Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Guggulu

Commiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)

Guggulu is a classical Ayurvedic guggulu, a resin-based preparation. IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (2015 assessment) with >80% population decline over 84 years due to unsustainable harvesting and habitat loss.

Key facts
Botanical nameCommiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)
FamilyBurseraceae
OrderSapindales
Ayurvedic categoryMedohara (Anti-obesity), Vata-Kaphahara
Pharmacopoeia statusIUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (2015 assessment) with >80% population decline over 84 years due to unsustainable harvesting and habitat loss. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Government of India has banned export of the species. No specific WHO monograph, but recognized in traditional medicine pharmacopeias. Distribution restricted to dry regions of western India (Rajasthan, Gujarat) and adjoining Pakistan.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3992808 · Wikidata Q901803 · NCBI Taxonomy 246360

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishGuggulu
Common NamesIndian Bdellium, Guggul
HindiGuggul
SanskritGuggulu, Devadhupa
Latin/BotanicalCommiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)

Parts Used

  • Oleo-gum-resin

Dosha Effects

DoshaEffect
VataDecreases
KaphaDecreases
PittaMay Increase

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Guggulsterones (Z & E)
  • Guggulipid
  • Myrrhanol A
  • Muscanone

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Hypolipidemic
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Thyroid stimulant
  • Anti-obesity
  • Anti-arthritic
  • Wound healing

How does it work?

  • Guggulsterone acts as an FXR (farnesoid X receptor) antagonist with IC50s of 17 uM (Z-form) and 15 uM (E-form), with gene-selective modulation capability.
  • Inhibits NF-kB pathway: blocks LPS/IL-1b-induced ICAM-1 expression, NF-kB transcriptional activity, IkB phosphorylation/degradation, NF-kB DNA-binding activity, and IKK activity.
  • Downregulates inflammatory gene products COX-2 and MMP-9 (key players in arthritis development).
  • Regulates multiple transcription factors: NF-kB, STAT3, C/EBPalpha, androgen receptor, and glucocorticoid receptors.
  • Complex resin composition includes volatile oils, terpenoid constituents, minerals, amino acids, polysaccharides, and steroidal derivatives.
  • Hypolipidemic action mediated through FXR antagonism affecting bile acid metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis.

How is it used traditionally?

Sushruta Samhita has an entire chapter (Guggulu Kalpa) dedicated to it. Described in Charaka as Medohara (fat-reducing). Base for many compound formulations.

Where is it described in the classical texts?

  • Charaka Samhita
  • Sushruta Samhita (Guggulu Kalpa)
  • Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
  • Sharangadhara Samhita

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. Classical formulations are researched largely in journals that PubMed does not index, so an absence here reflects the reach of the index rather than the state of the evidence.

Recent safety updates

  • Decreases serum concentration of diltiazem and propranolol - monitor therapy when co-administered.
  • Decreases effects of levothyroxine and desiccated thyroid by pharmacodynamic antagonism.
  • 1 g guggulipid decreased bioavailability of propranolol and diltiazem in healthy male volunteers.
  • Avoid with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A4 metabolism without medical guidance.
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and active liver disease.
  • Side effects in clinical trials (2160 mg/day for 12 weeks): 10 of 22 individuals experienced gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, skin rash.
  • Other reported side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, belching, and hiccups.
  • Used safely in clinical trials up to 24 weeks, with some evidence of safety up to 75 weeks.
  • Commercial products often contain less or no claimed guggulsterone content - standardization of herbal products warranted.
  • Recommend rechecking lipids and liver enzymes at 8-12 weeks when using therapeutically.

Purified guggulu: 500mg-2g/day; Guggulsterones: 25mg three times daily

Safety, contraindications and cautions

  • Pregnancy
  • Diarrhea
  • Liver disease
  • Thyroid medications (interaction)
  • Estrogen-based contraceptives

What is it made of?

