Agarwood the wood of Gods
Agarwood,"the wood of Gods, Liquid Gold", a goldmine for start-ups in Botany and Ayurveda
Agarwood, is a fragrant dark resinous wood of tree species of Aquilarialike A. malaccansis and A. crassna (Thymelaeaceae)used in high grade incenses, perfumes, and small carvings. It is formed in the heartwood when they become infected with a type of mold (Phialophora parasitica) an as the infection progresses, the tree produces a dark aromatic resin, called aloes (notof Aloe) or agar (not algal based) due to which the heart wood becomes dark and resin-embedded. This wood is much valued for its distinctive fragrance, and thus is used for incenses and perfumes. First-grade agarwood is one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world, costing as high as US$100,000/kg,with inferior grades fetching lesser prices. The current global market for agarwood is estimated to be in the range of US$6 – 8 billion and is growing rapidly
The oil consists of about 70 sesquiterpenes like10-epi-ϒ-eudesmol, aromadendrane, β-agarofuran, α-agarofuran and ϒ-eudesmol and chromones like flindersiachromone and 2-phenethyl-4H-chromen-4-oneand no monoterpenes.
Agarwood is one of the oldest antirheumatic medicines, used in past for embalming bodies for preserving. In Bible it is mentioned 5 times and is one of the spices (pounded aloeswood) brought by Nicodemus to embalm the body of Christ(John19;39). According the Easton's Bible dictionary,aloeswood in the bible is Aquilaria agallochum.
The wood has long been used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine for treatment of various illness such as rheumatism, other inflammatory-related disorders, diaorrhea, and also used as a sedative, stimulant and cardio-protectant. In Thailand, agarwood is the main ingredient in the herbal remedy called “Yahom” used for treatment of fainting and abdominal discomfort.
These plants are listed as threatened, but Forest depts. and agriculturists have undertaken extensive cultivation and now becoming a cash crop in all states of Northeastern India and introduced also in Kerala. Plants are propagated by stem cuttings or seeds.
Interested persons may refer www.organickeralam.org
for videos regarding this plant or contact Dr.Shamshuddin, Palakkad on 9747803333
The following 2 videos can be referred to get more details.
References:
Wikipedia
Mammen Daniel
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