A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
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Sanskrit Name: अगुरु (Aguru), विल्व (Vilva), राजार्ह (Rajarha - worthy of a king)
Botanical Name: Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. (Primary species), Aquilaria malaccensis
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Part Used: Heartwood (infected/resinous wood) - जात (Jāta) Aguru is the prized, resin-infused wood.
Classical Categorization: It is part of the Elādi and Vachādi groups of herbs.
A. Rasa (Taste)
Tikta (Bitter)
Katu (Pungent)
B. Guna (Qualities)
Laghu (Light to digest)
Tīkṣṇa (Sharp, penetrating)
Sūkṣma (Subtle)
C. Vīrya (Potency)
Uṣṇa (Heating) - This is its most important property. Its heating potency is what allows it to deeply penetrate tissues and melt away Kapha and Ama (toxins).
D. Vipāka (Post-Digestive Effect)
Katu (Pungent)
E. Prabhāva (Unique/Specific Effect)
While not always explicitly stated, its Prabhāva is considered its powerful ability to cleanse the mind and subtle energy channels (Srotas), acting as a potent Medhya (nervine tonic) and Anjana (beneficial for the eyes).
F. Doṣa Karma (Action on Humors)
Kapha-Vāta Śamaka (पित्तवातशामक): Primarily pacifies Kapha and Vāta Doṣa.
Due to its Ushna Virya, it can aggravate Pitta in excess.
Here are some key verses from classical texts describing the properties of Aguru.
Reference 1: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu - Haritakyadi Varga (Verse 18-19)
अगुरु लघु तिक्तोष्णं कटुपाकि च दाहि च।
कफवातहरं ग्राहि दीपनं कुष्ठनाशनम्॥
रूक्षं पित्तकरं स्निग्धं स्वादु पाके हिमं सरम्।
विपरीतगुणं त्वन्यत् तज्जं मलजमागुरु॥
Translation:
"Aguru is light (Laghu), bitter (Tikta), and hot in potency (Ushna). It has a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka) and is burning (Dahi) in nature. It pacifies Kapha and Vata (Kaphavataharam), is absorbent (Graham), kindles the digestive fire (Deepanam), and destroys skin diseases (Kushthanishanam). It is dry (Ruksha) and aggravates Pitta (Pittakaram)."
"The other type (which is not resin-infused) is unctuous (Snigdham), sweet (Swadu), cold in potency (Hima), and laxative (Saram). Thus, the Jata (resin-infused) Aguru has opposite qualities to the non-resinous wood."
Reference 2: Raja Nighantu (Pippalyadi Varga)
अगुरु व्यक्तितिक्तोष्णं कटुपाकं सरं लघु।
वातश्लेष्महरं रुच्यं दीपनं केश्यमेव च॥
नेत्र्यं पिच्छिलमुष्णं च कफवातविबन्धनुत्।
Translation:
"Aguru has a distinctly bitter taste (Vyaktitiktosham), is pungent in post-digestive effect (Katu Pakam), laxative (Saram), and light (Lagu). It destroys Vata and Kapha (Vatashleshmaharam), improves taste (Ruchyam), kindles digestive fire (Deepanam), is good for hair (Keshyam), beneficial for the eyes (Netryam), slightly slimy (Pichchhilam), hot (Ushnam), and breaks the obstruction caused by Kapha and Vata (Kaphavatabandhanut)."
A. Therapeutic Actions (Karma):
Dīpana: Enkindles digestive fire.
Pāchana: Digests Ama (toxins).
Śvāsa-Kāsa Hara: Beneficial in asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough (Kapha conditions).
Vāta Anulomana: Facilitates the downward movement of Vata, relieving gas and bloating.
Medhya: Acts as a nervine tonic, calming the mind.
Vṛṣya: Aphrodisiac.
Vedanāsthāpana: Analgesic (pain-relieving).
Srotoshodhana: Cleanses the channels of the body.
B. Common Uses (Prayogarha):
Respiratory Disorders: Used in formulations for asthma, chronic cough, and bronchitis. Its Tikshna (sharp) and Ushna (hot) properties help to liquefy and expel sticky Kapha.
Digestive Issues: Used for loss of appetite, indigestion, and abdominal pain due to its Deepana and Pachana actions.
Neurological & Psychological Conditions: Highly valued for its calming effect on the mind. Used in conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and as a general Medhya Rasayana (brain rejuvenator).
Pain Management: Its Vata pacifying and analgesic properties make it useful in rheumatic and neurological pains (e.g., sciatica, arthritis).
Fragrance Therapy: The incense (धूप - Dhupa) of Aguru is used in Ayurveda for environmental purification and to create a sattvic, meditative atmosphere. It is believed to clear negative energies and calm the mind.
Cardiac Tonic: Some texts mention its use in supporting heart health.
External Applications: Paste or oil is applied locally for skin diseases and to relieve pain.
Aguru is rarely used alone due to its potency and cost. It is a key ingredient in many classical formulations:
Aguru Tailam: An oil used for external application in Vata disorders.
Saraswatarishtam: A fermentative tonic where Aguru is one of the ingredients, used for neurological strength.
Bruhat Vata Chintamani Rasa: A famous herbo-mineral formulation used for neurological disorders.
Chandraprabha Vati: A well-known tablet used for genito-urinary disorders.
Various Dhūpana (incense) preparations.
Contraindications: Due to its Ushna Virya, it is contraindicated in pure Pitta conditions, such as bleeding disorders, hyperacidity, inflammatory conditions, and during pregnancy.
Dosage: Typically used in very small quantities.
Powder (Churna): 1-3 grams per day, divided doses.
Decoction (Kwatha): 50-100 ml, divided doses.
Note: This information is for educational purposes only