The Consumer Guide to Guggul
In this guide...
Recent findings
Do scientists know how it works?
Types of products
Safety
References
Guggul Abstracts
Guggul
Guggul products are derived from the gum resin of the small, thorny mukul tree (Commiphora mukul) of India's semi-arid plains. The mukul tree is related to another tree (Commiphora molmol and C. myrrh) whose bark is the source for myrrh, another gummy substance with healing properties. Guggul gum is used to produce standardized or purified extracts called gugulipids or guggulsterones. Heart drugs based on guggul extracts are sold in India, where almost all of the research on guggul has been done in the past thirty years.
Recent findings
A number of studies have supported the claims that guggul extracts can help to reduce heart disease risk factors, with reductions in both blood fats and total cholesterol of 15-30 percent over three months. Guggul extracts have been shown to lower overall blood fats, reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol, and raise "good" HDL cholesterol. If it is also true, as some studies suggest, that guggul extracts can reduce platelet stickiness, this herb would rank among the most important since few substances have a positive impact on both blood fats and platelets.
Do scientists know how it works?
Guggul's gum resin has astringent, antiseptic and antisuppurative properties and is used in the treatment of hemorrhoids. It is excreted by the mucous membranes of the body, in the course of which it stimulates and disinfects their secretions. It also contains guggulsterones Z and E, guggulsterols I - V, two diterperoids-a terpene hydrocarbon named cembrane A. Various guggul compounds in guggul gum resin are hypocholesteremic and hypolipidemic (i.e., they lower blood fat and cholesterol levels). And, guggulsterones stimulate thyroid activity in rats.
Types of products
Most products available are capsules or tablets standardized for gugulipids, or for gugulipids' steroid compounds, the guggulsterones. The potency used in most of the studies is 25 mg guggulsterones per tablet.
Safety
Indian researchers report that guggul is safe to take even during pregnancy and in high doses. No side effects were noticed in one study that administered 4-5 g, a dose that is much higher than the average recommended daily dose.
References
Lata, S., et al., "Beneficial effects of Allium sativum, Allium cepa and Commiphora mukul on experimental hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis--a comparative evaluation,"J Postgrad Med (1991), 37(3):132-5.
Abstracts
Lata S et al. Beneficial effects of Allium sativum, Allium cepa and Commiphora mukul on experimental hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis--a comparative evaluation. Department of Pharmacology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. J Postgrad Med, 1991 Jul 37(3):132-5 Oral administration of petroleum ether extract of Allium sativum, Allium cepa and ethylacetate extract of Commiphora mukul in albino rats significantly prevented rise in serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride level, caused by atherogenic diet. All the three agents were also found to confer significant protection against atherogenic diet induced atherosclerosis.