Agaru
Agaru
Agaru is an evergreen plant which is also known as ‘Oud’ and commonly as Aloe wood or Agarwood. It is a precious fragrant wood which is used to make incense as well as in the perfume industry. It has a pungent odor and is bitter in taste.
Agaru helps manage joint pain as well as rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the pain and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory property. According to Ayurveda, massaging joints with Agaru oil regularly can help you to get rid of joint pain due to its Vata balancing property. Taking Agaru powder along with honey might help to remove excess mucus from the respiratory tract and manage bronchitis due to its Ushna (hot) potency and Kapha balancing properties.
Agaru might also protect the liver against damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant property and can reduce inflammation in the liver due to its anti-inflammatory property.
Agaru oil along with coconut oil can also be applied on the skin to manage skin conditions like eczema due to its Ropan (healing) property[2][3].
Agaru helps manage joint pain as well as rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the pain and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory property. According to Ayurveda, massaging joints with Agaru oil regularly can help you to get rid of joint pain due to its Vata balancing property. Taking Agaru powder along with honey might help to remove excess mucus from the respiratory tract and manage bronchitis due to its Ushna (hot) potency and Kapha balancing properties.
Agaru might also protect the liver against damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant property and can reduce inflammation in the liver due to its anti-inflammatory property.
Agaru oil along with coconut oil can also be applied on the skin to manage skin conditions like eczema due to its Ropan (healing) property[2][3].
What are the synonyms of Agaru?
Aquilaria agallocha, Lauha, Krmija, Agarkashtha, Agar Chandan, Eagle Wood, Agar, Krishna Agaru, Akil, Ooda, Pharsi, Akil kattai, Ood[1].
What is the source of Agaru?
Plant Based
Benefits of Agaru
1. Cough and Cold
Agaru is an effective herb for managing cough and cold. Agaru controls cough, releases mucus, clears air passages, thus allowing the patient to breathe freely. This is due to its Kapha balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Agaru powder.
b. Mix it with honey and have it after lunch and dinner.
c. Repeat daily till you do not get relief from the symptoms of cough and cold.
2. Bronchitis
Agaru is good if you have cough related problems like bronchitis. In Ayurveda, this disease is known as Kasroga and is caused by poor digestion. Poor diet and incomplete elimination of wastes lead to the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the form of mucus in the lungs. This leads to bronchitis. Taking Agaru helps digest Ama and removes excess mucus from the lungs. This is due to its Ushna (hot) potency and Kapha balancing properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Agaru powder.
b. Mix it with honey and have it after lunch and dinner.
c. Repeat daily till you do not get relief from the symptoms of bronchitis.
3. Loss of appetite
Agaru helps to improve appetite as well as the overall digestive system. In Ayurveda, loss of appetite is due to Agnimandya (weak digestion). It is caused by an aggravation of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas leading to incomplete digestion of food. This causes insufficient secretion of gastric juice in the stomach resulting in a loss of appetite. Agaru stimulates digestion and improves appetite. This is due to its Ushna (hot) property that helps to improves Agni (digestive fire).
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Agaru powder.
b. Mix it with lukewarm water and have it after lunch and dinner to improve appetite.
Agaru is an effective herb for managing cough and cold. Agaru controls cough, releases mucus, clears air passages, thus allowing the patient to breathe freely. This is due to its Kapha balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Agaru powder.
b. Mix it with honey and have it after lunch and dinner.
c. Repeat daily till you do not get relief from the symptoms of cough and cold.
2. Bronchitis
Agaru is good if you have cough related problems like bronchitis. In Ayurveda, this disease is known as Kasroga and is caused by poor digestion. Poor diet and incomplete elimination of wastes lead to the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the form of mucus in the lungs. This leads to bronchitis. Taking Agaru helps digest Ama and removes excess mucus from the lungs. This is due to its Ushna (hot) potency and Kapha balancing properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Agaru powder.
b. Mix it with honey and have it after lunch and dinner.
c. Repeat daily till you do not get relief from the symptoms of bronchitis.
3. Loss of appetite
Agaru helps to improve appetite as well as the overall digestive system. In Ayurveda, loss of appetite is due to Agnimandya (weak digestion). It is caused by an aggravation of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas leading to incomplete digestion of food. This causes insufficient secretion of gastric juice in the stomach resulting in a loss of appetite. Agaru stimulates digestion and improves appetite. This is due to its Ushna (hot) property that helps to improves Agni (digestive fire).
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Agaru powder.
b. Mix it with lukewarm water and have it after lunch and dinner to improve appetite.
Precautions when using Agaru
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Agaru during breastfeeding. So it is advisable to avoid Agaru or use only under medical supervision during breastfeeding.
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Agaru if you are on any anti-diabetic drugs. So it is advisable to avoid Agaru or use only under medical supervision in such a case.
Patients with heart disease
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Agaru if you are on any anti-hypertensive drugs. So it is advisable to avoid Agaru or use only under medical supervision in such a case.
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Agaru during pregnancy. So it is advisable to avoid Agaru or use only under medical supervision during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Agaru
- Agaru Powder - ¼ - ½ teaspoon once or twice a day.
