AGARU (Aquilaria agallocha)
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Common Names: Agar, Eagle’s Wood, Agarwood, Aloewood
Introduction
The word “Agaru” literally means “the heaviest,” as no other aromatic wood surpasses it in weight. Known as the “Wood of God,” it has been used for thousands of years across the world for multiple purposes. Beyond its commercial and aromatic value, it holds historical, spiritual, medicinal, and cultural significance, often symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and high status.
Historical References:
Mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, Chinese, Tibetan, European, and East Asian literature.
- In the Mahabharata, Agaru is cited as a welcome offering.
- In the Holy Bible, it was used with myrrh in the anointing of Jesus Christ.
- In Buddhism, it was included in the cremation of Buddha.
- In Islamic traditions, Agaru is used in incense rituals and noted as a fragrance preferred by Prophet Muhammad.
Uses:
- Incense, perfumes, soaps
- Sculptures and carvings
- Protective beads in Middle Eastern countries
- Folk medicine for inflammation, skin diseases, headache, arthritis, vomiting, gout
Medicinal Applications:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine: Used for regulating Chi, relieving gastric issues, cough, rheumatism, asthma, and fever.
- Ayurveda: Described as Ushna Virya with Tikta Rasa; applied with Rasna to counter cold effects.
Due to high demand and slow growth, Agaru is now considered a critically endangered species.
Vernacular Names
Language Name(s)
- Arabic Oud, Oodh, Shajarat-al-Oudh
- Assamese Sasi, Shashi, Agaru
- Bengali Agar Chandan, Agarkastha
- Chinese Chenxiang
- Hong Kong Aloewood
- Indonesia Gaharu
- Japanese Jinko
- Kannada Krishna Agaru
- Malayalam Akil
- Punjabi Ooda
- Tamil Agali Chandanam
- Telugu Agaru
- Thailand Mai Kritsana
Synonyms & Classical Names
- Anaryaka: Grows abundantly in Northeast India
- Krimija: Infested by fungus
- Krimijagdh: Resin produced by fungal infestation
- Loha: Infested heartwood is heavy, black like iron
- Pravar: Best among its class
- Rajarha: Used by royal families
- Sheetsman: Cold-allaying property
- Shringaj: Grows in hilly regions
- Vanshika: Gregarious like bamboo; nauseating smell
- Varnaprasadana: Enhances skin luster
- Vishvadhupa: Used in incense and perfumes
- Yogaj: Resinous wood produced via fungal association
Classical Categorization:
- Charak Samhita: Sheetprasamana, Shwasahara, Tikta Skanda
- Sushrut Samhita: Salasaradi, Eladi, Shleshma Samsam
- Ashtang Hridaya: Salasaradi, Eladi
- Dhanvantari Nighantu: Chandanadi Varga
- Madanpal Nighantu: Karpuradi Varga
- Kaiyadev Nighantu: Oushadi Varga
- Raj Nighantu: Prabhadradi Varga
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu: Karpuradi Varga
Distribution
Native Regions: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Europe, Africa
In India: Eastern Himalayas, 700–1400 m altitude
States: Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Bhutan (Khasi Hills)
Best quality Agaru is from Sylhet region
Morphology
Tree: Large evergreen, 70–80 ft height, 4–5 ft girth, straight and fluted stem
Leaves: Simple, alternate, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate-oblong, 8–10 cm long, 2–3 cm broad, short petioled, glossy, entire margin
Flowers: Greenish-yellow, small, on short peduncle, in umbels on young branches
Fruits: Capsule, obovoid, slightly compressed, yellowish, tomentose
Seeds: Brownish-black, ovoid with a long tail
Heartwood & Resin Formation
Initially, heartwood is light, pale, and odorless.
Infection by fungi (Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium) produces dark, aromatic resin.
The resin-embedded wood is called Agarwood.
Infection is common on the trunk, roots, and branch intersections, beginning around 20 years of age.
Oil Extraction: Approx. 30 ml from 100 kg of infected wood, known as Oud oil.
Propagation
Primarily propagated via seeds.
