Sinking incense, also known as agarwood or white wood incense, is a resinous heartwood of the evergreen tree in the Thymelaeaceae family. It is also known as "sinking incense" because it sinks in water and its fragrance can travel for miles. The tree trunk and fruit can both be used in medicine. It has a warm nature, bitter and pungent taste, and is a good medicine for reducing qi, dispelling cold, promoting digestion, relieving pain, and calming the mind. It is mainly used to treat rheumatism, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The best quality sinking incense is characterized by its dark black color, heaviness, and strong fragrance. However, there are counterfeit sinking incense products on the market, so careful identification is necessary when purchasing.
Genuine product
1. Irregular shape or small pieces, ranging from light brownish-gray to dark brownish-black.
2. The surface has processed carvings, appearing uneven and resembling decayed wood. When broken, numerous brownish resinous cells can be seen.
3. When placed in water, it sinks halfway and floats halfway. When burned, it emits a strong fragrance, thick smoke, and oily residue.
4. Imported sinking incense generally sinks quickly in water, has rich oil content, and produces a very strong fragrance and thick smoke when burned.
Counterfeit product
1. The appearance of counterfeit sinking incense is characterized by its light texture, less black oily patterns, lighter color, and some pieces may consist almost entirely of white wood incense. The fragrance is very faint or even non-existent.
2. Counterfeit sinking incense does not contain the resinous white wood part, and the decayed wood part (dark gray-brown) accounts for a larger proportion.
3. When burned, counterfeit sinking incense produces no smoke or only a faint blue smoke, with a fragrance that is faint and mixed with impurities, and contains less oily components.
