Agarwood Essential Oil Benefits and Uses - Oud Oil Spotlight

Agarwood essential oil is one of the rarest and most expensive oils in the world. Emotionally, it inspires strength and can deepen a sense of personal awareness. This highly coveted essential oil is not commonly found in most oilers' collections. Find out agarwood essential oil benefits and uses, plus 3 DIY recipes to try.

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Agarwood Essential Oil Facts

This precious oil is often used as a base ingredient in commercial fragrances, but what is really wonderful is that agarwood essential oil, also called oud essential oil, can be used as a natural cologne all on its own. This essential oil is extracted from the fungus-infected wood of the agarwood tree, commonly called the “wood of the gods”.

The process to make the essential oil is very special. The wood is naturally pale in color and nearly odorless, but when the wood is threatened by mold, it produces a dark, aromatic oleoresin to fight off the fungus. This creates a dark, fragrant, resin-rich heartwood. The heartwood is then harvested and steam distilled to make the rare oil.

Need an Agarwood Essential Oil Substitution?

Agarwood has a very unique aroma, but you can try rich wood oils like Buddha wood, Sandalwood, Rosewood, or Ho wood. For more swap ideas, see my essential oil substitution chart.

Agarwood Essential Oil Blends Well With

Agarwood essential oil blends well with just about any essential oil and tends to add depth and complexity to oil blends. It is mainly known for its exotic, woody scent and is commonly used in perfumes and colognes.

• Sandalwood, patchouli and bergamot are all great choices since they offer deep, earthy tones that blend well with agarwood's warm aroma.
• Rosemary, lemongrass, black pepper and cedarwood also complement agarwood wonderfully to create an intricate blend of spicy notes.
• The timeless combination of agarwood and rose essential oil creates a deeply pleasant scent that is perfect for meditation or relaxation. Agarwood's full-bodied aroma combined with the sweet, floral bouquet of rose can't be beat!

When using essential oils topically, it is best practice to dilute them in a carrier oil first before applying to the skin. Jojoba and fractionated coconut oil are popular choices.

Ultimately, the sky is the limit when it comes to blending agarwood essential oil with other fragrances to make something truly special.

Agarwood Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

When using agarwood oil for aromatherapy, patience is needed. This rare oil is very thick and it can be slow to get a drop to come out of the bottle. The good thing is that one drop really goes a long way.

• Natural perfume and cologne: Oud is one of the most prized perfume bases in the world. A single drop adds warmth and depth to any blend.
• Meditation and prayer: Oud has been used in religious and spiritual ceremonies for centuries. Its smoky aroma helps many people settle into a quiet, focused state.
• Calm and balance: The deep, grounding scent is a favorite for unwinding after a stressful day.
• Focus and clarity: Inhaling oud before journaling, reading or study can help you feel centered.
• A warm, sensual aroma: Its rich, leathery scent is a classic in romantic blends.

Where to Buy Agarwood Essential Oil?

This may be a highly coveted and pricey oil, but users agree that it is worth every penny. Because of the high cost, oud is often diluted or faked, so buy from a quality essential oil company that lists the botanical name and offers batch testing.

Remember that the heartwood is used to create this oil, which means the tree is cut down. Look for oil from cultivated plantations where trees are replanted.

If you are looking to buy this pure essential oil, here is a brand that I like to use.

Edens Garden - Agarwood Oud Oil:

How to Use Agarwood Essential Oil

Here are three popular ways to enjoy agarwood essential oil:

Topical Application of Agarwood Essential Oil

Dilute agarwood essential oil in a carrier oil, such as jojoba or fractionated coconut oil, before applying it to your skin. Apply to pulse points as a natural perfume, or add a drop to a massage oil for a relaxing, grounding scent.

Inhalation of Agarwood Essential Oil

Because oud is so precious, personal inhalation is the best way to make every drop count. Add a drop or two to an aromatherapy inhaler or diffuser jewelry and breathe it in whenever you want a calm, centered moment.

Diffusing Agarwood Essential Oil

Add 1 drop of agarwood to your diffuser along with lighter oils, like the Scent of Nirvana blend below. Diffusing agarwood creates a warm, relaxing atmosphere for a quiet evening at home.

Agarwood Essential Oil Recipes

Looking for some ways to include this resinous oil in your DIY blends? Here are 3 simple agarwood essential oil blend recipes.

1. Oud Roll-on Perfume

Wear this simple, elegant perfume roll-on whenever you want to feel calm, grounded and balanced.

• 5 drops Agarwood Oil
• 2 teaspoons Jojoba Oil
• 10 ml Roller Bottle

Directions: Add all recipe ingredients to the roll-on bottle. Shake to blend together, then roll onto pulse points and upper chest.

2. Agarwood Diffuser Blend - Scent of Nirvana

Diffusing agarwood allows its warm, grounding fragrance to relax both mind and body. Here is a blend that uses the power of just one drop of agar oil.

• 4 drops of Mandarin essential oil
• 3 drops of Blood Orange essential oil
• 2 drops of Pink Pepper essential oil
• 1 drop of Agarwood essential oil

Directions: Add essential oil drops to your aromatherapy diffuser with the recommended water for the tank. Turn the diffuser on and enjoy.

3. Agarwood Inhaler Blend for Meditation

The ancient fragrance of oud has been enjoyed in religious ceremonies for centuries to enhance centeredness and focus. Inhale this blend before your meditation practice.

• 4 drops Bergamot essential oil
• 4 drops Copaiba essential oil
• 4 drops Frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops Agarwood essential oil
• Blank Aromatherapy Inhaler

Directions: Add the wick to a small bowl and drop the essential oils onto it. Use tweezers to roll the wick around and soak up any oil left in the bowl. Place the wick in the blank inhaler and put on the end cap. To use, hold under your nose and inhale the aroma.

General Essential Oil Precautions

Never use essential oils undiluted, in eyes or mucous membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, and be sure you have researched the oil and that it is safe for use on kids. Plant Therapy clearly labels their oils "KidSafe" on the bottle if the oil can be used for children ages 2–10.

If applying an essential oil topically (on your skin), perform a small patch test first, using 1-2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil like jojoba oil. Read how to do a patch test here.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. For more information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Sourcing and Sustainability

Wild agarwood trees have been harvested so heavily that all Aquilaria species are protected under international trade rules (CITES). Most oud on the market today should come from cultivated plantations, where trees are grown and deliberately inoculated to produce the fragrant resin.

When you shop, choose brands that tell you where their oud comes from and that it is plantation grown. This protects the remaining wild trees and helps make sure this precious oil is still around for years to come.

Final Thoughts on Agarwood Essential Oil

Agarwood is a splurge, but a tiny bottle lasts a long time, since one or two drops is all a blend needs. Start with the roll-on perfume to get to know its rich, smoky scent, then try it in your meditation inhaler.

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More Essential Oil Blends and Oil Spotlights

• List of 150 Essential Oils and Their Uses
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• Rosewood Oil
• Magnolia Oil
• Black Spruce Oil
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