Guaiac Wood
Guaiac wood- is an evergreen tree. It grows up to 13 meters high. The scientific name comes from the local name "guaiac", which translates to tree of life. Wood of special density (4 times denser than oak) is permeated with healing resin from up to 1/5 of the content. The wood is very durable. It is an excellent material for turning. The resin has long been used in local folk medicine especially against syphilis, but also against skin diseases, rheumatism and arthritis. Legend has it that the famous sculptor Benvenuto Cellini used guaiac tea to treat a venereal disease known at the time - a French evil that threatened to threaten his eyesight. And it is also mentioned in the work Love in the Age of Cholera by the cult writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, which describes a bath from this mystical tree. The resin is also used for smoking. Guaiac (Guaiac, Bulnesia sarmienti) is one of the most durable, hardiest in the world and is even called the iron tree. It is also known as Lignum Vitae – Tree of Life or Palo Santo.
Occurrence: This exotic tree with blue flowers comes to us from the rainforests of Argentina and Paraguay. It is characterized by a woody-leathery scent with tarry undertones. Guaiac essential oil was used in ancient times for the needs of the cosmetic and perfume industry as an unusual and multi-purpose perfume material. Guaiac oil is obtained by steam distillation and the aromatic raw material itself has a yellow-green colour. It is usually a soft, semi-solid substance that remains liquid for a long time after melting.
USE:
✅Because it is produced in large quantities around the world, guaiac is a reasonably cheap fixative and modifier and is an excellent addition to woody-floral perfumes. Nevertheless, it is also often used in high-quality perfumes.
✅It is perfect in combination with linalool, neroli, geraniol, oak moss and spices. The scent of this exotic wood gives a smoky, tarry note that is very popular in niche perfumes recently. Sometimes it has a rubbery undertone, while for some its smell reminds of the fragrant note of tobacco. This is why it is often used in perfume compositions of tobacco and leather, because with it, its fragrance perfectly harmonizes and sings in unity, and as a strong perfume material, it adds quality and strong character to the perfume.
✅It also creates an exciting blend with bergamot, jasmine, musk, clove, vanilla and amber. It is certain that guaiac wood gives every perfume a mysterious and mystical note.