Oriental and alluring, black oud is one of the rarest and most expensive of natural commodities. In many parts of the world, oud is more than merely a scent or a therapeutic product; it is part of the very culture of its people.The healing properties of black oud are extolled in ancient scripts. Celebrations of its fragrance are found in the folklore of eastern civilisations stretching back millennia.
Oud has been embraced by Europeans and Americans in a big way in the last decade, both for its alluring and addictive scent, and its restorative skin care and medicinal qualities. To understand why oud is such a phenomenon is to learn the mystical stories of old and know why oud holds such a special place in Eastern medicine and spirituality.
WHAT IS OUD?
Known in the Middle East and the Gulf as “black gold”, black oud is derived from the subtropical Aquilaria tree.
This evergreen agar tree is found in Northeast India, Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. When a damaged section of the tree becomes infected by a mould known as Phialophora parasitica, it produces a thick, dark substance to protect itself. This precious black, scented resin, which is then found in the heartwood of the agar tree, is the source of oud. The fungus affects so few trees - around one in ten - that oud is extremely rare. It is also very hard to successfully replicate the process by human intervention. That has long made oud a cherished commodity and it is pricier per pound than gold. Over time the heartwood resin hardens.
The resinous wood is soaked in water then either separated and used in chips for burning or it is distilled to produce oud oil. The oil is then dried in sunlight to evaporate excess moisture. The production of high-quality oud is a revered skill carried out by dedicated artisans following methods passed down through the generations.
The demand for oud, and the rarity of the mature trees which produce the precious resin, has put the aquilaria on endangered lists. As a result, sustainable growth and production techniques have been in place for over a decade.
HISTORY OF OUD
Oud has a history as rich and unique as its scent. Reference to oud is made in the Sanskrit, Torah, Gospel and Islamic scriptures. The prophet Muhammed is said to have used oud to incense his clothes and made reference to agarwood’s special place in Paradise.
Agarwood is mentioned several times in the bible. The Pharisee, Nicodemus, is described as wrapping Jesus' body after the Crucifixion with linen and spices, including oud.
Oud wasn’t just used as a scent or as a display of opulence but has long been highly prized for its medicinal properties. These range from the psychoactive to the spiritual, and from the therapeutic to the medicinal.
The Roman physician, Dioscorides described the medicinal uses of agarwood in his book Materia Medica (65 CE), a pharmacopoeia of medicinal plants and medicines used to treat human complaints. Other mythologies have suggested that agarwood was the only cutting that Adam was allowed to take from the garden of Eden.
The extremely wealthy ancient Chinese would have their coffins made out of agarwood. In Buddhism, the most precious Buddhist string of beads numbering to 108 is made of this precious resinous heartwood.
As the use of oud spread to Europe, royalty adopted it into its palaces. Louis The XIV (The Sun King) loved the fragrance so much that he washed his clothes in a blend of oud and roses on a daily basis. It was just as well that oud has such a powerful scent. Louis was said to be terrified of bathing, as many were at the time. The fear was that water spread disease, so washing infrequently reduced the risk.
The royal appreciation of oud continues to this day. Prince William is said to have received a personal scent containing the substance on his wedding day in 2011.
HOW OUD IS USED
Agarwood chips (called “bakhoor”) are used to perfume textiles and to make the home fragrant. At its highest quality, scented chips are used for special occasions like weddings and family celebrations.
Oud is widely used in the south and east to burn as incense sticks and it is commonly burned in mosques. Oud is given as a gift to esteemed colleagues, family members and guests and it is widely used in essential oils.
Oud oil is dabbed behind the ears and on the neck to display personal devotion. The smell of oud permeates many public places in the Gulf and the Middle East.Oud is often the scent that exiles report missing most from home and oud’s popularity elsewhere in the world is partly due to the desire of travellers to retain its familiarity when abroad.
Oud oil is unique too, as a scent which remains on the skin long after other perfumes would have dissipated. The scent of oud subtly changes during the hours in which it is worn.
What does oud smell like?
Traders, perfumers, aromatherapists, travellers, romanticists and writers have long grappled with the right words to describe the scent of oud.
Narratives include descriptors such as dusty, dusky, dry, smoky, musky, animalistic, sensual, sexual and brooding.
Oud scents have subtle sweet, herby undertones which are barely noticeable at first before deeper notes come to the fore.Indeed, oud is all about depth with a permeating velvety spiciness which touches on sweet before deepening with an earthy profundity.Oud fragrances develop with wear on the skin like little else in the world. Oud is a naturally occurring compound that when combined with the oils, heat and pheromones of our skin alters in chemistry and scent. Indeed, oud rarely smells the same on any one person, or at any one time.When citizens of the Middle East and the Gulf greet each other, they do so with a firm handshake and a nose-to-nose or cheek-to-cheek.
