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Guggul (Giggulu) Commiphora Mukul

In Ayurveda, the gum resin from this plant is used to fumigate the house and medicinal purposes. In modern Ayurveda, it is used to lower cholesterol
Guggul is grown in North India. A gash is cut into the bark on the tree to trap and collect the sap (oleo gum resin) exuding from the tree. The gum resin is used for medicinal purposes. The tree and its sap are both called Guggul
 

Names

Latin name: Commiphora Mukul
Sanskrit / Ayurveda name: Guggulu
Hindi: Guggul

Varieties of Guggul

There are five types of Guggul identifiable by the color

Mahisaks - Black
Mahanila - Dark Blue
Kumuda - Lily (Lotus) White
Padma - Ruby red
Kanaka - Gold
The Guggul is also classified as fresh or 'New Guggul', and aged or 'Old Guggul'. Old Guggul is preferred over new Guggul for weight loss, the new Guggul is useful in debility
You can buy Guggul in a tablet form or in capsules.

Ayurveda Properties

- Rasa: Bitter Pungent Astringent, and Sweet.
- Virya: Heating effect
- Vipaka: Pungent
- Guna: Light
- Dosha: Balance Vata and Kapha without aggravating Pitta Dosha.
Ayurveda classifies Guggul as Rasyana (Rejuvenating)
 

Uses of Guggul

The earliest mention of Guggul is found in 'Atharveda' for Leukoderma (white patches on the skin and grey hair. In Atharveda, Guggul is also recommended for fumigation, and burn in sacred fire rituals. Inhaling of fumes is supposed increase resistance against Tuberculosis. Other treatments were mentioned in Charka, Sushruta Samhita, and Vagbhatta. In 1964, Satyavati and Dwarkanath started to validate concept 'Medoroga' described in Sushruta Samhita (600 BC) to the modern pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis. Modern Ayurveda recommends following treatments

- Atherosclerosis (Hardening of arteries)

- Reduce pain caused by Arthritis by soothing inflamed joints.

- Lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower Triglycerides in case of Vegetarians, Lacto-vegetarians, and Indian non-vegetarians who eat meat occasionally and eat a lot of fiber. It may not be as effective in case of American diet of high animal food and low fiber.

- Weight loss

- Treat Acne (decrease redness and swelling), reduce the frequency of Acne outbreaks.

Precautions

- Guggul may be unsafe during pregnancy and breast-feeding