Desert Rosewood (Buddha Wood; Central Highlands, Australia)

Desert Rosewood (Buddha Wood; Central Highlands, Australia) is a rich, smoky-woody note in perfumery, known for its deep, resinous warmth and earthy mystique. Distilled from the heartwood of Eremophila mitchellii—a drought-resistant shrub native to the arid Central Highlands of Australia—this essential oil yields an intensely aromatic profile: leathery, smoky, slightly balsamic, with nuances of dry wood, tobacco, and soft incense. Sometimes called “Australian Desert Rosewood” or “Buddha Wood,” it serves as a grounding base note that adds depth, character, and a sense of quiet contemplation to woody, amber, and oriental compositions.

History & Production: Long used by Indigenous Australians for its calming and antimicrobial properties, Buddha Wood is steam-distilled from the dark, dense heartwood of the tree. Its naturally high levels of eremophilone and related sesquiterpenes give the oil its signature smoky-sweet aroma and its fixative strength in perfumery. Compared to sandalwood or vetiver, Desert Rosewood is darker, drier, and more introspective—perfect for evoking vast desert landscapes, sun-scorched wood, and spiritual stillness. It blends beautifully with resinous notes like labdanum, incense, or myrrh, and adds a distinctive Australian soul to modern woody and meditative fragrance creations.