Impakter
  • News
    • Culture
      • Art
      • Cinema
      • Entertainment
      • Literature
      • Music
      • Photography
    • Style
      • Architecture
      • Design
      • Fashion
      • Foodscape
      • Lifestyle
    • Society
      • Business
      • Foreign Affairs & Politics
      • Health
      • Tech
      • Science
      • Start-up
    • Impact
      • Environment
      • Eco Life
      • Circular Economy
      • COP26
      • CityLife
        • Copenhagen
        • San Francisco
        • Seattle
        • Sydney
      • Sustainability Series
        • SDGs Series
        • Shape Your Future
        • 2030: Dream or Reality
      • Philanthropy
        • United Nations
        • NGO & Charities
        • Essays
  • Business Hub
  • Sustainability Index
  • Partners
  • About
    • Team
    • Contributors
    • Global Leaders
    • Write for Impakter
      • Republishing Content
      • Permissions and Copyright
      • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Culture
      • Art
      • Cinema
      • Entertainment
      • Literature
      • Music
      • Photography
    • Style
      • Architecture
      • Design
      • Fashion
      • Foodscape
      • Lifestyle
    • Society
      • Business
      • Foreign Affairs & Politics
      • Health
      • Tech
      • Science
      • Start-up
    • Impact
      • Environment
      • Eco Life
      • Circular Economy
      • COP26
      • CityLife
        • Copenhagen
        • San Francisco
        • Seattle
        • Sydney
      • Sustainability Series
        • SDGs Series
        • Shape Your Future
        • 2030: Dream or Reality
      • Philanthropy
        • United Nations
        • NGO & Charities
        • Essays
  • Business Hub
  • Sustainability Index
  • Partners
  • About
    • Team
    • Contributors
    • Global Leaders
    • Write for Impakter
      • Republishing Content
      • Permissions and Copyright
      • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Impakter
No Result
View All Result
Home Society Health

Applying the Mystery of Oud to Sustainable Development

byDr. Andrew Steel
June 20, 2017
in Health, NGO & Charities, Philanthropy, SDG Series
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Oud oil comes from trees and wood of the genus Aquilaria, fifteen species of trees that are native to Southeast Asia. Trees of this genus are often referred to as Agar, Agarwood, Aloeswood or Eaglewood. Oud oil extracted from the Agarwood tree has only recently become well known in the West when major perfumers started to use it as a base oil in their fragrances.

However, Oud oil and Agarwood have a deep and meaningful history going back long before our modern-day usage of the product.  The Prophet Mohammed was said to scent his home with Oud. Oud/Agarwood is also mentioned by the 9th-century Islamic scholar al-Bukhari as one of the plants of Paradise. The Tanakh (Old Testament) refers to ‘aloes’ at least 5 times, but the ‘aloes’ mentioned in the Bible are not Aloe Vera, they are actually Oud.

1394454666697

In the Photo: Black resin in the Agarwood. Photo Credit: The Treedom Group

From Damage Comes Healing

Interestingly, the healing properties of agarwood derive from a fungus or mold infection of the aquilaria tree. Without this attack, the trees are virtually worthless but once invaded they produce a rich resin as a defense mechanism in the heartwood of the tree. This dense resinous wood which is dark brown is transformed into an incredibly valued and valuable commodity: oud.

In nature, only a small percentage of wild trees are infected, and only a percentage of those sufficiently so to produce the resin. However, demand can be met with the growth of trees in the plantation sector.


Related Article: “HEALTH IN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS“


The global Oud market is currently estimated at USD $2 Billion dollars.  Continued support and development of the infrastructure in this industry can contribute to the elimination of poverty as well as have a significant effect on other sustainable development goals.

In my opinion, this potent and seemingly unknown and cherished product has the ability to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals in a way that hasn’t been discussed before. It has been a hidden gem that deserves recognition outside of the areas where it is currently well known and sought after.

IMG_8463

In the Photo: Agarwood saplings in the nursery. Photo Credit: The Treedom Group

How is Treedom helping?

The Treedom Group has been working with local communities in Thailand to develop this industry for over a decade. It was identified at a very early stage that a significant number of trees had been planted in the region with the anticipation of ‘natural’ infection occurring. The farmers did not possess the ability to ‘artificially’ induce the infection in the tree or extract the value due to lack of processing facilities and the high costs of the ‘artificial’ inoculant.

Treedom has been able to provide a solution on both counts by paying a fair market value for the tree, inoculating the tree, which otherwise would have been sold as firewood, and then harvesting it for the precious Oud oil. This allows for the farmer to re-grow the tree with minimal cost and resell it in the future, thus preventing land conversion to cash crops.

