Guggul Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Guggul is an herbal extract derived from the Commiphora mukul tree (mukul myrrh tree). The mukul myrrh tree is a small plant native to India. Guggul natural remedy is made from the yellowish gum resin of the stem of the tree.^{1 2} Guggul extract has been used for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ancient Indian healers used guggul to treat many types of conditions. Today, guggul extracts are used in modern treatments for weight loss or other purposes.^{1 2}

Guggul Health Uses and Health Benefits

Guggul benefits appear to come from its content of a plant sterol called guggulsterone. Guggulsterone has natural natural anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic properties, making it an effective treatment for a number of conditions.¹ Some of the known guggul benefits for health include:^{1 2}

• Lowering triglyceride levels
• Reducing bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol
• Treating cystic acne
• Treating diabetes
• Improving osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions
• Elevating mood
• Managing obesity
• Preventing atherosclerosis
• Stimulating thyroid function
• Balancing estrogen, pregnane and progesterone production
• Improving hemorrhoids
• Treating urinary tract infections

Guggul uses for improved health and disease prevention include:

• Hypothyroidism - Guggul helps to stimulate thyroid function, which is beneficial to those suffering from hypothyroidism—a condition that causes an underactive thyroid.
• Overweight - Guggul helps to treat overweight in a number of ways such as by stimulating metabolic function.
• Gynecomastia - Guggul benefits include influencing estrogen receptors, which may help to treat gynecomastia—a condition that causes enlarged breast tissue in men.
• Obesity - Guggul uses include being a supportive treatment for obesity. Guggul has proven to help induce weight loss in adults.
• Peripheral Artery (Vascular Disease) - One of the traditional guggul uses has been for helping to treat vascular disease by reducing plaque buildup in the arteries. This can help promote healthy circulation in the arteries and reduce symptoms of PAD.

Guggul Side Effects and Precautions

Guggul side effects may include nausea, loose stools and headaches. In some people, guggul side effects may also include skin rash, stomach pain and anorexia. It is not advised to use guggul extract if you already have chronic diarrhea or suffer from liver disease or inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Do not take guggul if you are already taking thyroid medications or are on blood-thinning medications.¹

References

1. http://www.livestrong.com/article/298598-role-of-guggul-extract-in-weight-loss/
2. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2104008