What is aloe wood?

Aloe wood, also known as agarwood or oud, is a resinous heartwood that is produced by several species of Aquilaria trees found in Southeast Asia, including India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The wood contains a highly fragrant resin known as oud oil, which is used in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine. Aloe wood is considered a luxury item, and its price varies depending on its quality, rarity, and origin. The production of aloe wood is threatened by overharvesting and illegal logging, and as a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified several Aquilaria species as endangered. The cultivation of aloe wood trees and the artificial induction of agarwood resin formation through inoculation or mechanical damage is practiced as a sustainable alternative to wild harvesting.