Guggul is considered an important therapeutic agent in Ayurvedic medicine. In Ayurveda, the resin is viewed as reducing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, balancing all three Doshas. It is used both internally and externally for a wide variety of complaints. In this article, you will gain insight into the effects of Guggul and the production of Ayurvedic herbal-spice pellets, the Guggulu.
The Most Important at a Glance
- Guggul is obtained by incising the bark of the Indian balsam tree.
- In Ayurveda, Guggul is rarely used alone, but in combination with other herbs.
- Guggul has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties.
- Application may cause skin redness or digestive discomfort.
- There are various Guggulu preparations with different effects.
How Guggul Resin is Obtained
Like other resins, for example frankincense, Guggul is obtained by incising the bark of the Indian balsam tree. The resin is collected and then air-dried. Other names for the resin-producing plant are Commiphora mukul, Commiphora wightii, and Indian myrrh. The fragrant resin is very closely related to true myrrh – one of the gifts of the three wise men from the East at Christmas. Guggul is a powerfully balsamic-smelling yellow-brownish gum resin that is mainly used in our latitudes in incense blends.
Effects of Guggul in Ayurveda
Literally translated, Guggul in Sanskrit means "the remedy that protects against disease". In classical Ayurvedic textbooks, its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects are especially described. In the birthplace of Ayurveda, it is primarily used for joint complaints such as rheumatism, arthrosis, and arthritis. But Ayurvedic physicians also use it for overweight, high cholesterol levels, arteriosclerosis, cysts, and abscesses due to its "scraping out" properties (lekhana) – this tissue-cleansing remedy.
The Use of Guggul in Ayurvedic Medicine
In Ayurveda, Guggul is virtually never used alone, but always in combination with other herbs and spices. You can use it either internally or externally.
Possible Reactions and Irritations from Internal and External Use of Guggul
It is possible that reactions may occur in individual cases from both external and internal use. Poultices can cause significant skin redness. If a rash also develops, the application must be discontinued and the skin rubbed with ghee for cooling.
In cases of very strong Pitta, taking Guggulu pellets may cause digestive discomfort. Rarely, allergic reactions such as skin rashes may occur. Good to know: The complaints usually disappear quite quickly after discontinuing the remedies.
External Treatment with Guggul Lepa
A highly effective external application method is the so-called Guggul Lepas (poultices or compresses). In a study at Berlin's Charité hospital, the application of Guggul Lepa in the treatment of knee joint arthrosis showed great success. You will find instructions for making a herbal compress with Guggul and other spices in our blog.
Internal Treatment – Guggulu for Ingestion
For internal use, the resin is shaped into small pellets with different herbs and spices depending on the application need. These small spice-herbal pellets on a myrrh base are accordingly called Guggulu in Ayurveda. Good to know: The sticky resin eliminates the need for binders and fillers, such as those usually used in tablet production.
Production and Intake of Guggulu
For the production of Guggulu, the corresponding herbs, spices, and fruits are ground very finely. The mixture is boiled with eight times the amount of water and reduced while simmering. The liquid is then filtered. The concentrate obtained is stirred with finely ground myrrh resin and reduced again over heat until a soft mass forms. To keep the mass pliable, a little ghee is now added to it. Now pellets approximately three millimeters in size can be formed and air-dried.
When taking Guggulu internally, the pellets that have become hard through drying must be chewed before you can take them with warm water. The usual dose is 3-5 Guggulu, 2-3 times daily, depending on the preparation. Three Guggulu correspond to approximately 1g.
What Guggulu for Ingestion are Available?
There are various Guggulu preparations that have different effects in Ayurveda depending on the herbs, fruits, or spices they contain.
Triphala Guggulu – Simple and Effective
The most well-known Guggulu preparation is Triphala Guggulu, a mixture of three myrobalan fruits – Amalaki, Haritaki, and Bhibitaki – plus long pepper. This is mixed with ghee and myrrh resin to form the Guggulu. Here, the scraping cleansing effect predominates; at the same time, it is considered a Rasayana, meaning a strengthening and rejuvenating remedy.
Yogaraja Guggulu – Brings Warmth from Within
Yogaraja Guggulu contains mainly Agni-stimulating and Ama-expelling herbs and spices. This means that according to Ayurveda, they stimulate the digestive fire and expel metabolic waste. These include, for example, Triphala, galangal, ajwain, black and long pepper, as well as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and so on. As individual spices, cinnamon and galangal are accordingly recommended for loss of appetite or bloating, ginger for preventing nausea and vomiting, and cardamom for digestive problems. Yogaraja literally means approximately "King of Yoga".
Kanchanara Guggulu – With Many Beautiful Blossoms
The namesake ingredient of Kanchanara Guggulu is the orchid tree Bauhinia variegata. Other important components are Triphala, an important mixture in Ayurveda consisting of Amla, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki, as well as ginger and cinnamon. In Ayurveda, Kanchanara Guggulu is called mudra-la, meaning it promotes water elimination.
Gokshuradee Guggulu with Puncture Vine
The puncture vine Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) gives Gokshuradee Guggulu its name. Eastern and Western medicine largely agree on the diuretic effect of puncture vine. In Ayurveda, Gokshura is also considered Vata-reducing. Although the WHO considers Gokshura use safe, it is recommended as a precaution to avoid taking puncture vine preparations during pregnancy and nursing. Gokshuradee Guggulu also contains Trikatu, an Ama-reducing and Agni-stimulating mixture consisting of long pepper, black pepper, and ginger.
Chandraprabha Guggulu - Moonlight in a Pellet
The name Chandraprabha means approximately "Moon-Light" in English. Its components have a cleansing effect on the body channels (Srotas) and are described as lekhana (scraping). Chandraprabha Guggulu therefore contains many digestive-promoting, diuretic, and astringent spices and plants such as cinnamon, cardamom, dill, ginger, camphor, and so on. Other components such as Coscinium fenestratum or camphor have detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects.
Kaishora Guggulu – Simply Always Good
Kaishora means something like youth – Kaishora Guggulu is my Ayurveda professor's favorite remedy in India. His application recommendation for this mixture was "all, all" – always helps, never harms. It contains, among other things, Amla, dark brown and green myrobalans, which together form the Ayurvedic mixture Triphala. Kaishora is primarily used for rakta-dhatu, one of the seven tissue layers in Ayurveda. It is Pitta- and Vata-reducing and, due to the contained ginger and pepper types, Agni-stimulating.
When is Which Guggulu Used?
Important: Please discuss the use of Guggulu personally with your Ayurvedic physician. Before taking any Ayurvedic remedy, it is essential to obtain a thorough Ayurvedic diagnosis. During use, supportive lifestyle management is recommended. This includes, in particular, eliminating the causes of disease and, if necessary, dietary adjustments. Any suggestions from comments should definitely be discussed with your Ayurvedic doctor before use.
