Eagle Wood: Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Precaution (Agar, Aquilaria Agallocha)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The word “Agaru” literally means the one which is the heaviest and no other aromatic wood is heavier than it. Eaglewood “The wood of God” has been used for multiple purposes throughout the world. Besides its commercial, historical, spiritual aromatic, medicinal, and social significance, it is considered a symbol of high status, wealth, and prosperity.

Due to its distinctive fragrance, Eaglewood is used abundantly for making incense sticks, perfumes, and soaps. In Middle Eastern countries, beads prepared from wood are used to keep oneself safe from evil spirits and to bring good luck.

Medicinal uses of Eaglewood have been recorded in many pieces of Indian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European literature. It is reported to be used as a folklore medicine in inflammatory diseases, skin diseases, headaches, arthritis, vomiting, and gout. In Chinese medicine, Eaglewood is used as a chi-regulating drug and carminative medicine to relieve gastric problems, coughs, rheumatism, and high fever.

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2. Common Names

• Family – Thymelaeaceae
• Hindi Name – Agar
• English Name – Eagle Wood

3. Vernacular Names

• Bengali – Agar chandan
• Kannada – Krishna Agaru
• Malayalam – Akil
• Tamil – Agalichandanam
• Telugu – Agaru
• Punjabi – Ooda

4. Synonyms

• Anaryaka – It grows abundantly in the forest region of the Northeast of India.
• Krimija – The plant is infested by fungus.
• Krimijagdh – The gum resin is produced by fungal infestation.
• Loha – The infested heartwood is heavy and black like iron.
• Rajarha – due to its valuable nature and great utility, it is used by royal families.
• Sheetshaman – It has cold-allaying property.
• Varnaprasadana – The heartwood is used to enhance the luster of the skin.
• Vishvadhupa – The aromatic wood is used for making incense and perfumes.

5. Classical Categorization

• Charaka Samhita – Sheetprasasmana
• Sushrut Samhita – Salasaradi, Eladi
• Ashtanga Hridya – Salasaradi, Eladi
• Dhanvantari Nighantu – Chandanadi varga
• Madanpal Nighantu – Kapuradi varga
• Kaiyadev Nighantu – Oshadi varga
• Raj Nighantu – Prabhadradi varga
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Kapuradi varga

6. Distribution

Eaglewood is a native plant of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Europe and Africa. In India, the plant is found growing naturally in evergreen forests of the Eastern Himalayas. It grows at an altitude of 700 to 1400 m. It is found in abundance in Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Bhutan, Khasi Hills etc. Eaglewood obtained from the Sylhet region is considered the best.

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7. Ayurvedic Properties

• Rasa (Taste): It has Katu, Tikta (bitter, astringent) taste.
• Virya (Potency): It is Ushna in nature (hot).
• Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): It is Katu (bitter) taste.
• Guna (Qualities) – Laghu, Ruskha.

8. Chemical Constituent

Eaglewood is rich in essential oil, resins, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. Its oil contains selinene, dihydroselinene, agarol, valerianol and tetradecanoic.

9. Types

• Dhanvantari – one type - Kaleyaka
• Raj Nighantu – five types – Krishna, Kasht, Daha, Mangalya and Agurusaar.
• Sodhala Nighantu – three types – Agaru, Kirshna and Kakatunda.

10. Identity, Purity, and Strength

• Foreign Matter – Not more than 1%
• Total Ash – Not more than 13%
• Acid-insoluble ash – Not more than 0.5%
• Alcohol-soluble extractive – Not less than 1%
• Water-soluble extractive – Not less than 2%

(Source: The Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India 2004)

11. Ayurvedic and Pharmacological Actions

Ayurvedic Actions

Charka attribute blood purifier, skin tonic, pitta aggravating, aromatic and relish.

• Doshakarma – Vata kapha shamaka, pita vardhaka.
• Dhatukarma – Rasayana, tvachya.
• Malakarma – Vataanulomaka.

Pharmacological Actions

 It has antinociceptive, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antioxidant, ulcer-protecting, hepatoprotective and thrombolytic properties.

12. Health Benefits

It is used in the treatment of ear and eye diseases, asthma, chronic ulcers, headache, carminative and appetizer in digestive ailments and it relieves itching, improves blood circulation, and gives relief in cough, bronchitis, toothache, and colic pain.

13. Therapeutic Uses

Asthma and Hic-Cough – Eaglewood powder mixed with honey twice a day, gives relief.

Cough – Take 1-3 grams of Eaglewood powder with honey to give relief from the cough.

Rejuvenators – Daily intake of Eaglewood powder with milk gives relief.

14. Official Part Used

Heartwood and oil.

15. General Doses

• Powder – 1 to 3g.
• Oil – 1 to 5 drops.

16. Formulations

Agaruvadi taila, Chandan Agaru kwath, anu taila, Chandanadi taila, Guduchyadi taila. Khadiradi gutika.

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17. Precautions

Eaglewood has no side effects if it is used in suggested dosages, its oils being pita aggravating in nature can cause redness and irritation on local application, while inhalation of excessive fumes or oral intake may result in nausea, dizziness, and burning sensations.