guggul

Commiphora wightii is known with a name, Guggulu or Indian bdellium. It belongs to Burseraceae family that contain both trees and shrubs. This is a kind of small tree, grows up to 6 m with spiral, brown colored ascending branches ending in sharp scented spines. This plant has shiny, yellowish white barks that comes off in rough scales exposing under bark of green color. This under bark also seals off in the form of papery rolls. Guggul is the name given to a yellow color resin produced by its stem.

Plant leaves are of small shape with quadrilateral, vessel like structure, present one to three in number. These plants have shiny green on the top, leathery and greyish below with irregular edges. Flowers are unisexual, small, of brown red color, sessile with oblong-ovoid ovary. These can present either in group of two to three or single. Fruits of these plants are of ovoid shape, reddish colored with six to eight mm in diameter. Seeds contain an under developed embryo. Their generic name is derived from Greek word kommis and phora which means gum bearer.

Classification

Habitat

The Commiphora wightii or Guggulu is distributed in the rocky tracts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Mysore in India. Sindh and Baluchistan of Pakistan. Earlier this plant grew abundant in Gujarat and Rajasthan but now days mainly develop in kachchh and saurashtra regions of Gujarat.

Vernacular Names

Ayurvedic properties

Effects on Doshas

Guggulu herb balances all three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Practical Uses of Guggulu

• It is well known and popular medicine for vata disorders. Guggul is useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, facial paralysis, hemiplegia and gout etc.
• Guggulu is useful in constipation, liver diseases, loss of appetite, piles and worms.
• It is a cardiac tonic as helps to increase hemoglobin, leucocyte count and thus enhances blood quality and power.
• The herb is useful in chronic cough and asthma.
• This help to treat dysuria and gonorrhea.
• It increases sexual power and useful in impotency, dysmenorrhea, leucorrhoea and other gynecological diseases like infertility.
• Fresh guggul is very helpful in weakness and loss of weight.
• Old guggulu is useful in diabetes and obesity.
• It is very good herbal remedy in obesity and diseases of vata-kapha.
• This herb also helps in digestion of oil and ghee.
• It enhances complexion and useful in many other skin diseases.
• Guggulu is helpful in treatment of thyroid.

Part Used

Gum

Cautions

• Persons with problems like gastritis, diarrhea and dysentery should take precaution, while using Guggulu.
• While taking its medications, best to avoid sour tasting food, indigestion, alcohol consumption, anger, strong physical activity and excessive sun exposure.