Rasa (Taste)
Tikta, Katu, Madhura, Kashaya
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Guggulu (Indian Bedellium)
Guggulu plant commonly grows in dry and arid regions of Rajasthan, Deccan, Bellary & Mysore.
Medicinal Plant
Guggulu (Indian Bedellium)
Commiphora mukul Hook · Burseraceae
Guggulu plant commonly grows in dry and arid regions of Rajasthan, Deccan, Bellary & Mysore.
Scientific Name
Commiphora mukul Hook
Family
Burseraceae
Hindi Name
Guggal
Used Part
Niryasa (Gum resin)
Botanical Description
About the Guggulu Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Guggulu plant commonly grows in dry and arid regions of Rajasthan, Deccan, Bellary & Mysore. Shrubby, 4 to 6 ft. high. Leaves are 1 to 3 foliate, leaflets sub sessile, 2 cm long and 1 cm wide, rhomboid or ovate shaped, smooth and shining. Flowers are seen in fascicles of 2-3 with very short pedicels and brownish red petals. Fruit is a drupe, becomes red on ripening with 6-8 mm diameter and ovoid in shape.
Seeds are small, ovoid and splitting into two.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Tikshna, Sara, Sukshma, Snigdha, Laghu, Vishada
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Tridosha Shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Medohara, Amavatahara, Pramehahara, Bhagna Sandhanakara, Vrashya, Swarya, Rasayana
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Diuretic, Aphrodiasic, Anti-inflammatory, Antidiabetic
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Z-guggulusterone, E-Guggulusterone, Guggulusterols I, II, III, IV & V, Diterpene alcohol, Myrecene, Dimyrcene, Polymyrcene
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Guggulu
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Guggulu taken with milk is very useful as a Rasayana in all kinds of Vatavyadhi.
02
Regular usage of Guggulu with cow's urine is beneficial in Amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis).
03
Guggulu or Haritaki mixed with urine to be administered in case of Shotha (Oedema).
04
Regular usage of Guggulu, Shilajatu (Bitumen) and honey will cure Vatarakta (Gout).
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Guggulu is a key ingredient.
- Gokshuradi Guggulu, Kanchanara Guggulu,
- Kaishora Guggulu, Trayodashanga Guggulu
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
माधुर्याच्छमंयेद्वातं कषायत्वाच्च पित्तहा । तिक्तत्वाद् कफजित्तेन गुग्गुलुः सर्वदोषहा ।। नवगुग्गुलु पुराणगुग्गुलु गुणकर्म : || (भा.प्र. कर्पूरादि वर्ग 38-41)