Medicinal Properties and Health Benefits Of Guggul

The flowering mukul myrrh tree is commonly known as guggul, it is a fragrant resin. The guggle is scientifically known as Commiphora Mukul. This thorny tree is commonly found in India, especially the states that have arid climates like Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The resin from the sap of the guggul tree is used in traditional Indian medicine. In North Africa and Central Asia, this guggul is used for thousands of years in Ayurveda; it has been used to treat various medical conditions. By using this guggul, you can treat various health issues, such as acne, arthritis, hemorrhoids, urinary infections, etc.

Guggul is known as Guggulu in Sanskrit, which means it protects from disease. Different types of Guggulu are available for the different uses, and it is defined by the age and color of the gum. The medicinal properties of the guggul have lasted for 20 years; it is one of the important herbs in the ayurvedic treatment. But the usage of the guggul is very rare.

The harvesting time of guggul is from the beginning of November to July. The collected resin will be cleaned by hand and allowed to dry. Once the guggul is purified, it is used to make powder, extract, and topical salves. Due to the bitter taste of the guggul, it is used to make tea for some time.

What is Guggul?

Guggul is a gum or resin that is extracted from Commiphora Mukul Tree, which is native to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This herbal tree has been used as a medicine for centuries. The dry gum resin extract from the guggul tree has been used as an ayurvedic medicine from ancient times. Guggul is one of the ayurvedic herbs that is used to treat various health problems. Sometimes, guggul supplements are also defined as guggul lipid or guggulipid. 

In this modern culture, guggul resins are used to treat high cholesterol levels, arthritis, weight loss, and skin problems.

Common Names Of Guggul

English Name: Indian Bdellium/ Myrrh Gum

Tamil Name: குக்குலு – Guggulu

Malayalam Name: ഗുല്ഗുലു – Gulgulu

Telugu Name: గుగ్గులు – Guggulu

Hindu Name: गुग्गुल – Guggul

Gujarati Name: ગુગગુલ – Guggul

Kannada Name: ಗುಗ್ಗಲ್ – Guggal

Marathi Name: Guggala

Active Components in Guggul

The guggul has a mixture of steroids, sterols, alcohols, and esters; it has multiple benefits:

Sterols and Steroids: It is the main component of guggul, and it has the guggulsterone E and Z. The other steroids in the guggul have the guggulsterone M, guggulsterone Y, and dihydro-guggulsterone. The steroidal of the guggul also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Sesquiterpenoids: This component of the guggul has the neuroprotective activity in the cell-based study.

Triterpenoids: The Myrrhanol (A, B, C) and Myrrhanone (A, B) of the guggul have anti-inflammatory action.

Flavonoids: The Quercetin of the guggul has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Volatile oil: Eugenol, Limonene, Cineole, and Pinene are some of the important oil extracts from the guggul. scing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Benefits of Guggul

• Used to purify the blood
• Support immunity system
• Promotes rejuvenation and detoxification
• Helps to maintain a healthy weight
• Used to maintain the cholesterol levels
• It is a natural source of antioxidants
• Used to treat the digestive problem
• Promotes comfortable joints movement
• promote regular menstrual cycle
• Helps to the healthy skin and engender vibrant

The Guggul has a nice and penetrating quality so that it is considered as a yogavahi. It is specially used to carry the substance deep into the tissue. When the guggul is combined with other herbs, it directly leads to its powerful rejuvenating and detoxifying quality.

Guggul composes the kapha and Vata pitta; due to this feature, it is famous for alleviating vata aggravations. Usually, guggul has a connection with all tissues in the body, and also it is used to treat the problems in the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems.

Guggul is abrading that allows us to clear the toxins from the channels and tissues and to rejuvenate them. The scraping quality of the guggul gives a lot of health benefits.

High Cholesterol

In India guggul is widely used to fight against high cholesterol; it has the ability to balance the cholesterol level. In Ayurveda, the resin from the different parts of the guggul tree is worked on the different tissues in the body.

Moreover, the guggul tree’s sap has a strong connection with the blood, so it is not surprising that the guggul can improve the blood flow, and it can improve the quality of blood.

Guggul is highly used to purify the blood so that it helps to promote the cholesterol levels in the blood and the scraping toxins from the circulatory system. Moreover, the guggul is helped to improve the supple arteries, and it tonifies the heart. In ayurveda, there are some other herbs are also used to reduce cholesterol. Here you can see the herbs to lower cholesterol level.

Weight Loss

Heavyweight is considered as the Kapha imbalance in Ayurveda. The guggul is helped to burn the excess fat from the body with its bitter, pungent, astringent taste.

The guggul is also used to support the healthy thyroid function, burn the fat. It is also used to improve the meda dhatu adni, which means the adipose tissue’s metabolic principle.

The guggul also has digestive fire; it helps to eliminate the excess fat. It acts as the liver stimulant, appetizer, and it works with the fat and oil digestion so that it is supporting weight management in different ways.

Cancer

Some research says that guggul is used to fight some types of cancer. Most of the results say that the guggul suppresses the enzymes that promote the growth of the tumor.

