The Guggul Herb

Commiphora mukul

The Guggul herb has other names that it is known by such as, Gum guggulu, Gugulipid and Indian bedellium.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Mukul myrrh tree is small to medium-sized, thorny tree found throughout India.

The yellowish resin that exudes from the trunk or bottom of the tree is called guggul and gum guggulu. This resin is also the source of the modern extracts of the guggul herb.

In India the sticky gum resin taken from the tree was combined with other herbs for treating arthritis, skin diseases, pains in the nervous system, obesity, digestive problems, infections in the mouth and menstrual problems.

A resin from a related tree of Guggul, the Commiphora myrrha, is the myrrh mentioned in the Bible as one of the gifts the wise men from the East brought to the infant Jesus.

The United States is just now beginning to pay attention to the guggul herb because of its reputation for lowering cholesterol.

POTENIAL BENEFITS:

* helps liver to process cholesterol

* boost the functioning of the thyroid gland

* prevents buildup of plaque on artery walls

* raises the good cholesterol (HDL)

* lowers the bad cholesterol (LDL)

* cleanse blood vessels

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* acne

* lowering blood cholesterol levels

* weight loss

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE

Over the counter:Guggul can be purchased as a tincture and as a standardized extract in tablet or capsule form in health food stores. You will find the this herb in combinations with other heart-healthy supplements.

Tablet or capsule: A common dose of guggul is 25 mg of guggulsterones three times a day before meals.

Parts used: Resin

Constituents: Z and E guggulsterones, myrcene, alpha-camphorene, makulol, essential oils, gum, resin

SIDE EFFECTS: * None is know at this time, but more research is being done.

CAUTION:

Use with caution if you:

* are pregnant

* have Crohn’s disease

* taking beta-blockers

* have irritable bowel syndrome

* have liver disease

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

* There is scientific evidence to show that Gugulipipd produced a 27% drop in over all cholesterol after just four weeks.

* Guggul and garlic combined, work better than guggul by itself.

* For best results in lowering your cholesterol, it is important to also increase your exercise and eat a heart-healthy diet.

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