Oudh is the most precious incense wood in the world. It is mentioned throughout one of the world's oldest written texts – the Sanskrit Vedas from India - under the name "agaru". It is still called "agarwood" in India, while "oudh" simply means "wood" in arabic.

When the Aquilaria (eaglewood or aloeswood) tree becomes infected by a parasitic fungus, it fights the infection by producing a dark aromatic resin. The resulting dark heartwood has been traditionnally harvested in many countries (India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Guinea).

Today, populations of eaglewood are threatened in most of these countries, because of overharvesting and habitat loss.

SAMA purchases sustainable oudh essential oil from Laos. Plantations of eaglewood have been established there, and inoculation of the fungus allows for sustainable production of the precious resin.