Oud possesses a great cultural significance because of its use in traditional incense and perfumes, and it is also mentioned in one of the world\’s oldest written texts – the Sanskrit Vedas from India. When the once light Aquilaria tree heartwood becomes infected with a specific type of mold, it defends itself with a dark and fragrant protective resin. This now dark wood, oud or agarwood, holds a complex fragrance, resembling few or no other natural ingredients.