General Description
Guggul (or gum guggul) is the yellowish resin produced by the mukul
myrrh, a thorny shrub native to India and the Middle East. Approximately
6 to 8 feet in height, the mukul myrrh is essentially leafless most
of the year. When present, the leaves consist of one to three small,
ovate leaflets with serrated edges. Mukul myrrh has small, brown
to pink, unisexual flowers, which eventually give way to red, ovate
fruit, each containing a single seed. Upon injury, the shrub exudes
a resinous substance, or guggul, which is used for medicinal purposes.
Health Applications
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Inflammation
History and Traditional Use
Guggul has long been valued as a medicinal herb in India's Ayurvedic
system, where it has been used to treat a variety of conditions
including arthritis, obesity, and lipid disorders.1
Chemical Composition
The active constituents in guggul are a group of compounds known
as guggulsterones.2
Contemporary Uses
Most of the research conducted on guggul has focused on its cholesterol-lowering
abilities. Studies conducted on patients with high cholesterol
levels indicate that guggul can lower total cholesterol, triglyceride,
and LDL (the "bad cholesterol") levels, while raising HDL (the
"good cholesterol") levels.3,4 Studies on
laboratory animals suggest that guggul's cholesterol-lowering
activity results from enhanced LDL uptake by the liver.5
One small study indicates that guggul may help control acne in
patients with oily skin,6 while another study
suggests the herb may have anti-inflammatory properties as well.7
Dosage/Toxicity
Most studies on guggul have used doses providing the equivalent
of 25 mg of guggulsterones twice daily. Side effects such as headache,
mild nausea, belching, and hiccups have been reported in a small
number of patients.3 Because guggul may interfere
with the activity of some drugs,8 people taking
prescription medication should only take guggul under a physician's
supervision. |
