Guggul: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction

Guggul is an oleo-gum resin obtained from the bark of Commiphora wightii and belongs to the family Burseraceae. It is obtained as an exudate from the tapping of branches and stems of the guggul tree. It is found in dry areas of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In India, it is found in Gujarat, Assam, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh¹. The guggul tree is a small, bushy tree and has thorny branches. It makes yellowish gum resin in small ducts found all over its bark. The guggul tree is hit by making a cut on its bark, due to which the resins flow out and are allowed to harden before they are collected¹. Guggul has been used in the Indian traditional system for thousands of years to manage inflammation, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, obesity, and lipid metabolism disorders. It is also known as Guggula, Gugar, Guggal, and Indian bdellium¹.

Other vernacular names of guggul are:

• Guggul Dhoop
• Kanth Gan in Kashmiri
• Guggulu in Oriya
• Guggula in Bengali
• Guggul in Assamese
• Guggal
• Gugal
• Gugar in Gujarati Muqil (Shihappu) in Urdu
• Guggal in Punjabi
• Makishakshi guggulu
• Guggipannu in Telugu
• Mahisaksi Guggalu in Tamil
• Mahishaksh
• Guggul in Marathi
• Gulgulu
• Guggulu in Malayalam
• Guggala
• Kanthagana
• Guggal
• Mahishaksha guggulu
• Guggulugida
• Guggala
• Guggulu in Kannada²

Chemical Composition of Guggul

Guggul is an oleo gum resin and contains gum, resin and volatile oils (small quantity). It contains amino acids, sugars, essential oils, flavonoids, cembrene, camphorene, allycembrol, and ellagic acid³.

Uses of Guggul

Guggul has the following therapeutic properties⁴:

• It may show anti-inflammatory property
• It may show anti-arthritic property (help manage arthritis symptoms)
• It may show anti-hypercholesterolemic properties (prevents excessive cholesterol in the blood)
• It may show anti-thrombotic property (prevents blood clots that block the arteries or veins)
• It may show anti-rheumatism property (manages pain and inflammation of muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue)
• It may show anti-hyperlipidaemic property (manages excessive lipid/fats in the blood)
• It may show carminative activity (relieves flatulence/gas)
• It may show antispasmodic property (relieves spasms/cramps)
• It may show astringent property (shrinks body tissues)⁴
• It may show heart-protective property
• It may show antioxidant property
• It may show anti-microbial property
• It may show anti-cancer property
• It may show thyroid stimulatory property¹

Potential Uses of Guggul

Guggul possesses many properties, which may show potential uses against many disease conditions.

1. Potential Uses of Guggul for Arthritis and Inflammation

Several studies¹ have confirmed that guggul is beneficial for arthritis and inflammation and has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. The guggul extract was evaluated for anti-arthritic activity in various animal models. It was found that it blocked the disease’s development and lowered the severity of the disease. Several studies have confirmed that guggul might be helpful for arthritis and inflammation and show anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. The guggul extract was also evaluated for anti-arthritic activity in various animal models. In studies it was found that it blocked the disease’s development and lowered the effect of arthritis¹. However, do not use guggul as an alternative to medicinal treatment. Talk to a healthcare provider before using guggul for arthritis.

2. Potential Uses of Guggul for Skin Diseases

In a study¹ gugulipid (extract of guggul) was found to be effective in managing nodulocystic acne (a severe form of inflammatory acne that cauIn a study gugulipid (extract of guggul) was found to be effective in managing nodulocystic acne (a severe form of inflammatory acne that causes cysts and nodules on the face). In a human trial, too it was found to have some benefits for nodulocystic acne. The patients who had oily faces showed better results. However, talk to a skin doctor or specialist before using any herbal remedy on your face.

Over the years, I have observed that conditions like eczema and psoriasis, which involve inflammation of the skin, can be challenging to manage. However, I have found that Guggulu, a natural remedy, might offer some relief. Based on studies, using a cream containing Boswellia, an active component of Guggulu, can potentially reduce the reliance on corticosteroid creams and improve symptoms such as redness and superficial skin issues.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

3. Potential Uses of Guggul for Obesity

According to a study¹ guggul showed a lipid-lowering effect in obesity and atherosclerosis (a condition where fat deposits in the arteries). The lipid-lowering effect of guggul was studied in animals as well as humans. Guggul contains bioactive compounds that might be responsible for hypolipidemic activity. You should talk to a healthcare provider before using any herb to manage weight. In addition talking to a dietician will help you make better dietary choices.