Agarwood in Traditional Chinese Medicine

For thousands of years, agarwood, known as chen xiang (沉香) and Oud Oil have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As well as TCM, agarwood is valued by many alternative medicinal practitioners in Ayurveda, Tibetan and Arabic medicine. The sheer number of physical and mental ailments that are treated with the use of agarwood resin and oud oil is impressive.

So deeply ingrained is agarwood as a potent, almost magical ingredient into the psyche of traditional Chinese culture, that it is believed that Samurais would use the perfume on their armor to bring good luck before going to battle.

Oud oil is used in TCM as a tonic, stimulant, and even an aphrodisiac. Many abdominal conditions are treated including indigestion problems and even stomach tumors. Agarwood is used as an anti-asthma medicine and pleurisy antidote as well as being valued as a pain and stress reliever along with an aid in treating neuromuscular conditions. As a tonic, agarwood is used to address blood impurities and has been used to tackle hepatitis and anemia too.

Much research has looked into the antibacterial properties of agarwood and how it could help target Mycobacterium tuberculosis, for example. Whilst on a psychological level, the oil extracted from agarwood is believed to be a rescue remedy that can influence brainwaves with a soothing, harmonizing effect.

Screen Shot 2017-06-20 at 11.52.54 AM

In the Photo: Agarwood oil in spa industry Photo Credit: The Treedom Fund/Purchased from Shuttershock

The Chinese Market

Within China, Oud Oil as a fragrance is attracting attention and agarwood, which is some 35 times more expensive than gold per gram, is fast-becoming an investment for the luxury Chinese market.  Wood shavings and particularly wood powder as well as the oil are used in TCM and this is extending into more modern Chinese pharmacopeia.

As a luxury item, high-profile attention has promoted the fragrance and agarwood too. Well-known Chinese TV host Wang Yinan who is the director of the National Chen Xiang Research Association has pushed agarwood into the limelight and under the noses of China’s elite and they are certainly following the heady scent.

Wealthy Generation Y buyers who value experiences rather than merely accruing assets are proving to be a good customer pool to target. Especially because within Chinese culture there is an ingrained understanding of natural ingredients and the healing effects they have that parallel those of modern medicine. Add to this a progressive acceptance into mainstream medicine of TCM and China is set to become an agarwood capital, not only within Southeast Asia, but globally.

Oud Oil’s Anticancer Properties

Could oud oil also offer a pioneering treatment in the fight against cancer? A recent study suggests that oud oil possesses anticancer activity toward MCF-7 breast cancer cells. These latest findings from a Malaysian research university study back up the use of agarwood essential oil as a treatment for inflammatory-related diseases. The study revealed that oud oil concentration of 44 μg/ml was able to inhibit 50% of control cell growth.  The results could mark further investigation into the medicinal capabilities of oud oil as an alternative cancer treatment. 

IMG_7893 (1)

In the Photo: Extracted agarwood oil (oud oil) Photo Credit: The Treedom Group

Anti-pancreatic cancer properties

A separate study in Malaysia also found agarwood essential oils to have anti-pancreatic properties. The inhibition of metastasis and induction of apoptosis in the pancreatic cell line was investigated. The results revealed that the oils used exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against these cells, inhibited cell migration and at a certain dosage could significantly obstruct the colony formation properties of the cell line.

Oud oil compound properties

The unique compounds found in oud oil in high concentrations are believed to be the key to its wide use to treat a great number of health and wellness issues. Carvacrol, trepans, and phenols attack viruses and bacteria within the body and the oil has an anti-microbial property which researchers have looked into as a possible treatment source for illnesses such as MRSA and staph. The oil has an anti-oxidant and anesthetic effect too. The potential that oud oil could act as a cell-killing agent to cancer could lead to powerful medical breakthroughs.

Time for Agarwood Tea

Agarwood tea is an elixir of wellness that inspires well-being. Every element of Agarwood and Oud Oil seems to beckon further investigation and the deep heritage of therapeutic use provides an incredible amount of evidence about many purported health benefits.

Modern lifestyles and pollutants attack the body and mind, creating disease and health problems along the way. Alongside the spectacular advancements of medicine, there has been a growing interest in the power of plants and natural ingredients, many of which, like Agarwood, have been used for thousands of years in complementary health therapies. The antibacterial agents and diuretic properties within the tea cleanse the body, flushing out and eliminating harmful toxins. It is purported that agarwood tea can help get rid of mercury in the body, a poisonous element that is not expelled naturally and which can cause many neurological problems if levels become high.

It is because of the impact on the whole body and the mind, which is so intrinsically linked to physical health, that gives Agarwood tea its special quality as a truly holistic brew.

