Overview
Agarwood is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for parasites and worms. Agarwood is Krimija, the resinous heartwood born of fungal infection. Hot, bitter, and pungent, it calms Vata-Kapha, eases Hridroga, asthma, and stubborn skin disease.
How Agarwood Helps with Parasites and Worms
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Agarwood has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing parasites and worms:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Tikshna (sharp)
Safety & Precautions
Agarwood is a long-used aromatic medicine, but its hot potency (Ushna virya) and sharp quality (Tikshna guna) mean it does not suit everyone. Our source data lists no formal classical contraindications, so the cautions below follow from its properties and from how it is used in practice.
Who should avoid it
- Pitta-type heat: burning sensations, inflammation, red or raw skin, and Pitta-driven high blood pressure can be aggravated by its heat. For Pitta patterns, cooling herbs are the better choice.
- Pregnancy: avoid it.
- Acute fever: avoid internal use.
- Broken or bleeding skin: do not apply topical paste to raw, cracked, or bleeding areas.
Medications
There is no specific drug-interaction data for Agaru with modern medicines. Treat that gap as a reason for caution. If you take heart medications, blood thinners, or blood pressure drugs, speak to your doctor before adding it.
Quality risk
The most common practical problem is adulteration. Low-priced "agarwood" is often uninfected wood or a different material altogether, so buy only from suppliers who state the species and the part used.
Other Herbs for Parasites and Worms
See all herbs for parasites and worms on the Parasites and Worms page.
▶ Classical Text References (1 sources)
- Hridroga (heart diseases)
- Kasa (cough)
- Shwasa (asthma)
- Vamana (vomiting)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
- Vataroga (diseases of Vata)
- Krimi (worms — ironically, the resin forms due to fungal infection)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.