How to use Agaru
1. Agaru Powder
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon Agaru Powder.
b. Add honey to it or take it with lukewarm water twice a day.
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon Agaru Powder.
b. Add honey to it or take it with lukewarm water twice a day.
Benefits of Agaru
FAQs about Agaru benefits
1. Joint Pain
Agaru or its oil helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying a paste of Agaru powder or a massage with Agaru oil helps to reduce joint pain. This is due to its Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take 2 -5 drops of Agaru oil.
b. Add 1-2 teaspoon Coconut oil to it.
c. Gently massage on the affected area.
d. Use this remedy once a day to manage joint pain.
2. Skin disease
Agaru oil helps to control the symptoms of skin disease like eczema when applied on the affected area. Some of the symptoms of eczema are rough skin, blisters, inflammation, itchiness, and bleeding. Applying Agaru oil reduces inflammation and helps to stop bleeding. This is because of its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 2 -5 drops of Agaru oil.
b. Add 1-2 teaspoon Coconut oil to it.
c. Gently massage on the affected area.
d. Use this remedy once a day to control skin disease.
3. Sensitivity to cold
Sensitivity to cold is a common symptom of many diseases like a thyroid problem. If you feel cold while taking any oral medication, Agaru can help manage it when applied externally. Agaru is known for its heating effect. It is called Sheet Prashamnan which means destroyer of cold. A paste of Agaru powder or its oil, when applied to the body, helps to reduce the sensitivity to cold.
Tips:
a. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Agaru powder or as per your requirement.
b. Add water and make a paste.
c. Apply to the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1-2 hours or till it dries.
e. Wash it with plain water to get relief from the sensitivity of cold.
Agaru or its oil helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying a paste of Agaru powder or a massage with Agaru oil helps to reduce joint pain. This is due to its Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take 2 -5 drops of Agaru oil.
b. Add 1-2 teaspoon Coconut oil to it.
c. Gently massage on the affected area.
d. Use this remedy once a day to manage joint pain.
2. Skin disease
Agaru oil helps to control the symptoms of skin disease like eczema when applied on the affected area. Some of the symptoms of eczema are rough skin, blisters, inflammation, itchiness, and bleeding. Applying Agaru oil reduces inflammation and helps to stop bleeding. This is because of its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 2 -5 drops of Agaru oil.
b. Add 1-2 teaspoon Coconut oil to it.
c. Gently massage on the affected area.
d. Use this remedy once a day to control skin disease.
3. Sensitivity to cold
Sensitivity to cold is a common symptom of many diseases like a thyroid problem. If you feel cold while taking any oral medication, Agaru can help manage it when applied externally. Agaru is known for its heating effect. It is called Sheet Prashamnan which means destroyer of cold. A paste of Agaru powder or its oil, when applied to the body, helps to reduce the sensitivity to cold.
Tips:
a. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Agaru powder or as per your requirement.
b. Add water and make a paste.
c. Apply to the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1-2 hours or till it dries.
e. Wash it with plain water to get relief from the sensitivity of cold.
Precautions when using Agaru
Advice from Experts
Important
Ayurvedic View
Always apply Agaru oil after diluting with coconut oil or olive oil because of its Ushna (hot) nature.
Recommended Dosage of Agaru
- Agaru Powder - ½ -1 teaspoon of Agaru or as per your requirement.
- Agaru Oil - 2-5 drops of Agaru or as per your requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Ayurvedic View
Agaru helps to improve the digestive fire and maintain a healthy digestive system. But if you have an aggravated Pitta or hyperacidity, it is advisable to avoid or use in small quantity. This is because of its Ushna (hot) property.
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available to support the role of Agaru in enhancing sexual power; however, it might improve sexual desire due to aphrodisiac property[7].
Modern Science View
Yes, Agaru might help reduce swelling as it has anti-inflammatory property. It inhibits the mediators(cytokines) responsible for inflammation thereby managing inflammation and swelling[3].
Modern Science View
Yes, Agaru might help manage fever as it has antipyretic property due to which it helps to lower the temperature. Agauru oil can be used internally or applied on the body to manage fever[7].
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Has-Yun Hashim YZ, Kerr PG, Abbas P, et al. Aquilaria spp. (agarwood) as source of health beneficial compounds: A review of traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology.Journal of Ethnopharmacology.2016;189:331-360.
- Wang S, Yu Z, Wang C, et al.Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activity of Agarwood and Aquilaria Plants.Molecules.2018:23(342):1-21.
- Alam, Janey et al. Hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Aquilaria agallocha leaves against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in SD rats. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine.2016:7(1); 9-13.
- Rahman H , Eswaraiah M C , Dutta A M.Anti-arthritic activity of leaves and oil of Aquilaria agallocha.Haya: Saudi J Life Sci.2016:1(1);34-43.
- Pranakhon R, Pannangpetch P, Aromdee C.Antihyperglycemic activity of agarwood leaf extracts in STZ-induced diabetic rats and glucose uptake enhancement activity in rat adipocytes. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol.2011:33(4);405-410.
- Alam J, Mujahid M, Badruddeen, et al. An insight of pharmacognostic study and phytopharmacology of Aquilaria agallocha.Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 5 (08); 2015: 173-181.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.