Family Name : BURSERACEAE

Botanical Name : COMMIPHORA MUKUL

Common Name : COMMIPHORA, MUKUL, GUGGUL, BALSAMODENDRON MUKUL, INDIAN BDELLIUM TREE, MOQL, MOQLE-ARZAGI

Part Used : WHOLE PLANT

Habitat : Rocky tracks of Western India and Eastern Himalayas. Description- Botanical name of guggul is Commiphora Wightii. Guggul is sometimes written as guggal or guggulu. Guggul belongs to a flowering plant in the Burseraceae family. Guggulu herb naturally grows throughout India and Arabia. It is also found in northern Africa and central Asia but is most common in arid and semi-arid regions of Northern India, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Guggul tree produces a resinous sap referred to as guggul gum. The guggul extract from this gum is called gugul lipid (guggulipid or guglipid.) The active ingredient in the guggul extract is the steroid called guggulsterones, that is believed to lower cholesterol synthesis in liver.

Guggul Uses- Ayurvedic medicine uses guggul herb in treatment of many diseases. Guggul herb is an 'ushan virya' herb with hot potency. As such, guggul is used to treat diseases caused mainly by vata dosha prominence. However, effects of guggul herb can also suppress all the three aggravated doshas and therefore it works as tridosha suppressant. According to Ayurveda, guggul can effectively treat "coating and obstruction of channels," that helps in preventing and treating atherosclerosis and other medical conditions caused due to high levels of lipids in the body.

Guggul Benefits- Ayurveda recognizes guggul benefits in treating various medical conditions. Guggul extract is used for lowering cholesterol levels and lipids as well as for weight loss along with other uses of guggul herb.

• Guggul is a very useful anti inflammatory and pain relieving herb. It treats pain by suppressing vata which is the main pain causing factor. Thus, guggul is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, sciatica, paralysis, hemiplegia, lymphadenopathy and other such chronic pain conditions.
• Guggul also improves immune system by increasing the production of red blood corpuscles (RBC) and improving the activity of white blood corpuscles (WBC).
• Guggul herb is a very good blood purifier and is thus used to treat various skin diseases including leprosy and eczema.
• Guggul herb, due to its antibiotic effects, is widely used for treating infectious diseases.
• Guggul is a very useful herb for treating various heart problems. Regular use of guggul herb helps in balancing LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in blood.
• Guggul herb is also beneficial in treating hypertension as it helps in lowering blood pressure to normal levels.
• Guggul is also used for weight loss in obese people. As guggul herb has hot potency, it helps in activating body metabolism resulting in weight loss.
• Guggul is also used for improving digestive disorders by avoiding indigestion and constipation. It is a good appetizer and also grants relief from hyper acidity and belching.
• Guggul benefits also include its effectiveness in treating upper respiratory tract infection by suppressing kapha dosha. It is also beneficial in asthma. Gargles with guggul dissolved in water can treat tonsillitis, mouth ulcers, upper respiratory tract infection, throat irritation, pharyngitis and stomatitis effectively.
• Guggul is also an aphrodisiac as its regular use improves sexual ability as well as sperm count and sperm quality.
• Guggul herb is also beneficial for women's health as it gives relief from menstrual problems like painful menses, cramps and other related conditions.

Guggul benefits are for promoting overall health as well as for providing youthfulness with longevity. As such, guggul herb is used as an important ingredient in Chaywanprash. However, Ayurveda restricts everyone from taking guggul in raw form. Guggul gum extract should always be used with milk, water or in herbal medicine preparations.

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