Guggul Gum

The kingdom Plantae has many species of plants that have many medicinal values and are used to treat infections and diseases, ranging from common cold to cancer. Ayurveda is the branch of medicine which deals with these herbs and the ailments they can treat. Guggul gum resin is a sap which is secreted from the bark of the Mukul myrrh tree (whose botanical name is Commiphora mukul). The Mukul tree, also known as the Indian bedellium, is found in its natural habitat in central Asia, particularly India. This golden-yellow resin, which is also referred to as guggulu is traditionally used as a medicinal remedy to treat a number of maladies and also alleviate their symptoms. The resin is scrapped from the bark of the Mukul tree and is in the crude form. It undergoes purifying process, where all the impurities are removed and only the gum is left behind. Guggul can be taken in the form of pills, capsules, powder, oil, tea and liquid extract.

Benefits of Guggul Gum

As mentioned above, guggul resin has been used as a herbal medicine to effectively treat illnesses from time immemorial. Guggul gum can be used in the form of extract, capsules and even tea.

• Guggul extract is used in treating degenerative diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatism etc. This anti-inflammatory herb is known to alleviate the pain and reduce the inflammation in the joints.
• Another benefit of guggul is that it aids in proper digestion of food. It stimulates the stomach secretions and acids that assist in complete digestion and assimilation of food.
• It clears the respiratory tract in case of chest congestion by expelling excess mucus and secretions.
• The two forms of guggul - Triphala Guggul and Navaka Guggul are known to control cholesterol and reduce the risk of obesity. They also ensure the smooth functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system and keep numerous health disorders at bay. This resin is also known to aid in weight loss, since it acts as a fat burner.
• Taking appropriate amounts of guggul purifies the blood and removes the toxins from the body. Skin problems due to impure blood are also controlled with the help of this resin.

Guggul Gum Side Effects

Though there are so many benefits of this herbal remedy, uncontrolled use of guggul or its supplements can have a few ill effects on the overall health of an individual

• The side effects can be first observed in the digestive system with the person complaining of abdominal pain, bloating sensation, diarrhea and acid reflux disease. Some individuals may also complain of loss of appetite and nausea induced vomiting.
• Skin rash, or skin irritation, is also a common side effect when the herb is taken beyond its prescribed dose. These rashes may appear as small, itchy red bumps on the arms, neck, face and sometimes even the abdomen and thighs.
• Guggulu gum may also interact with certain drugs and medications that help lower blood cholesterol, anticoagulants, etc. and may have some negative effects on the cardiovascular system like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, etc.
• Pregnant women and lactating mothers should avoid using guggul gum or its extract, as it may cause harm to the child. Individuals who are on thyroid drugs should also avoid taking any form of guggul gum as it may cause unwanted complications.

Guggul has found its way into modern medicine and is used to treat a number of ailments like atherosclerosis, arthritis, high cholesterol, acne and other skin problems. However, indiscriminate use of this herb should be avoided. Get in touch with a herbalist who will guide you in regard to the appropriate herb according to your requirement.