Agarwood is a non-timber forest product valued for its aromatic, medicinal, and cultural uses. Agarwood is also known variously as eaglewood, aloeswood, gaharu (Malay), chen xiang (Chinese), jin-koh (Japanese), oudh or oud (Arabic), mai kritsana (Thai), and tram huong (Vietnamese), among many other vernacular and trade names (Barden et al. 2000). Primarily sourced from two tree genera, Aquilaria and Gyrinops, the aromatic and medicinal properties of agarwood derive from resinous deposits in the tree’s heartwood. Agarwood is a highly valuable commodity that has often been described as the most expensive wood in the world.
Agarwood is a resinous heartwood that can be found in the Aquilaria genus of trees of Thymelaeceae family. Aquilaria is a fast-growing, primitive subtropical forest tree with a population range spanning the Islands’ rainforests. It grows at elevations ranging from a few meters above sea level to around 1000 meters, with an average diameter of about 1 meter. Aquilaria may thrive in a variety of soil conditions, even poor sandy soil. Seedlings require a lot of water and shade, but they grow quickly and can produce blossoms and seeds as young as five years old.
The Aquilaria malaccensis (local name Bari) is a tropical tree that grows up to 40 m high and spreads up to 12 m wide. It has a pale, thin and smooth trunk, silky young shoots, and leathery, long, sword-shaped leaves that are arranged alternately. Its white flowers are in clusters and its fruits are egg shaped and velvety. Edible parts are the seeds and bark. It is used to flavour curries.
Propagation is by through the seeds and seedlings that grows faster when properly cultivated.
This Aquilaria malaccensis tree is the great source of Agarwood Medicinal Leaves Tea.
The inner bark is used in making cloth, ropes, and writing materials. The timber of healthy trees is used for making boxes, in light construction, and veneer.
Aquilaria malaccensis, like other species from the Aquilaria genus, is a major source of agarwood resin that is used for perfume, incense and medicinal uses.. The resin is produced when the tree is infected or by artificial inducement by a parasitic fungus, Phaeoacremonium parasitica.
According to Oldfield et al. (1998), A. malaccensis (Bari) is found in 10 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Although, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) confirmed no sightings of A. malaccensis in Iran later on.
- After 3 years of planting, leaves can be harvested for agarwood leaf tea production – Tea is considered similar with Green Tea or Camella Sinensis as to the health benefits we can get. Market is for local and export. This project is in collaboration with Department of Science and Technology-Forest Product Research Development institute (DOST-FPRDI), DOST-R4A for Label and Packaging and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the local and export development
- After 5 years of planting is the fruiting time of Aquilaria malaccensis or Bari. We can use the seeds for pharmaceutical as ingredients in anti-cancer medicine and for species conservation with seedlings propagation.
- On the 10th year of growing, when there is enough resin developed in the heartwood, will cut off the trees in whole from the roots for the production of Oud Essential Oil.