The guggul stimulates other proteins so that it triggers apoptosis in the tumor cells. The tumor cell line of colon cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer is neutralized.
Also Read: Best Herbs To Treat Cancer

Joint Pain

Guggul is also used as the ailments of joints, the scraping, and the guggul’s detoxifying property helps to remove the toxins in the joints.

It has the ability to rejuvenate and lubricate the tissues around the joints; it helps to strengthen the tissues. Moreover, it allows the proper movement with fine spaces.

Traditional Guggul Types

Kaishore Guggul

The kaishore guggul is specially prepared for the pitta balancing, especially when the pitta is distributed in the musculoskeletal system.

The Triphala, Guduchi, and trikatu are the main ingredients for the preparation of the kaishore guggul. When these ingredients are combined with guggul it gets the strong detoxifying property, and the rejuvenating combination of this guggul is effectively removing the pitta from the tissues.

It is also used for nourishment that helps to strengthen the system and to support overall health. This guggul is also used for the regular function of the muscles, joints, and connective tissues.

Yogaraj Guggul

The combination of the herbs with guggul is used to clean the excess Vata from the body, especially when placed in the musculoskeletal system. Our guide will help you to know how to decrease vata from body.

The combination of the herbs with the guggul provides powerfully detoxifying and rejuvenating properties, and also it has a special connection with the muscles, nerves, and joints.

This yogaraj guggul is specially prepared to eliminate and scrape the natural toxins in the muscles and joints. Moreover, it helps to strengthen and rejuvenates the neuromuscular and skeletal system.

Triphala Guggul

This is the classic Ayurvedic preparation that combines the rejuvenating and detoxifying property of the Triphala that combines with the cleansing and penetration action of the guggul.

It will remove the body’s channel at the time of removing the natural toxins in the tissues. The Triphala guggul has the kindles Agni property, so that it is highly preferred for weight management.

It is also used to improve the healthy metabolism level in the body and release the excess kapha from the body. To maintain the overall health, this guggul supports the digestion and elimination system by minimizing the toxins in the blood, GI tract, and joint.

Punaravadi Guggul

The punarnavadi guggul is used to clean the excess amount of Kapha from the heart, urinary system, joints, and kidney.

The punarnava, trikatu, and Triphala are the main ingredients of this formula. Combining these herbs with the guggul has the powerful rejuvenating and detoxifying property that helps to the healthy elimination of liquids from the body.

It is used to balance the water molecules in the body and release the Kapha in the tissues. This punarnavadi guggulu also supports the blood and lymph, and also it is used for the comfortable joint movement and improves the healthy blood circulation.

Gokshuradi Guggul

This gokshuradi guggulu has a strong connection with the genitourinary tract. This compound is used to balance the pitta, Vata, and Kapha, it helps to strengthen and maintain the bladder, kidney, urethra, and the reproductive organs.

The gokshura is the main ingredient of this compound, this herb is well known for its rejuvenating property for the prostate, respiratory system, and kidney.

This formula also has the Tripura, guggul, and trikatu, it is very effective for its detoxifying property that helps to balance the urinary system.

Kanchanar Guggul

The combination of the herb in the kanchanar guggulu has an ability to spout out the kapha imbalances. It is also used to support the lymphatic system and thyroid gland.

Kanchanar is an astringent herb that helps to slow the qualities of kapha, and clean the moist. The combination of kanchanar with the trikatu, Triphala, and guggul provides the powerful detoxifying property that helps to remove the excess kapha from the body.

Due to the kindles agni property of this combination, it minimizes the future formation of the kapha and improves the healthy elimination.

Simhanad Guggul

This simhand guggul is specially used for rejuvenating and detoxifying the joints and also it helps to balance the Kapha and Vata in the body and it may incense pitta.

This formula combines the rejuvenating and scraping quality of the guggul with the cleaning capacity of the Triphala and castor oil, which helps to remove the natural toxins from the blood, joints, and GI tract.

The lubricating and soothing quality of this simhanad guggulu is helped to nourish and strengthen the tissues in the joint. It provides good support to the joints for the proper function and mobility. This formula also improves healthy elimination and digestion for good health.

How To Use Guggul

Internal Use of Guggul

The taste of the guggul plays an important role in the signals and digestive process of the body. The taste of this guggul is to initiate its own supportive system, so the traditional Ayurveda recommended this herb.

The guggul can be used internally, but commonly it is used with the combination of other herbs. The guggulu can be taken as a tablet or powder. The plain guggul and most of the guggul formulas are available in both tablet and powder form.

Guggul Tablets

The herbal tablet is the best way to take the guggul with the combination of other herbs, especially the person who is frequently traveling with it.

The tablet is a good alternative option for the person who is looking for the taste of the formula. The herbal tablet is the form of a capsule because it provides the sample taste of guggul and it allows the digestive process.

The 1-2 tablet is the typical dosage for once or twice daily or it can be used based on the direct healthcare practitioner.

