Agarwood vs. Sandalwood vs. Arcyptera (Yabai): The Three Confused Woods
Markets pair agarwood, sandalwood and yabai (Thuja) as "precious incense woods", but they differ in kind: agarwood is the resinous product of a wounded Aquilaria tree; sandalwood is the oil-bearing heartwood of a Santalum tree; yabai is old Thuja material prized for grain and a clean scent. The basics are in 沉香百科.
Scent and use compared
Agarwood has rich, layered aroma — the lead in incense rites; sandalwood is sweet and single-noted, used as stick base or carving; yabai is cool woody, made into furniture, handhelds and powder. They don't substitute; buy by material, not the "incense wood" label — see 中华香学·制香工艺.
Why they get mixed up
All carry "incense" and a high price, and sellers often pass yabai or sandalwood off as agarwood. The key is still scent and testing: agarwood has a cooling-sweet resin note, sandalwood is milky-sweet, yabai is clean bitter-woody. More in 鉴定支柱页.
(This is industry observation and popular-science summary, not investment advice. Buy agarwood through legal channels with traceable, testable sources.)
Compiled for general knowledge; traditional references are cultural notes, not medical advice.
常见问题
Agarwood vs. Sandalwood vs. Arcyptera (Yabai)是什么？
Agarwood, sandalwood and yabai are often called the "three precious incense woods", yet their cause, scent and use differ sharply. A comparison table clears it up.
沉香怎么选购？
选购沉香应认准可溯源、可检测的渠道，按用途选择形态（线香 / 手串 / 原料），不盲目追高、不轻信「野生」「沉水」等夸大宣传。
沉香如何保养？
沉香怕潮、怕串味、怕暴晒，应密封、避光、阴凉存放，不同产区分开保存；长期不用的香材定期通风检查，防霉防虫。
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