Guggul gum.
Guggul is an extraction of a gum resin, produced by the commiphora mukul tree. This is a small, thorny plant that is found in Northern India.  Guggul is also known as bedellium, guggal or gugulu and it plays a central role in the Indian traditional herbal medicine. For instance, along with other herbs, it is used for treatment of indigestion, arthritis, acne and obesity.
An increased interest has been focused on the lowering bad cholesterol properties of guggul, since in the '60s, when Indian archeologists discovered an ancient Sanskrit text describing how this herbal remedy can treat an illness which involves the hardening of arteries. Ever since, several studies have been taken place in India and researchers have found that guggul gum can decrease bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and contribute to prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Although the evidence is still under scrutiny, the Indian government has been already convinced and approved guggul to be prescribed for high cholesterol treatment. It is believed that the guggul gum extract has similar effect to conventional medications and may lower blood cholesterol levels by 20%. There is a speculation that this result is reached by the excretion of cholesterol and bile. Other studies have shown a beneficial link between the use of guggul gum and effective relief of arthritis symptoms and treatment of acne. The herbal extract may enhance the synthesis and the secretion of thyroid hormones. It may also improve immunity but further research is required for these matters.
Guggul used to be available in an unrefined, powdered form. Nowadays, guggul gum can be found as a purified extract in herbal remedy preparations either as gugulipid or guggulsterone. You can try the
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In herbal remedies, guggul is often used along with other lowering bad cholesterol extracts, such as red yeast rice.
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Precautions about guggul.
Trials in both humans and animals have shown that guggul is relatively safe and it can be toxic, only if the taken amount is far beyond the 500mg per day which is the recommended dose. If that happens, the liver can be affected. Guggul preparations can be used for both therapeutic and preventive purposes, since practically the herbal is free of side-effects. However, people being under anti-cholesterol medications or having thyroid gland disorders should ask their healthcare provider, before taking guggul. Mild headaches and a temporary sensation of sickness have been reported as rare side-effects. The herb may be safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding period but this has not been verified yet.
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