GUGGULU

Description

The plant grows wild in the arid, rocky tracts, also in low rainy and hot areas. Commiphora wightii grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 4 m (13 ft), with thin papery bark. The branches are thorny. The leaves 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. The part used in medicinal preparation is resin, collected by tapping the barks. Guggulu deserves high values in Ayurvedic medicines.

Chemical constituents:
Guggulu contains diterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, long-chain aliphatic tetrols, aliphatic esters, ferulates, lignans, carbohydrates, and a variety of inorganic ions besides minor amounts of sesamin and other unidentified constituents.

Properties:
Guggul is a very important herb in the Ayurvedic tradition. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it helps to balance all three doshas of vata, pitta, and kapha, though it is especially renowned for alleviating vata aggravations
Rasa –Tikta (bitter ), Katu(pungent)
Guna –Laghu (light to digest ),Rooksha (dryness ), Vishada ( bring clarity and clear channels ),Sookshama (minute )
Vipaka –Katu
Veerya –ushna

Benefits:
1-Promotes detoxification and rejuvenation: With an ability to scrape away accumulated toxins from the body’s channels, guggulu is often used when detoxification is desired. At the same time, it helps to rejuvenate healthy tissues.
2-Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range: Guggul has a remarkable ability to support balanced cholesterol levels. In addition, guggul promotes supple arteries and tonifies the heart.
3-Supports healthy digestion: Thanks to its stimulating and heating nature, guggulu helps to kindle the digestive fire and promote the body’s natural digestive capacity.
4-Promotes healthy weight management: Guggulu supports healthy weight by working to remove accumulated natural toxins and excessive build-up of tissue. It also assists with the digestion of oils and fats, thereby supporting weight management in a number of ways.
5-Supports comfortable movement of the joints: Guggulu’s scraping and detoxifying qualities act to clear toxins from the joints that can lead to discomfort. It simultaneously lubricates and rejuvenates the tissues within and around the joints, helping to promote comfortable movement within these delicate spaces.
Contraindication:
Bleeding disorders: Guggulu can slow blood clotting. This might cause bleeding or bruising in people with bleeding disorders. Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Guggulu might act like estrogen in the body.