| The guggul tree (sometimes spelt as 'guggulu') is an | | | | (ii) Constipation |
| indigenous Indian tree which found abundantly in the | | | | Guggul is a laxative. It facilitates the movement of |
| temperate climates of north India. It is a small shrub, | | | | the bowels and keeps the digestive system clean. |
| not more than 4 meters in height. | | | | (iii) Obesity |
| It has a thin bark with thorny branches and trifoliate | | | | Guggul is used primarily in the treatment of obesity. |
| leaves. It has red or pink flowers with four petals | | | | It is used in a very unconventional way. The gum |
| each. | | | | resin of the guggul is used to make incense sticks. |
| The gum of the guggul tree is used extensively in | | | | These are lighted and the fumes are inhaled. Guggul |
| Ayurvedic medicine. This gum is a yellowing resinous | | | | can also be given internally for obese people. Both |
| substance that is obtained from the stem of the | | | | Navaka Guggul and Triphala Guggul are effective in |
| guggul plant. The guggul plant is very well established | | | | the treatment of obesity. |
| in Ayurveda. Even in Sushruta Samhita, one of the | | | | (iv) Rheumatism |
| most detailed works on Ayurvedic medicine, the | | | | Yogaraj Guggul is extensively used in the treatment |
| virtues of the guggul in the treatment of obesity and | | | | of rheumatism. Two to four tablets twice a day |
| rheumatism are recorded. Guggul is commercially | | | | need to be taken. The dose must be followed by a |
| available for the treatment of cholesterol and | | | | glass of hot water or milk. |
| triglyceride deposits in the body. Western research | | | | (v) Sciatica |
| has proven that guggulsterone, a chemical available in | | | | Guggul is very effective in treating problems related |
| the guggul gum is the main beneficial factor in | | | | to the nervous system. It is given to the patient of |
| lowering cholesterol. Guggulipid, an extract of the | | | | sciatica in the form of Yogaraja Guggul, of which |
| guggul gum is also effective in lowering blood | | | | guggul is the main ingredient. The dosage is two |
| cholesterol. | | | | tablets four times a day along with warm milk or |
| The guggul is famous in the west with the name | | | | water. |
| mukul myrrh tree. Biologically, it is named Commiphora | | | | Special Ayurvedic Preparations |
| wightii or Commiphora mukul. In Ayurveda, guggul is | | | | (i) Guggul Tiktaka ghrita |
| rarely taken in its pure form. Whenever it is | | | | Guggul Tiktata ghrita is elaborately prepared by boiling |
| prescribed for direct oral medication, the guggul | | | | guggul in a special kind of butter. |
| needs to be purified. This method of purifying the | | | | (ii) Navaka Guggul |
| guggul herb is known as the shodhana. Shodhana is | | | | Navaka Guggul is a combination of guggul with other |
| done by boiling the herb in either cow's milk or its | | | | important herbs. It is generally used in weight loss. |
| urine. This makes the drug more acceptable to the | | | | (iii) Simhanada Guggul |
| human body, but it reduces its volatile oil content and | | | | Simhanada Guggul is a preparation with guggul with |
| hence makes the drug a little less effective in | | | | the main ingredient which is used as treatment for |
| therapeutic terms. | | | | cervical spondylosis. |
| Properties | | | | (iv) Triphala Guggul |
| Guggul is known to have the following properties:- | | | | Triphala Guggul is a compound extract (of triphala) to |
| (i) Guggul disintegrates the cholesterol accumulated in | | | | which guggul is added. |
| the body. Hence it is used in the treatment of | | | | (v) Yogaraja Guggul |
| various cardiovascular problems. | | | | Yogaraja Guggul is a very special preparation with |
| (ii) Guggul flushes out the toxins from the body and | | | | guggul as the main ingredient. It is a mixture of about |
| promotes easy digestion of foods. It has a mild | | | | twenty powder extracts, among which guggul is the |
| laxative effect. | | | | chief ingredient. It is used as a carminative, for |
| (iii) Guggul is known to be a liver stimulator. | | | | lowering cholesterol and as an antipyretic. |
| (iv) Guggul purifies the blood. | | | | Apart from these, there are many other guggul |
| (v) Guggul has a treating effect on the nervous | | | | preparations being widely used such as Gokshuradi |
| system. | | | | Guggul, Salai Guggul, Amrutadi Guggul, Kaishora |
| Uses | | | | Guggul, Kanchanara Guggul, Trayodashanga Guggul |
| (i) Cervical Spondylosis | | | | and Maha Yogaraja Guggul. |
| Cervical spondylosis is a special type of arthritis which | | | | Precautions |
| affects the cervical vertebrae, i.e. the vertebrae of | | | | The use of guggul must always be done under the |
| the neck region. For the treatment of this disease, | | | | supervision of an Ayurvedic physician. Excess of |
| guggul is by far the best remedy. It is used in the | | | | guggul almost always causes a rash on the body. But |
| form of its preparation Simhanada Guggul. The | | | | there are other more serious problems associated |
| dosage prescribed for the patients is two to four | | | | with an over-intake of guggul. For one, guggul |
| tablets twice a day, followed by a glass of hot water | | | | interferes with the liver functions. Hence people with |
| or milk. Due to its laxative effect, it also removes the | | | | liver conditions must not use guggul. Guggul is used in |
| ama, i.e. the toxic buildup of waste materials in the | | | | the treatment of digestive problems. But an excess |
| body. If the bowels move in a regular fashion, the | | | | of guggul can worsen the conditions. People having |
| pains of spondylosis are very much reduced. In fact it | | | | constant problems such as diarrhea and inflammatory |
| is only after treating constipation first that any | | | | bowel disorder must avoid taking guggul. |
| medication for the spondylosis would work. | | | | |