Guggul Powder

The guggul powder provides the full experience in the taste of herb or the combination of herbs. The guggul powder is an economical option for purchasing the guggul.

The 1/2-1/4 teaspoon is a typical dosage of the guggul powder that takes once or twice daily, or you can take the dosage of the guggul powder that is directed by the healthcare practitioner.

The guggul power can be taken with the milk, water, honey, ghee, or other substances, which has the ability to act as the medium for the herb for the good result. The Ayurvedic practitioner can advise the herbal carrier for your needs. 

External use of Guggul

Paste: The paste of the guggulu can be applied on the body that helps to promote skin health. By applying the guggul paste on the joints, it helps to move freely, detoxifies the tissues, and reduces swelling.

Gargling: Gargled by using the guggul will help in the mouth that supports the healthy teeth, oral mucous membranes, and gums.

Side Effects Of Guggul

Guggul has an ability to increase the pitta, especially, when it combines with the pitta aggravating components.

When taking guggul, it is recommended to avoid alcohol, sour food, anger, exposure to the sun, and sexual activity. Guggul is an effective herb so it is advised to use properly.

The excessive dosage of the guggul leads to weight loss, mouth dryness, skin problems, impotency, vertigo, and the pathological changes in the lungs and liver. Saffron is used as an antidote for these problems.

Contraindications

The use of guggul should be avoided at the time of breastfeeding, during pregnancy, excess uterine bleeding, acute kidney infection, and thyrotoxicosis.

The people who have allergies in the Commiphora Mukul and the other plants in the Burseraceae family should avoid the usage of guggul.

There are a lot of interactions between guggul and prescription medications. It has to be warned when taking the guggul with the combination of hypo-glycemic medications, anti-coagulants, lipid-lowering agents, anti-hypertensives, antiplatelets, estrogens, and anti-diabetics.

If you are using any kind of these prescribed medicines then it’s better to consider your doctor before going to use.

Dosages Of Guggul

Guggul supplements are available in the form of tablets, capsules, extracts, lotions, and powders. You can easily find these supplements in online or health supplement stores. Usually, the dosage of oral supplement of guggul is 6.25-132 mg per day.

The dosage of guggul supplements varies based on the presence of plant steroids, and active guggulsterone. You can also find guggul supplement with the combination of guggul and other herbs or extracts.

Alternative Hearbs For Guggul

In Ayurveda, there are some alternative herbs available for guggul. Brahmi and Triphala are some of the alternative herbs whose benefits are similar to the benefits of guggul. 

Actually, Triphala is a polyherbal medicine, it combines haritaki, amla, and bibhitaki. The native of these three dried herbs are India. Some researches proves the benefits of Triphala.

Brahmi is another ayurvedic herb from Eastern India. The benefits of brahmi is also similar to guggul.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you are going to purchase a guggul or the guggul related products, you have to consider a lot of questions that help to purchase good quality herbs.

How Guggul is used in Ayurvedic medicine?

Guggul is an important herb in the traditional ayurvedic, it is considered as a yogavahi which means it carries the other herbal substances deep into the tissues. Due to this, the guggul is highly recommended for the other ayurvedic remedies that help to balance the three constitute, such as mental, physical, and emotional characteristics.

The ayurvedic practitioner prescribes guggul based on the physical exam and your medical history. When guggul is used as a medicine, it can be taken as internally and applied on the skin as a paste or gargled that helps to promote oral health.

Who should take guggul?

People who have hemorrhoids, urinary disorders, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, and obesity can take guggul. You can consume it in the form of a tablet, capsule, and extract. But, it is not recommended to consume guggul naturally with foods.

Can guggul be burnt at home?

Yes, you can burn guggul at home. While burning guggul, the fragrance is similar to the myrrh. You can burn the guggul in a separate vessel over the hot coals. The dense smoke and fragrance from guggul will purify the air and promote your health. 

Which guggul is best for weight loss?

There are some ayurvedic formulations in guggul, in which medohar guggul and Triphala guggul is generally recommended for weight loss. 

Are the ingredients harvested sustainably?

Once upon a time, guggul was abundant in most parts of India, and ironically, the success of this herbal plant led to the decline of this plant. Without damaging the tree, it is very difficult to harvest the resin of this tree, leaving it suspicious of infections and death also.

The overharvesting of the guggul in recent decades leads most of the trees to become endangered. Due to this reason, guggul harvesting provides a direct impact on long-term sustainability. The good thing about this guggul is that the guggulu can be harvested on private farms where the farmers can ensure comfortable farming.

When comparing a manufacturer and the price of the product with others the sourcing practices are one of the important things to consider. The guggul was harvested in Rajasthan for several years, it is a place for the sustainable harvest of guggul in India.

In the year 2007, there were eight thousand guggul plants planted in the dry and hot organic farm, this climate is suitable for these species. After the 3 years of planting the guggul, the trees are ready for the first harvesting.

Is guggul grown in the optimal locations?

The location of the planting does not decide the quality of the guggul. The taste and quality of the herb are based on the growing condition of the plant.