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.
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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