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AGARU


WHAT IS AGARU

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Agaru is Aquilaria agallocha which belongs to the Thymelaeaceae family. It is also called Agarwood, Aloeswood, Eaglewood. It is widely used to treat ear, nose, throat, asthma, and cough


What are the other names of AGARU in various languages

English – Eagle Wood

Tamil – Agil, Poozhil

Sanskrit – Agaru

Hindi – Agar

Telugu – Agaru

Gujarathi – Agar

Bengali – Agaru

Malayalam – Akil


ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF AGARU

Agaru is originated from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Europe, and Africa. In India, it usually grows in the forests of the Eastern Himalayas which grow up to an altitude of 700 to 1400m. It is also found in Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikim, Manipur, Bhutan, and Khasi hills.

It is an evergreen tree that grows up to a height of 70-80 ft and 4-5 ft in girth. In earlier stages, the woods are soft, light, elastic, whitish-yellow and it does not contain any smell. The leaves are simple, alternate and 8-10 cm long and 2-3 cm in broad. The flowers are greenish-yellow in color and the fruits look like a capsule. The flowering season starts in May to June. The fruiting season starts in July to August.

Part used: wood, Resin

Taste: Bitter, Pungent

Potency: Hot


CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN AGARU

On chemical compound analysis of Agaru, it includes

Agarospiral, Aquillochin, Holocellulose, Lignan, Pentosans, Essentail oils, Agarol, a and b Agarofurans, Nor-keto-agarofurans, Jinkohol, Jinkoheremol, Dihydrokaranone, Kusunol, Agarotetrol

Action:

  • Stimulant
  • Cholagogue
  • Deobstruent
  • Antiasthmatic
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Analgesic
  • Carminative
  • Demulcent
  • Antimicrobial
  • Aromatic
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Depurative
  • Digestive
  • Rejuvenating
  • Nervine
  • Sedative
  • Cardiac Stimulant
  • Anti-atherogenic
  • Antihyperlipidemic
  • Anti-thrombotic
  • Tonic
  • Nervine tonic
  • Anti-diarrheal

  • Anti-dysentery


TRADITIONAL AND MODERN VIEW OF AGARU

It is used to treat spasms and fever

In China, the agaru act as a sedative for abdominal problems, asthma, colic, and diarrhea

It also has aphrodisiac and carminative

In Chinese and Indian medicine, agarwood is effective against cancer

Grated agaru used to treat rheumatism, smallpox, and abdominal pain

Decoction obtained from the agarwood have an anti-microbial effect which is effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Shigella flexneri

Agarwood act as a countering affliction after and before childbirth

It prevents the Dysentery and Diarrhea


DOSAGE OF AGARU

The dose of the drug used according to the physician

Powder: 3-5g

Oil: 1-5 drops


PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING AGARU

  • The use of agaru may lower blood pressure. So, monitoring of blood pressure is required in patients who are taking the anti-hypertensive drug

  • The use of agaru may lower blood sugar level. So, monitoring of blood sugar level is required in patients who are taking the anti-diabetic drug


CONTRAINDICATIONS WHEN USING AGARU

It is considered unsafe to use this herb while you are pregnant and breastfeeding


BENEFITS OF AGARU

Cough and cold:

According to Ayurveda, cough and cold occur due to the imbalance of Kapha. The use of agaru treat cough by balancing Kapha and also by releasing the mucus which clears the respiratory passages and helps to breathe easily.

Take the required amount of agaru powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Mix it with honey and consume it after your meals

Bronchitis:

According to Ayurveda, bronchitis is called kasroga which occurs due to poor digestion. This poor digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body in the form of mucus in the respiratory tract. Consuming Agaru reduces the accumulation of toxins by its hot potency and by balancing Kapha properties which help to remove the mucus in the respiratory tract

Take the required amount of agaru powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Mix it with honey and consume it after your meals

Loss of appetite:

According to Ayurveda, loss of appetite occurs due to the imbalance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas, and Agnimandya which leads to improper digestion and causes decreased secretion of gastric juice in the stomach and results in loss of appetite. The use of agaru improve the appetite by stimulating the digestion by its hot potency and by balancing the tridosha

Take the required amount of agaru powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Mix it with lukewarm water and consume it after your meals

Asthma:

According to the Ayurveda, asthma occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas in the lungs which results in obstruction in the passages in the respiratory. The use of Agaru treats asthma by balancing the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas this helps to reduce the blockage in the respiratory passage by removing the excess mucus in the lungs

Diarrhea:

 According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins. Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. Agaru control diarrhea by its Grahi (absorbent) and Kashaya (astringent) activity

Joint pain:

According to Ayurveda, joints and bones come under the Vata site in your body, imbalance in Vata doshas may lead to joint pain. By applying the agaru paste on an affected area helps to treat joint pain

Take the required amount of agaru oil and mix it with coconut oil. Apply this oil on an affected area to get rid of joint pain

Skin disease:

By applying the agaru oil it helps to control the symptoms of skin diseases like skin blisters, inflammation, itching, and bleeding by its healing effect

Take the required amount of agaru oil and mix it with coconut oil. Apply this oil on an affected area to cure skin disease

Sensitivity to cold:

It is also called Sheet Prashamnan (cold destroyer). Applying the paste of agaru powder helps to reduce the sensitivity to cold.

Take the required amount of agaru powder and make a paste by adding water. Applying the paste to an affected area for 1-2 hours and then wash it with water


HOW CAN YOU ADD AGARU IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

Agaru powder:

Take the required amount of agaru powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Mix it with lukewarm water and consume it after your meal


SIDE EFFECTS OF AGARU

  • Feeling of excess heat in the body

  • Hyperacidity


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON AGARU

  • Does agaru smell good?

Agaru as it is famous for its smell and medicinal properties, its fuming does wonders as medicinal uses

  • Does agaru reduce Sinusitis?

Agaru when it is used as a thylam( oil applied before taking a head bath), can give good results for Sinusitis, and migraines

  • Is that an aphrodisiac?

It's not an aphrodisiac, yet been added to the aphrodisiac drugs due to its fragrance.