Guggul

Parts Used & Where Grown

The mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree is a small, thorny plant distributed throughout India. Guggul and gum guggulu are the names given to a yellowish resin produced by the stem of the plant. This resin has been used historically and is also the source of modern extracts of guggul.

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This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
High Triglycerides	25 mg guggulsterones three times per day	Clinical trials indicate that guggul is effective in treating high triglycerides, in one trial, serum triglycerides fell by 30.3%.
High Triglycerides 25 mg guggulsterones three times per day Guggul, a mixture of ketonic steroids from the gum oleoresin of Commiphora mukul, is an approved treatment of hyperlipidemia in India and has been a mainstay of Ayurvedic herbal approaches to preventing atherosclerosis. Clinical trials indicate that guggul is effective in the treatment of high TGs; in one trial, serum TGs fell by 30.3%.¹ However, these results have not been confirmed by large, controlled trials. The recommended daily intake of guggul is typically based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. The recommended amount of guggulsterones is 25 mg three times per day. Most extracts contain 5–10% guggulsterones. Guggul’s effect on TGs should be monitored for three to four months, and guggul may be taken long term if successful in lowering TGs. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Acne Vulgaris	500 mg extract twice per day	A controlled trial found that guggul (Commiphora mukul) compared favorably to tetracycline in treating cystic acne.
Acne Vulgaris 500 mg extract twice per day One controlled trial found that guggul (Commiphora mukul) compared favorably to tetracycline in the treatment of cystic acne.² The amount of guggul extract taken in the trial was 500 mg twice per day. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
High Cholesterol	25 mg guggulsterones three times per day	Guggul appears to be helpful in lowering cholesterol and raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
High Cholesterol 25 mg guggulsterones three times per day Guggul, a mixture of substances taken from a plant, is an approved treatment for elevated cholesterol in India and has been a mainstay of the Ayurvedic approach to preventing atherosclerosis. One double-blind trial studying the effects of guggul reported that serum cholesterol dropped by 17.5%.³ In another double-blind trial comparing guggul to the drug clofibrate, the average fall in serum cholesterol was slightly greater in the guggul group; moreover, HDL cholesterol rose in 60% of people responding to guggul, while clofibrate did not elevate HDL.⁴ A third double-blind trial found significant changes in total and LDL cholesterol levels, but not in HDL.⁵ However, in another double-blind trial, supplementation with guggul for eight weeks had no effect on total serum cholesterol, but significantly increased LDL-cholesterol levels, compared with a placebo.⁶ Daily intakes of guggul are based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. The recommended amount of guggulsterones is 25 mg taken three times per day. Most extracts contain 5 to 10% guggulsterones, and doctors familiar with their use usually recommend taking guggul for at least 12 weeks before evaluating its effect. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Osteoarthritis	500 mg of a concentrated extract (3.5% guggulsterones) three times per day	In one trial, supplementing with guggul significantly improved symptoms in people with OA of the knee.
Osteoarthritis 500 mg of a concentrated extract (3.5% guggulsterones) three times per day In a preliminary trial, supplementation with 500 mg of a concentrated extract (3.5% guggulsterones) of Commiphora mukul (guggul) three times per day for one month resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms in people with OA of the knee.⁷ Double-blind trials are needed to rule out the possibility of a placebo effect. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Obesity	Refer to label instructions	Coupled with exercise, a combination of guggul, phosphate salts, hydroxycitrate, and tyrosine was shown in one study to improve mood and weight loss in overweight adults.
Obesity Coupled with exercise in a double-blind trial, a combination of guggul, phosphate salts, hydroxycitrate, and tyrosine has been shown to improve mood with a slight tendency to improve weight loss in overweight adults.⁸ Daily recommendations for guggul are typically based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. A common intake of guggulsterones is 25 mg three times per day. Most guggul extracts contain 5 to 10% guggulsterones and can be taken daily for 12 to 24 weeks. Learn More

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

The classical treatise on Ayurvedic medicine, Sushrita Samhita, describes the use of guggul for a wide variety of conditions, including rheumatism and obesity. One of its primary indications was a condition known as medoroga. This ancient diagnosis is similar to the modern description of atherosclerosis. Standardized guggul extracts are approved in India for lowering elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Also indexed as:

botanicals,
Commiphora mukul,
guggul,
herbal dietary supplements,
herbal medicine,
herbal remedies,
herbal therapy,
herbalism,
plant Medicine

About this treatment

Common names:

Gugulipid, Gum Guggulu

Botanical names:

Commiphora mukul

How It Works

Guggul contains resin, volatile oils, and gum. The extract isolates ketonic steroid compounds known as guggulsterones. These compounds have been shown to provide the cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering actions noted for guggul. Guggul significantly lowers serum triglycerides and cholesterol as well as LDL and VLDL cholesterols (the “bad” cholesterols). At the same time, it raises levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol). As antioxidants, guggulsterones keep LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, an action which protects against atherosclerosis. Guggul has also been shown to reduce the stickiness of platelets—another effect that lowers the risk of coronary artery disease. One double-blind trial found guggul extract similar to the drug clofibrate for lowering cholesterol levels. Other clinical trials in India (using 1,500 mg of extract per day) have confirmed guggul extracts improve lipid levels in humans.

A combination of guggul, phosphate salts, hydroxycitrate, and tyrosine coupled with exercise has been shown in a double-blind trial to improve mood with a slight tendency to improve weight loss in overweight adults.

One small clinical trial found that guggul (Commiphora mukul) compared favorably to tetracycline in the treatment of cystic acne. The amount of guggul extract taken in the trial was 500 mg twice per day.

How to Use It

Daily recommendations for the purified guggul extract are typically based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. A common intake of guggulsterones is 25 mg three times per day. Most extracts contain 2.5–5% guggulsterones and can be taken daily for lowering high cholesterol and/or triglycerides.

Interactions

Last Review: 05-11-2011

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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