to start production. The raw materials are wind trees that have not formed agarwood, agarwood oil, and chemical dyes.... Whether it sinks, its color, and shape can be customized. The price is calculated per kilogram. Generally, people from Guangxi like to take them back to string themselves, which lowers the cost even more. Initially, people from North Vietnam brought them from the south to the border to deceive border people. Starting last year, people in North Vietnam also began production, and some even "exported" them from a certain province in the south to the border.... After working in Hanoi for a few months, I spent several weekends in Pu Zhai. I originally wanted to get some cheap furniture as gifts, but the craftsmanship was too poor, so I gave up. I also glanced at all the shops selling agarwood, which is not worth mentioning.... You should know that Pu Zhai is one of the largest distribution centers for agarwood in the mainland market! Finally, I have no intention to attack or belittle any professional merchant dealing in agarwood. But during my days in Vietnam contacting agarwood, I indeed did not see any mainland person (specifically merchants) who, after knowing the real price of pure natural, wild agarwood, still demanded to buy it. Even for incense sticks, the requirement was "the cheaper the better".... Additionally, friends traveling to Saigon can go to the well-known Dong An Market to learn. There is another market at the Hai Shang Lan Weng Medicine Market in District 5. The second market is more deceptive.... Thanks to the Saigon Matchstick moderator: 1. Many merchants from Fujian and Guangxi have mixed products, serving customers based on their ability! 2. Contacted several sellers, basically oil-soaked, but limited by domestic testing, theoretical knowledge, and other realistic conditions, many consumers have no way to identify, relying entirely on the seller's conscience! Conscience is rare in a commodity economy! 3. Taiwan practitioners dealing in agarwood, including those with many years of experience, according to friends, are not very proficient in agarwood classification and identification! They mainly do export or industry adjustment! But basically the goods are correct! 4. There are also some high imitation makers in Taiwan. From patterns, oil content, scent type, and other indicators, they are very deceptive. They call it: Technology Agarwood!! Appendix: Classification and Identification of Sandalwood and Sandalwood 1. Classification of Sandalwood and Sandalwood: The classification of sandalwood was answered in the February 20, 2006 issue of "Beijing Morning Post · Collection Edition," which divides it into Old Mountain Sandalwood (produced in India), New Mountain Sandalwood (produced in Australia), Dimen Sandalwood (produced in Indonesia and East Timor), and Sydney Sandalwood (produced in Australia or South Pacific island nations). This is the traditional classification method of historical sandalwood traders. If classified according to botanical taxonomy, there are about 70 species and varieties of Santalum plants. Mainly including Santalum album, Fiji sandalwood, New Caledonia sandalwood, large-flowered Australian sandalwood, Ogasawara sandalwood, Papua sandalwood, umbrella-flowered Australian sandalwood, Tahiti sandalwood, hooked-leaf Australian sandalwood, dense-flowered Australian sandalwood, Chile sandalwood, large-fruited Australian sandalwood, olive-green Hawaiian sandalwood, bright-leaf Hawaiian sandalwood, drooping-branch Hawaiian sandalwood, coastal Hawaiian sandalwood, and other tree species. In fact, only Santalum album, Fiji sandalwood, and 1-2 species of sandalwood produced in Australia have entered the sandalwood trade field. 2. Sandalwood Price and Related Identification Methods. Currently, sandalwood entering the Chinese market, especially that produced in India, is rare. Sandalwood from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, or Africa is more common in the market. According to Mr. Lin Qingcai, a master craftsman from Fujian, Old Mountain Sandalwood material is light coffee-colored, with a far-reaching fragrance, uniform color, fine texture, and those with high specific gravity almost show no texture. Dimen Sandalwood is light coffee-colored, with diameters mostly 8 to 12 cm, many curves, and has a spicy fragrance. African sandalwood (estimated to be a variety of sandalwood or artificially introduced) material is dark yellow, with coarse texture, light specific gravity, and light fragrance. 3. Appraisal Institutions: The relatively authoritative appraisal institutions in China mainly include the Wood Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Forestry. Generally, they can only identify the family and genus, not accurately provide the species name and origin, unless the provider of the sandalwood specimen can state the origin themselves. In addition, Professor Xu Yongji of the Wood Testing Center of Nanjing Forestry University is very accurate and authoritative in wood identification. Note: The material comes from the internet. This post is a network compilation post, and all materials are from the internet.