Commiphora wightii Guggul Guggulu

Traditional Uses of Guggulu

Guggulu has a long history of use in Ayurveda. The Atharvaveda is the earliest reference containing its medicinal and therapeutic properties. Detailed description regarding its actions, uses, and indications and the varieties of guggul have been described in numerous Ayurvedic treatises including Charaka Samhita (1000 B.C.), Sushruta Samhita (600 B.C.) and Vagbhata (7th century A.D.). In addition, various medical lesions were written between the 12th and 14th centuries A.D.. Guggulu has been used to treat obesity, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, facial paralysis, sciatica, constipation, haemorrhoids, liver disorders, inflammation, cyst, cervical lymphadenitis, coronary thrombosis, anaemia, diabetes, urinary calculus, increased frequency and turbidity of urine, and skin diseases.

It has a wide range of usefulness in indigenous medicine. It is astringent and antiseptic and acts as a bitter, stomachic, and carminative when taken internally. Like all oleo resins, it causes increase in number of leucocytes and stimulates phagocytosis. It acts as a diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, uterine stimulant, and emmenagogue. The resin is used in the form of lotion for indolent ulcers and as a gargle in caries, spongy gums, pyorrhea, chronic tonsillitis, and ulcerated throat. Inhalation of the fumes from burnt guggulu is recommended in hay fever, acute and chronic nasal catarrh, chronic laryngitis, chronic bronchitis, and phthisis. It is an ingredient of ointment for ulcers.

Source: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/scientifica/2015/138039/

• It is a source of Indian bedellium gum- a fragrant gum-resin obtained from stem. 
• In local medicines it is used as an antiseptic on old wounds, as urine stimulant, in the treatment of ulcer and pyorrhea. 
• The drug is also used as expectorant, carminative and demulcent. 
• The smoke from the burning guggal is inhaled to cure bronchial infections. 
• The powder of stem bark is used to cure leucorrhoea. 
• The young branches are also used as tooth brushes. 
• The gum resin is hypolipdaemic, hypocholesterolemic and anti-rheumatoid arthritis.

Source: Medicinal Plants in the Indian Arid Zone, March 2005, Director Central Arid Zone Research Institute Jodhpur 342 003

Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks) Engl.

Habit - Herb

Parts used - Gum

Application - Rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment - Genera

References - Mallikarjuna 2015

Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandar

Habit - Shrub

Parts used - Gum

Application - Cough; lung congestion

Treatment - General

References - Meena and Yadav 2010