Overview
Agarwood is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for parasites & worms. Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha, Fam. Thymelaeaceae) is Agarwood or Eagle-wood, one of the most prized aromatic woods. Found in Northeast India (Assam), Myanmar, and Southeast Asia. The fragrant resinous wood forms when the tree is infected by a specific fungus (Fungi Imperfecti — hence the name 'Krimija' meaning 'born of worms'). Healthy trees produce no fragrant wood. The infected resinous heartwood sinks in water, while uninfected wood floats. This is a key identification test. Agaru is hot in potency, aromatic, and used in heart diseases, cough, asthma, and Vata disorders. The oil is used in perfumery and incense. It is burned as dhoop (incense) in temples. Multiple grades exist — Krishna (black) Agaru is the best. Various types are described based on region of origin. The wood and oil command extremely high prices due to rarity. Book reference: Karpuradi Varga, shloka 22-23.
How Agarwood Helps with Parasites & Worms
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Agarwood has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing parasites & worms:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Tikshna (sharp)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Sharp (Tikshna)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Agarwood oil (0.5-2.1%), containing Sesquiterpenes (Agarospirol, Jinkohol), Chromone derivatives. The resinous wood is formed by fungal infection (Fungi Imperfecti).
- Also Known As
- English: Eagle-wood, Agarwood, Aloeswood
Sanskrit: अगरु, अगुरु, कृमिज, राजार्ह, लोह, प्रवर
Hindi: अगर, ऊद
What the Classical Texts Say
- 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
Other Herbs for Parasites & Worms
See all herbs for parasites & worms on the Parasites & Worms page.
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.