To meet another requires a strong first impression, the scent of oud does this.Today, oud has transcended the initial trend which burst from the east to become a mystical mainstay.For interior environments, oud exudes a sense of opulence, luxury and comfort. It is the aroma of a candle-lit evening soiree but also one of relaxation, meditation and spirituality. For those of us who have not experienced the mosques of the East, the effect of burning oud perhaps comes closest to that of the burning of incense in a Catholic mass.
The health benefits of oud
For thousands of years, agarwood and its oud have been used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes and it continues to be used in many traditional medicines.The prophet Muhammad himself outlined seven basic medicinal benefits of oud.
Seven Medicinal Benefits of Oud: As the centuries have progressed, research and use of oud have resulted in many more benefits being attributed to its oils.
1. To treat irregularity in menses
2. For the treatment of urinary diseases
3. To reduce heat in the body;
4. As an aphrodisiac to enhance sexual libido
5. For alleviating excess intestinal bacteria
6. To cure stomach complications
7. To treat cure skin and liver disorders
As the centuries have progressed, research and use of oud have resulted in many more benefits being attributed to its oils.
Additional Benefits Include:
- Psychoactive properties which can reduce emotional, nervous and psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- Oud is widely used for meditation in enhancing peace and tranquillity.
- As a natural sedative - for promoting healthy sleep patterns and alleviating stress.
- To aid slimming.
- To alleviate the symptoms of asthma and other lung conditions.
- To treat the digestive system and associated complaints.
- As a pain reliever due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Recommended for the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver and kidney problems.
- For the treatment of certain tumours. Research has notably focused on stomach and lung cancers.
Other properties hailed for use of oud oil include relief from itching, as a stimulant, as a diuretic, as a muscle relaxant, and to combat fever. Research is also underway to understand the antidepressant effects of oud.
Black oud and its skincare benefits
Black oud has numerous skincare benefits which have led to its soaring popularity in the beauty industry.
Black oud seals in moisture and so intensely hydrates and restores brightness to lifeless skin tissue. An oud-based moisturiser, used daily, improves dry skin conditions.
The powerful anti-oxidative properties of black oud regenerate new healthy skin cells and can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines along with other signs of premature ageing.
The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties of black oud combine to defend skin against infection-causing microbes, reduce the occurrence of pimples and prevent other skin ailments. Oud has also been recommended for the treatment of skin ulcers.
Oud oil contains natural UV-protective compounds including concentrated triterpene esters, cinnamic acid, phytosterols and hydrocarbons. Used in conjunction with a high-quality sunscreen lotion it can help prevent harm from the sun.
Black oud oil increases the strength of collagen fibres found in deeper layers of skin. Collagen is a key protein which provides structure to the skin and helps maintain a smooth, even complexion.
The vitamin-enriched makeup of oud oil includes zinc, iron and calcium, as well as essential fatty acids. This is why we have included this vital ingredient in our luxurious men's hydrating facial moisturiser.
OUD OIL FOR HAIR AND BEARD CARE
Oud oil is also beneficial for the hair and scalp. Indeed, Sanskrit poet, Kālidāsa (c. 353-c. 420), describes “beautiful women...suspend their dark hair in the smoke of burning aloes.” (aloes was the ancient word for agarwood).
Oud acts as a serum to hydrate dry, frizzy hair. The antiseptic action of oud cleanses pollutants and irritants in the hair and on the scalp.
There is no oil more suited to the beard wearer than oud. After all, oud has been worn by sultans, pharaohs and kings for millennia.
No matter the shape, length or style of beard, beard oil is an essential addition to any man’s daily routine. Oud beard oil combines the skincare benefits of the resin with the enriching scent which will linger all day.
This Holy Grail of fragrances and skin care, oud beard oil moisturises and nourishes the skin beneath while encouraging healthy facial hair growth. The deep, masculine scent of oud appeals to beard wearers and their admirers. Check out our beard set to get some of these incredible hair and beard care benefits.
ARE THERE ANY DOWNSIDES TO OUD?
Oud oil is usually well-tolerated when burned as incense or in an essential oil, or when applied externally.
It is important to buy high-quality oud products. Some merchants have been found to cheat by adding lead to oud to increase its weight. Inhalation of lead fumes can damage the body.
If inhaled excessively, the vapour of oud oil may cause nausea and temporary dizziness for a few minutes. If so, drink water, breathe fresh air and lie down for a few moments.
Oud has also been linked to the worsening of childhood asthma symptoms, though the study concludes this was likely due to a gene variant increasing susceptibility.
There is little evidence of any negative side effects of using black oud as part of a skincare regime. If applied on the skin excessively, it can cause irritation, redness or a mild burning sensation. This can be alleviated by washing the area with cold water for a few minutes.
Excessive oral intake of oud may cause nausea, vomiting or heartburn. Drinking lots of water can help. As with all medicinal and beauty products, medical attention should be sought if symptoms persist.
What has been your experience with Oud so far?
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