Commiphora mukul (Guggul or Guggal)
Did you know that Commiphora mukul called Guggul or Guggal in Sanskrit is a flowering plant, and 'Guggul' means "one that protects against diseases"?
The Commiphora mukul, also Commiphora wightii, both botanical names in the family of Burseraceae, with the Sanskrit name Guggul or Guggal, is a flowering plant which may be a shrub or small tree. It is native to India (mostly to Western India in Rajasthan and Gujarat), Pakistan and Bangladesh, Asia and Africa, found seasonally in dry tropical areas. Its other common names are Indian bdellium-tree, gugal, and mukul myrrh tree. In fact, Guggulu is an oleo-gum resin (fragrant resin) exudate obtained from the stem (sap or bark) of the plant. In Sanskrit 'guggulu' means "one that protects against diseases". Guggulu, a niryasa (natural exudation), has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine since 600 BC. It is listed now as an important endangered therapeutic plant species, and consequently the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has enlisted it in its IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Commiphora mukul is a small thorny tree (4 to 6 feert tall), generally leafless. The leaves however, when seen are simple or trifoliate, the leaflets ovate, 1–5 cm (0.39–1.97 in) long, 0.5–2.5 cm (0.20–0.98 in) broad, and irregularly toothed. It is gynodioecious, with some plants bearing bisexual and male flowers, and others with female flowers. The individual flowers are red to pink, with four small petals. The small round fruit are red when ripe. Its bark is ash-coloured which flakes off into papery flakes showing green coloured bark undernath that produces fragrant resin; Guggulu resin is collected by tapping the tree and making an incision on the bark. which results in a yellowish resin. The main uses of the plant are as resin, essential oils, steroids, and gum. The plant prefers arid and semi-arid climates and is tolerant of poor soil.
The main chemical constituents of guggul include phytosterols, gugulipids and the ketonic steroid compound (guggulsterones) mainly E and Z gugguisterones. These are responsible for the lipid lowering effects of guggul.
Guggulu's use is documented in Sushruta Samhita and is used only one year after its collection. The gum exuded by the guggul tree is similar to myrrh, and has been used traditionally in the same ways as myrrh. There are five different varieties of Guggulu described in the Ayurvedic texts. However, two of the varieties, namely, Mahishaksa and Kanaka Guggulu are usually preferred for medicinal preparations. Mahiṣhaksa Guggulu is dark greenish brown and Kanaka Guggulu is yellowish brown in color.
Guggulu gum is bitter, acrid, aromatic, pungent, carminative and stomachic stimulating the appetite and improving digestion. It is astringent, expectorant, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, antiinflammatory, diuretic, depurative, anodyne, vulnerary, themogenic, antiseptic, nervine tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulant, emmenagogue and diaphoretic. It also possesses strong purifying and rejuvenating properties and is said to be a uterine stimulant.
Therapeutic uses of Guggulu in Indian Ayurvedic medicine are for treatment of high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and weight loss in people who are obese or overweight. Guggulsterone is the active constituent responsible for its therapeutic activity. Invivo, invitro and clinical studies conducted to evaluate the pharmacological, phytochemical, and morphological profile of the herb, have revealed that guggul contain flavonoids, terpenes, phytosterols etc. producing number of biological activities like anti-inflammatory, and antiobesity.
The Guggulu gum is also used as dhoop, an incense in India, that produces a fragrant, dense smoke. It is avaialble in the market also in the form of incense sticks and dhoop cones which can be burned directly.
- Narasipur Char
