Agarwood and agarwood, although there is only one word difference in the name, there are significant differences in botanical properties, medicinal value and market value. This article will make a detailed comparison of agarwood and agarwood from multiple perspectives to help readers better understand and distinguish between the two.
1. Differences in botanical properties.
Agarwood: Agarwood is an evergreen tree of the genus Agarwood in the family Ruixiangaceae, mainly distributed in Southeast Asia. The resin of agarwood is loved by people because of its unique aroma and is widely used in the fields of spices, medicine and handicrafts.
Agarwood: Agarwood is the heartwood part of the agarwood tree, that is, the woody part of the tree that does not contain living cells. It gradually accumulates oil and aromatic substances during the growth of the tree, forming a unique aroma. But not all the heartwood of the agarwood tree can become agarwood, and only those with a certain percentage of oil content can be called agarwood.
2. The difference in medicinal value.
Agarwood: In the field of traditional Chinese medicine, agarwood has the effects of relieving pain, relieving vomiting in warmth, and relieving asthma. It is often used for chest and abdominal distension and pain, stomach cold, vomiting, hiccups, kidney deficiency, qi reversal, shortness of breath and other diseases. At the same time, the aroma of agarwood can soothe the nerves, and it also has a certain auxiliary effect on insomnia, anxiety and other symptoms.
Agarwood: Agarwood also has certain medicinal value, but its medicinal effect is weaker than that of agarwood. It is mainly used for rheumatism, cold pain and other symptoms. In the folk, people also commonly use agarwood to soak in water to drink, in order to clear heat and detoxify, refresh the mind.
3. The difference in market value.
Agarwood: Due to its rarity and unique aroma, agarwood has a high value in the market. High-quality agarwood is even comparable to it, and as time goes on, it's still climbing. As a result, agarwood has become a sought after object among collectors.
Agarwood: The market value of agarwood is much lower than that of agarwood. Although it also has some aromatic and medicinal properties, it is relatively low due to its low oil content and relative commonness. In the market, agarwood is mainly used to make practical items such as furniture and handicrafts.
Fourth, the difference in identification methods.
Agarwood: Identifying the authenticity of agarwood is mainly by observing its appearance, texture, aroma and other aspects. The surface of real agarwood is mostly gray-brown or dark brown, the texture is hard and oily, and the aroma is rich and long-lasting. In addition, it can also be identified by the combustion test, and the real agarwood burns with less smoke and aroma.
Agarwood: The method of identifying agarwood is similar to that of agarwood, but it is important to note that due to the lower oil content of agarwood, its aroma is relatively weak and the texture is softer. Therefore, special attention should be paid to distinguishing the difference between it and ordinary wood when identifying.
In conclusion, although agarwood and agarwood are similar in name, there are significant differences in botanical properties, medicinal value and market value. Understanding these differences not only helps us better recognize and utilize both resources, but also avoids confusion and misunderstandings in the purchase and use process.