GUGGULU-COMMIPHORA MUKUL
Kingdom-plantae
Order-sapindales
Family-burseraceae
Genus-commiphora
Species-commiphora wightii, commiphora mukul, commiphora
roxburghii
In the vedas the mention of guggulu comes with respect to
the demolition of demons and all other evil forces in various rituals
especially using the smoke of this resin(guggulu), so it is also called as
“devadhoopa”. In ayurvedic medicinal texts and in practise, guggulu is a well
known drug for curing rheumatic and neurological disorders called as
vatavyadhis. Reasearches are being carried out about the chemical constituents
of this drug. Among the five varities of guggulu that are found in India
commiphora mukul and commiphora roxburghii are used for medicinal purposes.
Distribution
In India it is harvested mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
But scientists claim to have found out about 165 species of this plant
distributed over Africa and Asia.
Therapeutic Properties according to Ayurveda
Rasa-tikta, katu, madhura (astringent, pungent, sweet to taste
resp’ly)
Guna-laghu, rooksha, teekshna (light to digest, dry or
ununctous, highly potent drug)
Veerya-ushna (hot in nature, or exothermic )
Vipaka-katu (is pungent in action after it is digested )
Description
Shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 4m with
thin papery bark. The branches are thorny. The leaves are simple or trifoliate,
the leaflets ovate 1-5cm long, 0.5 -2.5cm broad, irregularly toothed. It is
gynodiecious, with some plants bearing bisexual and male flowers, and others
with female flowers. The individual flowers are red to pink, with four small
petals.
Chemical composition
Active ingredient in extract is steroid guggulsterone which
acts as antagonists of the farnesoid x receptor one believed to result in
decresed cholestrol synthesis in the liver.
Endangered Species
Because of its medicinal properties, guggul has been over
harvested in much of its habitat, and has been listed on the IUCN RED LIST of
threatened species. Several efforts are in place to address this situation.
Indias National Medicinal Plants board launched a project in Kutch district to
cultivate 500 to 800 hectares of guggul, while a grass roots conservation
movement led by IUCN associate Vineet Soni , has been started to educate guggul
growers and harvestors in safe , sustainable methods.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF GUGGULU ACCORDING TO AYURVEDIC
MATERIA MEDICA
Guggulu is slimy in touch. But it has a non slimy(visada in
ayurveda) effect on the body when used. That is it clears the walls of body
channels of excessive mucous. It is rasayana(nourishing), varnya(gives colour
to skin, cosmetic action), swarya(enhances sound, clears all infections or
inflammations of vocal cord), slakshna(smooth to touch,is not coarse, has got
minute pores). It alleiviates kleda(moisture/mucosity), medas(lipids),
ganda(goitre), apachi(cervical lymphadenitis), krimi(intestinal worms),
pidaka(pimples and other similar eruptions over skin), granthi(abscess),
sotha(oedema), and arssass(piles, especially non bleeding piles).
QUALITIES OF FRESH AND OLD GUGGULU
Fresh guggulu is brmhana and vrsya. Old guggulu is extremely
depleting.
Fresh guggulu is unctous. Golden in colour and looks like a
ripe fruit of jambu. It has fragrance and it is slimy.
Old guggulu on the other hand emits a foul smell and it is
devoid of its natural colour. Old guggulu does not possess the required
potency.
FIVE VARIETIES OF GUGGULU
There are five varieties of guggulu. They are MAHISAKA,
MAHANILA, KUMUDA, PADMA & HIRANYA.
Mahisaka variety ha sthe colour of either bhrnga or anjana.
Mahanila is extremely blue in colour.
Kumuda variety has the colour of a kumuda flower.
Padma variety of guggulu looks red like flesh.
Hiranaksha looks like gold.
Mahisaka and Mahanila- these two varieties of guggulu are
useful in treatment of elephants. Kumuda and Padma varieties is specifically
indicated for human beings.According to some scholars Mahisaka is also useful
for the treatment of human beings.
USAGE OF GUGGULU
Patients using guggulu should refrain from sour things,
sharp things, things that are indigestible, sexual act, exhaustion, exposure to
sun, alcoholic drinks, and anger if he desires to have aprescribed therapeutic
effects of this drug.
THERAPEUTIC USAGES OF GUGGULU
-purified guggulu 1gm + cows milk/curd, 1 b.d = rheumatic
disorders, dyslipidemia, headache, migraine, rhinitis
-gulggulu thikthaka ghrtam(an ayurvedic propreitary
medicene) 15gm b.d. for chronic genital diseases(called guhya rogas), rheumatic
complaints, rheumatic fever, skin diseases.
-smoke of guggulu resin is beneficial in healing of chronic
ulcers
-1gm guggulu powder+triphala (three myrobalans-chebulic,
belleric, embellica officionalis) decoction = chronic ulcers
-MahayogarajaGuggulu, YogarajaGuggulu,
SimhanadaGuggulu, used for various types
of rheumatic complaints
-Gulgguluthikthaka Ghrta, Gulggulu thikthaka Kashaya,
Triphala Guggulu Tab, Rasna Guggulu Tab, Trayodasanga Guggulu Tab, Kaushikadi
lepa are some of the Ayurvedic propreitary medicenes that contain guggulu.
( references : materia medica ayurveda, nesamanis text of medicinal plants, wikipedia. )
