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Agarwood, also known as oud, oodh or agar, is a dark resinous heartwood that forms in ''Aquilaria'' and ''Gyrinops''〔''The genus Gyrinops, is closely related to Aquilaria and in the past all species were considered to belong to Aquilaria.'' Blanchette, Robert A. (2006) ("Cultivated Agarwood – Training programs and Research in Papua New Guinea" ), Forest Pathology and Wood Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota〕 trees (large evergreens native to southeast Asia) when they become infected with a type of mould. Prior to infection, the heartwood is relatively light and pale coloured; however, as the infection progresses, the tree produces a dark aromatic resin in response to the attack, which results in a very dense, dark, resin embedded heartwood. The resin embedded wood is commonly called ''gaharu'', ''jinko'', ''aloeswood'', ''agarwood'', or ''oud'' (not to be confused with 'Bakhoor') and is valued in many cultures for its distinctive fragrance, and thus is used for incense and perfumes. One of the main reasons for the relative rarity and high cost of agarwood is the depletion of the wild resource.〔Broad, S. (1995) "Agarwood harvesting in Vietnam" ''TRAFFIC Bulletin'' 15:96〕 Since 1995 ''Aquilaria malaccensis'', the primary source, has been listed in Appendix II (potentially threatened species) by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.〔(CITES (25 April 2005) "Notification to the Parties" No. 2005/0025 ). (PDF) . Retrieved on 2013-07-22.〕 In 2004 all ''Aquilaria'' species were listed in Appendix II; however, a number of countries have outstanding reservations regarding that listing.〔 First-grade agarwood is one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world. A whole range of qualities and products are on the market, varying in quality with geographical location and cultural deposition. Oud oil is distilled from agarwood, and fetches high prices depending on the oil's purity. The current global market for agarwood is estimated to be in the range of US$6 – 8 billion and is growing rapidly.〔(International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences ), ISSN 2305-0330, Volume 2, Issue 1: January 2013)〕 ==History== The odour of agarwood is complex and pleasing,〔International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, ISSN 2305-0330, Volume 2, Issue 1: January 2013)〕 with few or no similar natural analogues. As a result, agarwood and its essential oil gained great cultural and religious significance in ancient civilizations around the world, being mentioned throughout one of the world's oldest written texts – the Sanskrit Vedas from India. As early as the third century AD in ancient China, the chronicle ''Nan zhou yi wu zhi'' (Strange things from the South) written by Wa Zhen of the Eastern Wu Dynasty mentioned agarwood produced in the Rinan commandery, now Central Vietnam, and how people collected it in the mountains. Agarwood’s use as a medicinal product has been recorded in the Sahih Muslim, which dates back to approximately the eighth century, and in the Ayurvedic medicinal text the Susruta Samhita. Starting in 1580 after Nguyễn Hoàng took control over the central provinces of modern Vietnam, he encouraged trade with other countries, specifically China and Japan. Agarwood was exported in three varieties: Calambac (kỳ nam in Vietnamese), trầm hương (very similar but slightly harder and slightly more abundant), and agarwood proper. A pound of Calambac bought in Hội An for 15 taels could be sold in Nagasaki for 600 taels. The Nguyễn Lords soon established a Royal Monopoly over the sale of Calambac. This monopoly helped fund the Nguyễn state finances during the early years of the Nguyen rule.〔Li, Tana (1998) ''Nguyễn Cochinchina: southern Vietnam in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries'', Southeast Asia Program Publications, Ithaca, New York, p. 79, ISBN 0-87727-722-2〕 Xuanzang's travelogues and the ''Harshacharita'', written in seventh century AD in Northern India, mentions use of agarwood products such as 'Xasipat' (writing-material) and 'aloe-oil' in ancient Assam (Kamarupa). The tradition of making writing materials from its bark still exists in Assam. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Agarwood」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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