4. Potential Uses of Guggul for Heart Related Diseases

Guggulsterone (plant steroid) found in guggul may show the heart-protective property. Guggulsterone was tested in an animal model for heart protective activity. It was found to lower cholesterol, phospholipid, and glycogen levels and protect the heart against damage¹. However, if you are suffering from heart problems, talk to a doctor and get a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

In my experience, I have observed that Guggulu, a herbal remedy, may have potential effectiveness in managing asthma symptoms. It is believed that Guggulu’s anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce airway inflammation and improve respiratory function⁷.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

How to Use Guggul?

Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe the form and dose as per your requirement. Guggul can be used as:

• Powder²
• Tablet
• Capsules⁵

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking guggul or any herbal supplements. Likewise do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medical treatment with an ayurvedic herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor. 

Side Effects of Guggul

Side effects associated with guggul use are:

• In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that when raw guggul is used, it may sometimes cause diarrhoea, skin rashes, headache, mild nausea, or irregular menstruation.
• When guggul is taken at high doses, it may also cause liver toxicity (liver damage)¹.
• When guggul extract was tested on humans, some people experienced side effects like fatigue and stomach-related issues¹.

Before using guggul or any herbal remedy, consult your doctor about the side effects associated with its use. It will help you make well-informed choices about your health.

Precautions to Take with Guggul

Even though guggul is generally considered relatively safe, it is better to use it with caution¹:

• There is no sufficient data about its safe usage during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, it is advised to consult your doctor before taking guggul.
• Consult your doctor if you are taking blood pressure medicines like diltiazem and propranolol, as gugulipid (extract of guggul) interacts with these medicines and lowers their effectiveness⁶.

Also, before taking guggul for its health benefits, consult your healthcare provider about the possible precautions associated with its use.   

Interactions with Other Drugs

Gugulipid (guggul extract) may interact with blood pressure medicines like diltiazem and propranolol. It reduces the absorption of these medicines. Taking guggul along with these medicines may lower the effectiveness of these drugs⁶. If you are taking any medicines, talk to your healthcare provider about the possible interactions of the treatment with other herbs and drugs. This will help you avoid unwanted side effects and interactions. 

Also Read: Kutajarishta: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and More!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Sarup P, Bala S, Kamboj S. Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Oleo-Gum Resin of Commiphora wightii (Guggulu) . Scientifica (Cairo). 2015;2015:1–14. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637499/
2. Health MOF, Welfare F. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part 1. 2001;3:129–30. Available at: http://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-1.pdf
3. Priyanka P, Sanjeev MK, Kumar GV, Jitender S, Sweety. Gum guggul: An ayurvedic boom. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res. 2014;6(2):347–54. Available from: https://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPPR/6/IJPPR,Vol6,Issue2,Article37.pdf
4. Vikaspedia. Commiphora wightii [Internet]. Available from: https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/crop-production/package-of-practices/medicinal-and-aromatic-plants/commiphora-wightii
5. Ahmed R, Wang YH, Ali Z, Smillie TJ, Khan IA. HPLC Method for Chemical Fingerprinting of Guggul (Commiphora wightii)-Quantification of E- and Z-Guggulsterones and Detection of Possible Adulterants. Planta Med. 2016;82(4):356–61. Available from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/HPLC-Method-for-Chemical-Fingerprinting-of-Guggul-E-Ahmed-Wang/4f3ca400664e5173813aa679c80d5e1685daf3a4
6. Dalvi SS, Nayak VK, Pohujani SM, Desai NK, Kshirsagar NA, Gupta KC. Effect of gugulipid on bioavailability of diltiazem and propranolol. J Assoc Physicians India. 1994;42(6):454–5. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7852226/
7. Dadoriya P, Dey YN, Sharma D, Yadav M, Wanjari MM, Gaidhani SN, Subhose V. In-vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of an Ayurvedic formulation – Trayodashang Guggulu. J Herb Med. 2020;23:100366. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210803320300385

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

13

1