CHAPTER 18
Guggulu: A Weight Reducing Herb

“Science of yoga and Ayurveda is subtler than the science of medicine, because science of medicine is often victim of statistical manipulation.”

Amit Ray

Guggal (guggulu in Sanskrit) is a highly valued botanical medicine used in Ayurveda. Guggul is the yellowish resin extracted from the mukul tree (Commiphora mukul (Stocks) Hook or Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari). Widely used for thousands of years in Ayurveda and other traditional medicines for a variety of health conditions and as incense in holy ceremonies; Recently guggul has attracted the attention of west possibly because of its ability to treat high cholesterol and obesity. The classical text Charak Samhita described in detail the usefulness of this herb in the treatment of obesity and other disorders of fat including coating and obstruction. Guggul resin is produced more abundantly and is stronger in potency during the season of autumn; hence it must be collected in autumn. Freshly collected guggulu has a weight increasing quality, whereas Purana guggul (guggul which is at least one year old) has an weight reducing quality.

1. Nomenclature

Family Name: Burseraceae

Scientific Name: Commiphora mukul (Stocks) Hook or Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari

Sanskrut name: Guggulu, Dhurta, Divya, Durga, Guggalu, Jatala, Jatayu etc.

Engish Name: Guggal

Common Name: Indian Bdellium Gum, Guggulipid, Gum Guggul, Salaitree Gugulipid, Moql, Moqle-arzagi, Gugal, Gugali, Gugar, Guggul, Mukul.

2. Bio energies

Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya

Guna: Laghu, rukha

Virya: Ushna

Vipaka: Katu

Prabhav: Rasayana

Dosha effect: VKP=

3. Biomedical Action

Alterative, anti-inflammatory, (powerful), antipyretic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-suppurative, aperient, aphrodisiac, astringent, bitter, carminative, demulcent, diaphoretic, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, enhances phagocytosis, immunostimulant, (increases leukocytes), stimulating expectorant, stomachic, thyroid stimulant, uterine stimulant.

Habitat

Guggul is believed to have originated in Central Asia or Northern Africa. But, today, it is cultivated in India as well mainly for medicinal purposes. Guggulu plant is a highly tolerant plant as it can survive in areas where there is hardly any water. The plant is grown throughout the north India. The herb has been playing a major role in the traditional medicine of India.

Guggal Gum

Botanical Characters

Guggul is a resin, which is secreted by a small to medium sized, thorny mukul myrrh tree called Commiphora mukul. The shrub reaches a maximum height of 1.2 to 1.6m (4 to 6 feet) and bears thorns on its branches. The leaves are small similar to those of neem. The flowers are red and the fruit is oval in shape and pulpy in nature. The plant belongs to the Burseraceae family. The bark of the tree is used in Ayurvedic medicines and it is thin like paper. The branches are filled with thorns and the leaves trifoliate. The gum, called “guggul” or “gum guggulu,” is tapped from the stem of the plant, and the fragrant yellow resin latex solidifies as it oozes out. Excessive production of the gum eventually kills the plant. C. mukul is synonymous with C. wightii and is in the same genus as C. myrrha.

Plant Part Used

Exudate from stem

Chemical Constituents

The gum contains minerals, resin, volatile oils, sterols, ferulates, flavones, sterones, and other chemical constituents. The ketonic steroid compounds known as guggulsterones. These compounds have been shown to provide the cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering actions noted for guggulu.

Several pharmacologically active components have been identified in the plant, including guggulsterone (E- and Z-stereoisomers) and gugulipid, both found in the ethyl acetate extract of the plant. Studies have shown that the guggulsterones are antagonist ligands for the bile acid farnesoid X receptor, which is activated by bile salts, thus reducing cholesterol.

Health Benefits

Since ancient times guggal has been used in treating health problems

• • Guggul significantly lowers serum triglycerides and total cholesterol as well as LDL and VLDL cholesterols (the bad cholesterols).
• • Encouraged by Ayurvedic description of this drug in lowering cholesterol, scientists have conducted clinical trials to test the efficacy of this herb in lipid metabolism and for weight reduction. The research resulted into the development of natural cholesterol substance. That is safer and more effective than many conventional cholesterol lowering drugs.
• • At the same time, it raises levels of HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). As antioxidants, guggulsterones keep LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, an action which protects against atherosclerosis.
• • Guggul has also been shown to reduce the stickiness of platelets, another effect that lowers the risk of coronary artery disease.
• • One double-blind trial found guggul extract similar to the drug clofibrate for lowering cholesterol levels. Other clinical trials in India (using 1,500 mg of extract per day) have confirmed guggul extracts improve lipid levels in humans.

