These are just a few of the common names for this resinous, fragrant, and highly valued heartwood produced by Aquilaria malaccensis and other species of the tree genus Aquilaria, found in Asia, including India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The wealth of names for this wood reflects its widespread and varied use over thousands of years. Agarwood is used in Tibetan and East Asian medicinal practices, and both agarwood oil and incense are used in the Middle East.
Plant anticancer agents. XIX Constituents of Aquilaria malaccensis.
Gunasekera SP, Kinghorn AD, Cordell GA, Farnsworth NR.
The stem bark of the Thai tree Aquilaria malaccensis (Thymelaeaceae) has afforded 1,3-dibehenyl-2-ferulyl glyceride (3), which is novel, and 12-O-n-deca- 2, 4, 6-trienoylphorbol-13-acetate (4). The structures of these cytotoxic compounds were elucidated by their spectral and chemical parameters.
PMID: 7320738 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Agarwood is considered by many to be the most important aromatic substance on earth.
Used medicinally, aloeswood, is a remedy for nervous disorders such as neurosis, obsessive behavior, and exhaustion. Aloeswood is highly psychoactive and is effective in bringing us into a closer communication with our Spiritual side.
Agarwood Oil
% Chemicals
27.0 2-(2-(4 methoxyphenyl)ethyl)chromone
15.0 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone
05.0 oxoagarospirol
03.0 9,11-eremophiladien-8-one
02.5 6-methoxy-2(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)chormone
01.5 guaia-1(10),11-dien-15-al
01.5 selina-3,11-dien-ol
01.4 kusunol
01.0 selina-2,11-dien-14-ol
01.0 guaia-1(10), 11-dien-15-oic acid
00.8 selina-3,11-dien-9-one
00.7 jinko-eremol 00.7 selina-4,11-dien-14-al
00.7 dihydrokaranone
00.6 selina-3,11-dien-14-al
00.4 2-hydroxyguaia-1(10),11-dien-15-oic acid
00.4 b-agarfuran
00.3 guaia-1(10),11-dien-15-ol
00.3 guaia-1(10),11-dien-15,2-olide
00.3 selina-3,11-dien-14-oic acid
00.2 norketoagarfuran
00.2 agarspirol
00.2 sinenofuranol
00.2 selina-4,11-dien-14-oic acid
00.2 9-hydroxyselina-4,11-dien-14-oic acid
00.2 dehydrojinkoh-eremol 00.1 rotundone
00.1 a-bulnesene
00.1 karanone
00.1 a-guaiene
00.1 bulnesene oxide
00.1 guaia-1(10),11-dien-9-one
00.1 1,5-epoxy-norketoguaiene
65% total Source: Ishihara et al., 1993