Agarwood Incense Benefits: Spiritual, Physical and More

Though Agarwood is one of the less heard of incense scents, its unique aroma creates an impression that lasts forever. Spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally, Agarwood has so many healing benefits, it's hard to count them all. However, in this article, we have broken down our favourite Agarwood incense benefits... And how you can use it for the best spiritual outcome!
 
  1. What Is Agarwood?
  2. What is Agarwood Incense?
  3. What Does Agarwood Incense Smell Like?
  4. Our Favourite Benefits of Agarwood Incense
  5. Spiritual Fulfilment
    1. Physical Wellbeing
  6. Other Benefits of Agarwood
    1. Improves Cognitive Function
    2. Produces Intoxicating Scent
  7. How to Use Agarwood Incense For Spirituality
  8. The Final Word
  9. People Also Ask

What Is Agarwood?

Agarwood, also known as the 'wood of Gods', comes from Aquilaria, a species of evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. It is a fragrant wood, renowned for its dark colour and for producing copious amounts of resin. The very best Agarwood (Kynam) is one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world. Perhaps its high value is caused by this tree's numbers depleting over the last century, making Agarwood a highly sought-after commodity.

However, another reason for Agarwood being so pricey may lie in the way it is produced. For the Aquaria tree to form Agarwood, its wood needs to be penetrated by an 'Ambrosia Beetle', an insect that feeds on the wood and resin, allowing a mould infection to occur. Amazingly, the tree's response to this attack is to produce a material that increases the density and fragrance of the damaged wood. This area of damage is Agarwood.

What is Agarwood Incense?

Agarwood incense comes in different forms including Sticks, Cones, Coils, and our favourite being, Natural Incense.
Incense Sticks: Incense sticks are an easy, cheap solution to incense burning. They consist of a combination of fragrant aromatics and combustible wood powders that form a paste. This is then set around a small stick, usually made from bamboo. Incense sticks produce a strong, pleasant aroma, however, most sticks available today have added chemicals which can be harmful to the body. This also applies to cones and coils.
Natural Incense: We may be biased, but we believe natural incense to be the best, all-rounded incense. So what is it? Natural incense is a combination of natural and aromatic substances sourced from various plant materials, including Resin - found within the bark of certain tropical trees, Essential oil - extracted from flowers, herbs, leaves, bark, fruit, spices, nuts, and seeds, and Botanicals - simply dried aromatic plant life. Natural incense is the most ancient form of incense burning, whilst also being the most healing, fragrant, and energising.
Agarwood natural incense consists of burning its essential oil and resin, however, we like to mix things up by combining different scents. Frankincense oil and Lavender oil are great complimentary scents for Agarwood. For more on natural incense and how to burn it, Click here.

What is Oud?

As well as common Agarwood incense, Oud or Oudh is another common type of fragrance made with Agarwood. Oud, also known as the 'five thousand dollars per pound scent', is a perfume and oil substance extracted from Agarwood resin. It has strong roots in the Middle East and Southeast Asia but is slowly gaining popularity in the West.
Oud is one of the most highly prized ingredients in the world. As an indicator of its rarity, manufacturers can only obtain a few millilitres of Oud oil from over 50 kilograms of wood. So it's clear that people are willing to go to extreme lengths for this scent, but why?
Read on to find out what makes the smell of Agarwood so irresistible.

What Does Agarwood Incense Smell Like?

Agarwood and Oud have a warm, sweet, musky aroma with sweet and woodsy notes. It is an unmistakable aroma and once you have smelled it, it will remain in your long-term memory for life!

Our Favourite Benefits of Agarwood Incense

Spiritual Fulfilment


Agarwood, burned for centuries by ancient societies all over Asia and the Near East, has great significance in many modern religious circles, especially in Hinduism and Islam.
The smoke of burning Agarwood was used to carry prayers and offerings to the spirit world, also known to have incredible protective and healing energy. It was used to restore an atmosphere of sacred calm, thus why many religious people use it to cleanse temples and other places of worship.
Agarwood incense is the ultimate tool for enhancing home meditation or yoga practices and is also perfect for times you just want to take a moment and reconnect with your higher consciousness through the power of prayer.

Physical Wellbeing


Agarwood was one of the area's most lucrative exports in ancient Vietnam. Frequently traded with China and Japan, it was a prized commodity, mostly for its medicinal uses.
As a traditional medicine, Agarwood was frequently featured in Tibetan and Chinese folk medicine, as well as a common mention in Ancient Greek texts. Documented in these texts were several Agarwood benefits, including helping with an upset stomach and acting as pain relief. Modern science has backed up these ancient texts with evidence that Agarwood can treat digestive issues and abdominal pain.
There is also evidence that Agarwood has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and central nervous system boosting qualities.
Though there is little evidence, we believe that Agarwood incense can release these healing properties into your space.

Other Benefits of Agarwood

Improves Cognitive Function

Research shows that Agarwood incense improves focus and memory, so could be the perfect addition to some last-minute studying or for some hard, stressful work.

Produces Intoxicating Scent

There's a reason Agarwood is one of the most desired and expensive fragrances out there. Its musky, sweet, balsamic aroma is so inviting, you'll wish you had an endless supply.
I love to burn Agarwood incense in the winter because its aroma creates the ultimate relaxing atmosphere.

How to Use Agarwood Incense For Spirituality

Time needed: 1 hour.

It is important that before using Agarwood incense, you clear your space of flammable objects and ensure children and pets are not in the room. They tend to be far more sensitive to the smoke and the effects of the aromatics.

We always recommend burning Agarwood with the windows open, this allows for refreshing natural air into your space for maximum spiritual benefit.

    1. Set your intentions

      Have a clear intention in your mind before you begin, for example, you may want to connect with your higher self, or you might just want to engage in prayer.

    2. Set up your space

      Find a spot where you can be in a comfortable, seated position

    3. Light your incense

      Gently light your incense... How to Burn Natural Incense How to Burn Incense Sticks

    4. Relax

      Take deep, purposeful breaths, allowing your mind to fully engage, and your body to relax.

    5. Maintain your focus

      Keep the focus for as long as you feel is necessary for you to be spiritually fulfilled.

    6. Put out your Incense

      Allow it to cool, then carefully dispose of the ash.

The Final Word

Pound for pound, Agarwood is the most expensive natural product in the world. This makes it crucial that you research before purchasing to get the best product possible. It may cost you a little more, but take it from us, the irresistible smell and the incredible benefits of Agarwood incense make it worth every single penny.

People Also Ask

Why is Agarwood so expensive?

Agarwood is so expensive because it is a pure, natural product from a threatened species of tree. It also requires incredibly unique conditions for it to become fragrant.

How do you pronounce 'Oud'?

Oud is pronounced 'Ood'. The word has Arabic origins and oud is still a very popular product in the Middle East and Central Asia.

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