The major Ayurvedic medicines having C. wightii as an important ingredient are following.

Types of Guggulu

1. 1. Amrita Guggulu: This formulation treats all the sixteen types of skin diseases viz; urticaria, enlargement of liver, leprosy, malignant jaundice, tubercular leprosy, loss of appetite, fistula-in-ano, catarrh in the nose, and abdominal ailments. It reduces hyperuricaemia and maintains proper uric acid levels in blood. These herbs are specifically effective against gout, vitiated air in the blood besides other uses such as acid-peptic disorders, piles, ulcers, diabetes, loss of digestive heat, arthritis, edema etc.
2. 2. Yograj Guggulu: It used for old and high vata related conditions of the joints and muscles (Rheumatoid arthritis). It maintains healthy metabolism and removes toxins from the system. It rejuvenates and strengthens the neuromuscular systems. It is used in case of painful thigh, osteoporosis, bone density, gout, siffness nervous disease, epilepsy, cardiac lesions, anaemia, tumour, pain in chest etc.
3. 3. Punarnava Guggulu: It is a combination of trikatu, triphala and guggal. It can remove deep seated kapha from the tissues. This guggal preparation is powerful detoxifying and rejuvenating in action. It supports the healthy elimination of liquids and helps maintain balance of the water element within the body. It is used for sciatica pain and stiffness of thigh, leg and lumbar region; colic pain in urogenital system and arthritis. Edema, Gout, Hyperuricemia (an excess of uric acid in the blood creating inflammatory and painful swelling of joint, limbs, and appendages), purine metabolism, gouty conditions, water retention.
4. 4. Kishore Guggulu: Its main ingredients are guduchi, trikatu, triphala ang guggal. This is also powerful detoxifying and rejuvenating combination aimed primarily at removing deep-seated pitta from the tissues This preparation is especially balancing for pitta, particularly when it is disturbing the musculoskeletal system. It also acts to nourish and strengthen the system, supporting the overall health and proper function of the joints, the muscles, and the connective tissue.
5. 5. Shuddha Guggul: Guggul is purified in cow’s milk in order to remove toxic substances and render the guggulu easily absorbable. Ayurveda specifies Shodhana (purification) as one of the important procedures before oral administration of guggul. This type of guggulu is used in lowering cholesterol, triglyceride, vata related disorders.
6. 6. Triphala Guggulu: Triphala Guggulu is a well-balanced mixture of two very effective herbs described in Ayurveda. While Triphala is one of the most effective bowel cleansers, Guggul works as an effective defense agent for the body. This mixture is being used in India for various curative purposes for more than 4,000 years. Benefits in fatigue, constipation, indigestion, mal-absorption, diabetes, low metabolism, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sinusitis, allergies, sinus congestion, rheumatism, arthritis, hemorrhoids, toxemia, hyperglycemia, general debility, brittle nails, inflammation, flatulence, dullness in skin, myopia, headaches.

Dosage

Dosage recommendations for guggul are usually based on guggulsterones concentration in the extract. A typical dosage of guggulsterones is 25 mg three times per day. Most extracts can be taken daily for 12 to 24 weeks for lowering high cholesterol and/or triglycerides.

Home Remedies

• • Take 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls of guggulu powder 2 to 3 times a day with hot hot or lukewarm water or milk, ir reduces the temperature and improves thyroid functions.
• • Take 25 mg of guggal powder daily for 12 to 24 weeks to purify blood and reduce skin diseases
• • To stay away from acne guggal is the best recommended medicine for teenagers.

Cautions

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.
• • 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.
• • Finally, during the course of using guggulu one should avoid the following: foods that are sour or bitter in taste, alcohol, excessive exercise, physical and mental strain, anger, and exposure to direct sunlight.
• • High doses of guggul may cause allergies itching and shortness of breath.
• • If you are a thyroid patient before taking guggul you must consult a physician.

It won’t be surprised if, in near future, guggal turns out to be the possible panacea for most of the chronic ailments particularly afflicting human race.