Character
The Story of Aglaia
Aglae odorata oil captures the crisp, green aroma of tropical blossoms, distilled from the tiny seeds of the Aglaia tree that thrives in the monsoon‑rich forests of India and Southeast Asia.
Heritage
Aglaia odorata has been prized in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries, where healers used the seed oil to soothe skin irritations and as a fragrant offering in temples. Records from the Tang dynasty (618‑907 CE) describe monks burning dried Aglaia blossoms to scent meditation halls. By the 16th century, traders carried the oil along the maritime Silk Road to the Middle East, where it appeared in early Arabic perfume formulas. In the 19th century, European naturalists documented the tree during botanical expeditions in Java, noting its distinct green aroma. Modern natural perfumery revived Aglaia oil in the 1990s as a sustainable alternative to synthetic green notes, positioning it as a bridge between ancient ritual and contemporary scent design.
At a Glance
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Feature this note
India
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Steam distillation
Seeds
Did You Know
"The Aglaia tree produces a single‑seed fruit that weighs less than a gram, yet yields enough essential oil to scent an entire batch of natural perfume."