The Ancient Indian Herb Guggul - Commiphora Mukul

Other Common Names: Bdellium Gum, Guggulipid, Gum Gugal, Salaitree Gugulipid, gum guggulu, Commiphora mukul

Range: Northeast Africa, Afghanistan, India

Guggul is a tree which exudes a resinous sap out of incisions that are made in its bark. This resin has been used for centuries as part of India's traditional medicine called Ayurveda.

The Ayurvedic system of herbalism traces its roots to over five thousand years ago to the Himalayan Mountains of India. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, health is dependent upon one's ability to live in harmony with one's self and with the external universe. Ayurvedic herbal formulations, like those of the Chinese, are combinations of many different herbs that work synergistically. Single herbs are rarely if ever employed.

Guggal an extract of the exudate (gum guggul) of Mukul myrrh tree, contains phytosterols named guggulsterones, organic acids, aromatic acids, diterpenes, lignans, sterols, steroids, esters and fatty acid alcohols. Guggal is preferred to crude gum guggul because it is safer and more effective.

It is alterative, antiatherogenic, antihypercholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory (powerful), antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antisuppurative, aperient, aphrodisiac, astringent, bitter, carminative, demulcent, diaphoretic, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, enhances phagocytosis, immunostimulant (increases leukocytes), stimulating expectorant, stomachic, thyroid stimulant, uterine stimulant.

It's active components, Z-guggulsterone and E-guggulsterone, have an ability to lower both cholseterol and triglyceride levels. Specifically, gugulipid lowers VLDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while simultaneously raising HDL cholesterol. This indicates Guggul's primary use for providing a protective effective against atherosclerosis. These effects are due to guggul's action on the liver and thyroid. The thyroid is stimulated to increase the body's metabolic rate, and the liver is stimulated to metabolize LDL cholesterol, effectively lowering the amount in the bloodstream.

Inula racemosa, also known as Pushkarmoola, is another traditional Ayurvedic botanical that has potential cardioprotective benefit. In human trials, a combination of Inula racemosa and Commiphora mukul was shown to be superior to nitroglycerin in reducing the chest pain and dyspnea associated with angina.

Known Hazards: Although the use of guggul in therapeutic doses appears to be safe and non-toxic, the following precautions are advised. Guggul is considered an emenogogue (an agent that promotes the menstrual discharge) and a uterine stimulant, and should not be used during pregnancy. Possible diarrhea, hiccups, restlessness, apprehension.

In addition, caution is recommended with patients currently on prescribed medications for cardiovascular disease. Due to the diuretic action of this herb the following drug interactions are possible: increased risk of toxicity with anti-inflammatory analgesics; if hypokalemia occurs possible antagonism with antiarrhythmics and potentiation of muscle relaxants; antagonizes antidiabetic (hypoglycemic) drugs; may potentiate and/or interfere with antihypertensives; may potentiate lithium therapy; when taken with corticosteroids there is a risk for hypokalemia; may potentiate other diuretics and increase the risk of hypokalemia.

  • Satyavati GV. Gum guggul (Commiphora mukul)-The success of an ancient insight leading to a modern discovery. Indian J Med 1988;87:327-35.
  • Altern Med Rev 1998 Dec;3(6):422-31 Miller AL - Botanical influences on cardiovascular disease.

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guggul herb said:

how can i fined this herb ?