Siam Wood.

Imagine a forest just as the summer heat sets in, the humid air pressing every scent down to the forest floor, where elegant woods and sweet resins anchor the passing greens and flowers. That is how a friend of ours describes Siam Wood, and it is hard to improve on.

Siam Wood is Fokienia hodginsii, organically produced in Vietnam and steam-distilled from the wood and roots of trees that resemble cedars but belong to a different family; they must reach about 100 feet before harvest. Rich in sesquiterpenols, the oil is sweet, gentle and almost powdery. Burfield describes a fruity, pineapple top note and a powerful, woody drydown with a mandarin aspect. In the bottle it shifts from a rosy red to an almost clear yellow, depending on how much you pour.

The wood has traditionally been used for jewelry boxes and caskets, partly because it deters insects and partly because, in Vietnamese belief, Siam Wood brings eternal life. It is often suggested in place of sandalwood, though its aroma is its own.

Details

• Botanical name: Fokienia hodginsii (Dunn), syn. Cupressus hodginsii Dunn
• Origin: Vietnam, organically produced
• Method: steam distillation of the wood and roots
• Shelf life: about 4 to 6 years after opening

How to use

Diffuse it, or for an end-of-day bath, blend it with Lavender and disperse it in a little heavy cream before adding it to the water. No known hazards; dilute it before it touches skin.

A grounding hug for the heart, as our friend put it.