Guggul is a famous herb in the Ayurveda school of medicine. Commiphora wightii (Guggul, Guggal or Mukul myrrh tree) belongs to the Burseraceae family. It is a small shrub or a tree that can grow up to 5 meters in height. It bears small trifoliate leaves, similar to that of a ‘neem’ tree. The branches have thorns and the red flowers of Guggul have small petals. The Guggul fruit is elliptical in shape and soft. A gummy resin is harvested from the plant's bark; the thin bark of the tree has several medicinal properties. The resin is also known as Gum Guggulu and has a fragrance similar to that of myrrh. It is commonly used in the manufacture of incense and perfumes. Guggul can be purchased in a loosely packed form as incense, called ‘dhoop’ – which produces a dense smoke and is used as fragrance in temples. Guggul can be found in most parts of India and Pakistan. The Guggulu herb, Commiphora mukul, is one of Ayurveda’s strongest purifying herbs, and has been used for thousands of years to treat obesity, soothe inflamed joints and relieve chronic skin disorders. In Ayurveda it is believed that Guggul is helpful in stabilising our Vata and Kapha imbalances.
Health Benefits
Loss of weight: Guggul helps regulate the thyroid hormones (Ayurveda).
Lower cholesterol: Guggul contains a bio-chemical that helps in lowering total cholesterol levels in the body.
Anti-oxidant properties: Guggul reduces the impact of free radicals (Ayurveda).
Anti-bacterial properties: Guggul bark resin possesses anti-bacterial properties, which are ideal for fighting infections. As a mouthwash, Guggulu helps treat canker sores and gingivitis.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Guggul resin extracts possess anti-inflammatory properties (Ayurveda).
The extracts of Guggul are being marketed by several drug companies as easy-to-consume capsules.
Caution: Though there are no serious side effects of Guggul, prolonged use may be associated with mild stomach upsets. The crude Gum Guggul is not well tolerated and may cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Guggul may stimulate the thyroid and uterus, and so is best avoided by those suffering from hyperthyroidism, and pregnant women. Those taking cholesterol-lowering drugs should consult their physicians before starting on Guggul supplements. Blood thinners and Guggul should also not be combined, as the herb can also reduce blood clotting. Despite several studies supporting Guggul’s health benefits, there has been no conclusive scientific evidence that supports the use of Guggul for the treatment of any medical condition.
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