Screen Shot 2017-06-20 at 11.58.44 AM

In the Photo: Agarwood Distillery. Photo Credit: The Treedom Fund

Unraveling the Mystery of Oud

The benefits scripted above are known by only a few. I strongly feel that the message about this fascinating industry needs to be spread. I am a strong believer that many of the diseases in this world can be cured using natural products derived from the forest and oud is showing its wondrous properties albeit being one of the most expensive commodities on the market.

At this juncture, farmers also have to accept the farm gate price if they are physically able to produce the end product although they don’t always have access to market and unscrupulous ‘brokers’ are taking advantage of this fact.  Treedom has been able to provide economies of scale that didn’t exist in the industry previously. Therefore, working with communities to cut out the middleman is creating the final link in the value chain that the farmers need.

This mystery surrounding Oud does need a deeper focus to create more marketable products but the product has been around for centuries and it can go a long way to supporting some of the SDGs when the right focus and business acumen are applied.

With the advent of social media, coupled with the smartphone boom, the smaller players in the marketplace are now able to reach out to international customers. The industry would benefit from an international grading standard which could potentially lead to a commodity market being formed and through this, level the playing field. Treedom is working towards creating a standard that can be initially adopted by the Thai standards authority. Later on, the aim is to work in conjunction with other national bodies to create one globally accepted standard for the Oud products.

As the mystery of Oud unravels we can clearly see that it has the ability to generate income for communities which touches on SDG Goal 1 to end poverty. The health benefits of Oud have also been included in numerous scientific journals and are linked to SDG Goal 3 to promote healthy well-being.


Recommended Reading: “TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT“


As Aquilaria trees are included in the Convention for the International Trade or Endangered Species (CITES) measures are now in place to ensure sustainable consumption, touching upon SDG Goal 12. CITES dictates that the Aquilaria trees can now only be harvested from managed plantations. Therefore, more are being planted which is also combating climate change as trees are effective in removing carbon from the atmosphere.

The mystery surrounding Oud does need a deeper focus to create more marketable products but Oud has been around for centuries and it can go a long way to supporting some of the SDGs when the right focus and business acumen are applied.

TheTreedomGroup-Logo

EDITOR’S NOTE: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE BY IMPAKTER.COM COLUMNISTS ARE THEIR OWN, NOT THOSE OF IMPAKTER.COM 
Featured Photo Credit: The Treedom Group
Tags: AgarwoodAndrew SteelbusinessEnvironmenthealthImpakterOud OilSDGsSustainabilitysustainable development goalsThe Treedom Group
Previous Post

From Where I Stand: “With every thread I wove… I was weaving away my sorrows”

Next Post

Seedrs: the future of crowdfunding is now

Dr. Andrew Steel

Dr. Andrew Steel

Holding a Doctorate in Science, awarded Honaris Causa by the University of Hull, UK and an MBA from the Sydney Graduate School of Management, Andrew was a recipient of the Directors Award for all round excellence in the MBA programme. In his earlier years, Andrew enjoyed 13 years of distinguished services to the Royal Navy, becoming the captain of their Rugby League team.

Related Posts

Our World of Water: What We’ve Done — and Haven’t 
Environment

Our World of Water: What We’ve Done — and Haven’t 

March 27, 2023
Surprising Early Medical Practices Still Relevant Today 
Health

Surprising Early Medical Practices Still Relevant Today 

March 25, 2023
United Nations
Climate Change

End the United Nations? Bad Idea  

March 24, 2023
Next Post
Seedrs: the future of crowdfunding is now

Seedrs: the future of crowdfunding is now

Please login to join discussion

Recent News

The Green Runners

Charging Into the Future — The Green Runners

March 27, 2023
Our World of Water: What We’ve Done — and Haven’t 

Our World of Water: What We’ve Done — and Haven’t 

March 27, 2023
AI Twitter misinformation

Elon’s Twitter Ripe for a Misinformation Avalanche

March 27, 2023
impakter-logo-light

Impakter informs you through the eco news site and empowers your sustainable lifestyle with its eco products marketplace.

Visit here IMPAKTER ECO for your eco products needs.

Registered Office Address

32 Lots Road, London
SW10 0QJ, United Kingdom


IMPAKTER Limited

Company number: 10806931

Impakter is a publication that is identified by the following International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is the following 2515-9569 (Printed) and 2515-9577 (online – Website).


Office Hours - Monday to Friday

9.30am - 5.00pm CEST


Email

stories [at] impakter.com

About Us

  • Team
  • Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partners

By Audience

  • Lifestyle
  • Green Finance
  • Culture
  • Society
  • Style
  • Impact

Impakter Platforms

  • Media
  • Index

© 2023 IMPAKTER. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Culture
    • Style
    • Society
    • Impact
  • Business Hub
  • Sustainability Index
  • About
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

© 2023 IMPAKTER. All rights reserved.

Impakter.com uses cookies to enhance your experience when visiting the website and to serve you with advertisements that might interest you. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.