Guggul / Guggulu (ayurvedic preparation): Is an exudate (Niryaasa) obtained from the plant Commiphora mukul. Preparations having this exudate as main effective ingredient are known as Guggulu. There are five different varieties of Guggulu described in the texts. However, two of the varieties, namely Mahisaaksha and Kanaka Guggul are usually preferred for medicinal preparations. Mahisaksha Guggulu is dark greenish brown and Kanaka Guggulu is yellowish brown in color. They are purified by boiling the raw material with different liquid materials till a soft mass is obtained and repeatedly processed to obtain its purified form known as sodhita guggulu. Its potency is supposed to be retained for two years when used as ingredient with products of plant origin and indefinitely when prepared with metal and mineral based products.
Guggul / Indian Bdellium-tree / Mukul myrrh tree / Commiphora Wightii / Commiphora mukul is a flowering plant in the family Burseraceae, which produces a fragrant resin called gugal, guggul or gugul, that is used in incense and Ayurvedic medicine. Commiphora wightii grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 4 m, with thin papery bark.
Guggul – one of the key components in the Ayurveda system, is included in the “golden series” of medicinal plants and is widely used in the treatment of a huge number of ailments. Guggul contains a mixture of plant compounds including steroids, essential oils, lignans, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, each of which may be responsible for different medicinal properties. Guggul is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research shows it can help treat certain conditions associated with inflammation, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and arthritis. It is also used for weight loss, treating hypothyroidism, and controlling cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Medicinal properties:
- blood purifier
- antiseptic
- antifungal
- antioxidant
- decongestant
- diaphoretic
- diuretic
- pain reliever
- anti-inflammatory agent
- antispasmodic
- expectorant
- wound treatment
- astringent and absorbent
- free radical scavenger
Indications: due to the large number of medicinal properties, guggul is used to treat: diseases of the nervous system (depression, neurasthenia, loss of energy, overwork, insomnia); high blood cholesterol levels; circulatory problems (blood stasis, leukopenia); diseases of the pulmonary system (lung pollution, silicosis); the appearance of malignant and benign neoplasms (papilloma, adenoma, cyst); diseases of the urinary system (cystitis, urethritis, hydronephrosis); atherosclerosis; excess weight; intestinal diseases (enteritis, colitis, dysbiosis, colic, diarrhea); violation of lipid metabolism (disruptions in metabolism, obesity, impaired appetite); joint diseases (arthritis, rheumatism, gout); diabetes; diseases of the reproductive system (impotence, infertility); skin diseases (leprosy, psoriasis, abscesses, ulcers, acne); haemorrhoids; urolithiasis disease; insect bites; respiratory tract diseases (cough, bronchitis); cardiac ischemia.
Cautions and side effects: Guggul is considered relatively safe when taken at the usually recommended dose. Mild side effects can include skin rashes, diarrhea, mild nausea, hiccups, and irregular menstrual cycles. In addition, when taken in high doses, guggul can have a negative effect on the liver. For this reason, people with liver disease are advised to exercise caution when using guggul. Guggul can act as a uterine stimulant, potentially causing uterine contractions and premature labor, so it is best for pregnant women to avoid taking it.Due to the lack of research into the safety and effectiveness of Guggul in humans, you may experience some side effects that have not been widely reported.