Part(s) Analyzed: Oleo-gum resin

Steroidal Compounds (Guggulsterones)

  • Z-Guggulsterone (2-5%)
  • E-Guggulsterone (1-3%)
  • Guggulsterol I-V

Terpenoids

  • Myrrhanone A
  • Myrrhanol A
  • Cembrene A
  • Allylcembrol

Lignans

  • Sesamin
  • Guggullignan I-II

Essential Oil Components

  • Eugenol
  • Cineole
  • Limonene

Analytical Methods: HPLC-UV (guggulsterones E & Z), GC-MS (volatile fraction), TLC

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Shuddha Guggulu (purified resin), Guggulu tablets, Capsules (modern)

Standard Dosage: 250-500 mg (Shuddha Guggulu) twice daily, as per AFI Part I

Bioavailability: Guggulsterones are lipophilic and moderately absorbed orally (~40-50%). Act as yogavahi (biocarrier) — enhance bioavailability of co-administered drugs. Triphala kwath Shodhana adds gallic acid and tannins that modulate absorption. Resin matrix provides sustained release.

Optimal Timing: After meals, twice daily

Shelf Life: 5 years from date of manufacture as per ASU guidelines

Storage: Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Becomes very hard if dried excessively — maintain optimal moisture. Temperature not exceeding 30°C.

Marker Compounds: Z-Guggulsterone, E-Guggulsterone, Guggulsterol I, Guggulsterol II, Guggulsterol III, Myrrhanol A

Quality Parameters: Z-guggulsterone and E-guggulsterone content by HPLC (NLT 2.5% combined), total extractive value, acid value, volatile oil content, ash value, moisture (<12%), foreign organic matter (<2%), HPTLC fingerprint, microbial limits, heavy metals

Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water, or specific kashayam as directed

Synergistic Combinations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Donato F, Raffetti E, Toninelli G and others. 2021. Guggulu and Triphala for the Treatment of Hypercholesterolaemia: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomised TrialComplementary medicine research. PMID 33242870 · doi:10.1159/000510985

Other clinical studies and reviews8

  1. Ganamurali N, Devarajan M, Sabarathinam S. 2026. Guggulsterone, a Classical Lipid-Lowering Phytosteroidal FXR Antagonist, as a Modulator of Lipid Signaling and Metabolic Reprogramming in CancerLipids. PMID 41326956 · doi:10.1002/lipd.70030
  2. Sahu A, Rathee S, Jain SK and others. 2024. Exploring the Promising Role of Guggulipid in Rheumatoid Arthritis Management: An In-depth AnalysisCurrent rheumatology reviews. PMID 38284718 · doi:10.2174/0115733971280984240101115203
  3. Ahmad MA, Mujeeb M, Akhtar M and others. 2020. Guggulipid: A Promising Multi-Purpose Herbal Medicinal AgentDrug research. PMID 32110820 · doi:10.1055/a-1115-4669
  4. Cunningham AB, Brinckmann JA, Kulloli RN and others. 2018. Rising trade, declining stocks: The global gugul (Commiphora wightii) tradeJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 29746995 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.040
  5. Shishodia S, Azu N, Rosenzweig JA and others. 2016. Guggulsterone for Chemoprevention of CancerCurrent pharmaceutical design. PMID 26561056 · doi:10.2174/1381612822666151112153117
  6. Yamada T, Sugimoto K. 2016. Guggulsterone and Its Role in Chronic DiseasesAdvances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 27771932 · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41342-6_15
  7. Rastogi S, Pandey MM, Rawat AK. 2016. Traditional herbs: a remedy for cardiovascular disordersPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 26656228 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.012
  8. Sarup P, Bala S, Kamboj S. 2015. Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Oleo-Gum Resin of Commiphora wightii (Guggulu)Scientifica. PMID 26587309 · doi:10.1155/2015/138039

Laboratory and animal studies3

  1. Aziz N, Wal P, Singh Basra G and others. 2026. Neuroprotection Through Nature: The Role of Bioactive Phytocompounds in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's DiseaseCurrent neurovascular research. PMID 42316568 · doi:10.2174/0115672026450208260330055837
  2. Srivastava V, Raj R, Ganeshpurkar A and others. 2026. Commiphora wightii and its formulations extenuate macrophage-mediated inflammatory pathology in osteoarthritisJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 42485742 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2026.101370
  3. Sukhdeve AA, Shetty YC, Chawda M and others. 2025. Evaluation of the Effect of Commiphora wightii and Asthiposhak in Experimental Rat Model of OsteoarthritisCureus. PMID 41122625 · doi:10.7759/cureus.92597

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