Guggul (Commiphora mukul, Commiphora wightii, Guggal, Mukul myrrh tree) is an Indian Ayurvedic herb that is used to treat acne, arthritis, and high cholesterol.
Guggul Treats Acne
Guggul can be used to treat some types of acne. Researchers in the University of Maryland Medical Center have confirmed that the herb has positive results in acne treatment. It reduces swelling of acne, and decreases redness (inflammation) and the number of acne outbreaks. Another study performed by the researchers in the Department of Dermatology in Jaipur, India reported that the participants either received tetracycline or gugulipid two times a day for three months, and the results shown that, tetracycline reduced acne lesions for 65% and gugulipid 68%.
For treating acne, you can take a guggul supplement. A tablet containing 25 milligrams of guggulsterone is recommended to take by mouth, twice daily for six weeks.
Guggul Treats Arthritis
Guggul is also used to treat arthritis. Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that taking the herb might relieving arthritis pain. Guggul is similar to myrrh, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine for pain relief and blood flow, thus for arthritis treatment.
For treating arthritis, you can take 500 milligrams of guggul extract by mouth, three times daily with food. Or take three grams of the herb by mouth daily for four months.
Guggul Treats High Cholesterol
Guggul is widely used in India and believed to combat high cholesterol. It is said that the herb normalizes lipids. Guggul seems to work in Indian populations. Indian scientists found that among the group who eat a different type of diet in India, guggul seems to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides (blood fats). But interestingly, the herb seems no effective in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides of people eating a Western diet.
For treating high cholesterol, take 4 grams of guggul by mouth, twice a day for three months. Or take the supplement 25-2,000 milligrams of guggulsterone, 2 times daily for two months. Or take the supplement 50-500 milligrams of guggulipid 2 times daily for three months.
Guggul is sold in raw resin or in forms of tablets or capsules. You may find it in an Indian grocery store or a health supplement store.
Please note, guggul should not be used for the women who is in pregnancy or have heavy menstruation, nor for the people who have bleeding conditions, due to its strong blood-moving effect.
