Guggul Gum

Guggul Gum- Also known as- Commiphora mukul, Guggulipid, Indian Bedellium, and Guggulow

Guggul, the Commiphora mukul, is a small thorny tree that is native to the Middle East. Generally leafless, the tree exudes a thick, sticky resin that has been used in

Traditional Persian medicine for centuries to treat arthritis, acne, inflammation, obesity and depression.  Guggulipids and guggul sterones derived from the resinous gum are the most widely used medications for treating high cholesterol in where most research has been done on Guggul. The gum exuded by the Guggul tree is similar to myrrh, and has been used traditionally in the same ways as myrrh.

Guggul gum seems to be living up to its traditional medicinal uses. Studies in India have shown that guggulsterones stimulate the thyroid gland, which may be the explanation for its ability to reduce cholesterol and aid in weight loss. Those studies have shown that guggulsterone is at least as effective in improving the cholesterol profile as the leading pharmaceutical prescriptions. It was traditionally combined with other herbs for the treatment of arthritis, skin diseases, pains in the nervous system, obesity, digestive problems, mouth infections, and menstrual problems.  Preparations made with Guggul gum also can be as effective at reducing inflammation and relieving pain as ibuprofen, and may be as effective at fighting infection as Antibiotics  in treating acne.  Other research has shown that myrrhanol A, a triterpene isolated from Guggul gum, is a potent anti-inflammatory, and significantly reduces pain and stiffness in patients with osteoarthritis.