What Is Guggul Used for, and Are There Any Side Effects?

Alternative and complementary medicines are popular in the West. In 2013, 21% of Americans used these methods for health improvement and medical treatment. Guggul extract, made from the resin of the guggul tree, is an ancient medicine used to treat various disorders, including edema, intestinal worms, and ulcers. However, researchers have not fully studied the benefits of guggul.

Guggul extract is available over the counter at big-box stores and health supply retailers. Before using this supplement, there are a few things you should know. Read on to explore guggul’s benefits, side effects, and drug interactions.

Guggul extract has been used to treat diseases since 1700 BC. The ancient Sanskrit medical text Sushrut Samhita describes the oral use of guggul to treat disorders like cancers, liver dysfunction, malignant sores, and sinus problems. Today, guggul is part of Ayurvedic holistic medicine.

Guggul extract comes from oleo gum resin produced by several varieties of the guggul tree, including Commiphora wightii, Boswellia serrata, and Commiphora mukul. These small, thorny trees grow in the dry areas of the Indian subcontinent.

The guggul trees must be at least five years old to produce the gum resin. Harvesters make incisions bigger than 7.5 cm in the plant between February and June. Yellow sap oozes from these cuts and dries into resin pieces that are collected by hand. Each season, one tree produces around 200 to 500 grams of dry guggul.

What are the health benefits of guggul?

Guggul extract has valuable compounds that provide various health benefits. While research on this substance is limited, clinical studies show that guggul may help treat the following conditions:

Asthma: Guggul resin contains guggulsterone, a bioactive compound that reduces airway inflammation. A 2021 study found that rats treated with guggulsterone had improved asthma symptoms. Another study showed that 70% of humans with bronchial asthma had reduced symptoms after taking 300 milligrams of guggul gum resin three times a day.

Cancer: Guggulsterone halts the growth and spread of various cancer cells, including breast, lung, and ovarian tumors. It also causes the death of malignant cells.

Cardiovascular diseases: Guggul extract can help prevent and treat atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia. Its anti-inflammatory properties may be responsible for its hyperlipidemic effects, but more research is needed to understand its impact on cardiovascular health.

Chronic diseases: Guggul contains natural phenolic compounds like gallic acid and sinapic acid. These compounds have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, making guggul useful in fighting chronic diseases.

Diabetes: Research suggests that guggul gum may help manage and prevent Type 2 diabetes. One study gave 900 milligrams of Boswellia serrata gum resin to people with diabetes. After six weeks of daily administration, the patients had decreased cholesterol levels and increased blood HDL levels.

Inflammatory bowel diseases: Guggul’s anti-inflammatory properties may help treat colitis and Crohn’s disease. One study found that 59.9% of patients with Crohn’s disease who received guggul extract remained in remission. However, 55.3% of the placebo group also stayed in remission, indicating that more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of guggul for this condition.

Parasites: The gum resin of Commiphora molmol has been used to treat fascioliasis caused by the Fasciola liver fluke. A study found that a drug containing gum resin effectively treated infected humans. Three weeks after administration, the patients no longer shed detectable eggs, and their liver enzyme levels had nearly returned to normal. No side effects were observed.

Guggul extract has also been historically used to treat edema, liver diseases, obesity, sinus infections, skin sores, sudden paralytic seizures, ulcers, urinary tract disorders, and vitiligo. However, more research is needed to fully understand guggul’s effects on these conditions.

How do you take guggul?

Guggul products are available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and skin creams. There is no standardized dosage for guggul, and product recommendations range from 6.25 milligrams to 132 milligrams.

It is important to note that the lack of regulation in dietary supplements means that many products do not contain the advertised amount of guggul. For example, several guggul products claimed to provide 25 milligrams of guggulsterone, but testing showed they contained 7.8 milligrams or less.

Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on an appropriate dosage and trustworthy source of guggul.

What are the possible side effects of guggul?

The long-term side effects of guggul have not been extensively studied. Short-term use for six months or less is generally considered safe.

Clinical trials have observed several adverse effects of guggul, including diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain, hiccups, mild nausea, and skin rashes or sensitivity. One reported case showed that a man developed rhabdomyolysis after taking Commiphora mukul extract. This syndrome damages muscle cells and can cause cell components to leak into the plasma, but this is the only known case linked to the supplement.

Due to insufficient research on guggul’s side effects, pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to avoid taking this supplement.

What drugs can guggul interact with?

Guggul can interact with several prescription medications, including:

• Antibiotics: Guggul may reduce the absorption of antibiotics like amoxicillin and digoxin.
• Beta-blockers: Guggul may affect the absorption of the beta-blocker propranolol.
• Blood thinners: Guggul may increase the risk of bleeding by inhibiting platelet aggregation, although this effect has not been observed in clinical trials.
• Calcium channel blockers: Guggul has been shown to decrease the bioavailability of diltiazem, but its effect on other calcium channel blockers is unknown.

If you are considering taking guggul, consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it won’t interact with any medications or supplements you are currently taking.

QUESTION

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene: "Preliminary Study of Therapeutic Efficacy of a new Fasciolicidal Drug Derived From Commiphora Molmol (Myrrh)."

Annals of Pharmacotherapy: "Rhabdomyolysis Caused by Commiphora mukul, a Natural Lipid-Lowering Agent."

Anticancer Research: "The Guggul for Chronic Diseases: Ancient Medicine, Modern Targets."

Cardiovascular Drug Reviews: "Therapeutic Effects of Guggul and Its Constituent Guggulsterone: Cardiovascular Benefits."

Complementary Therapies in Medicine: "Guggul for hyperlipidemia: a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration."

European Journal of Medical Research: "Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study."

Frontiers in Pharmacology: "Googling the Guggul (Commiphora and Boswellia) for Prevention of Chronic Diseases."

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: "Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Boswellia serrata in maintaining remission of Crohn’s disease: Good safety profile but lack of efficacy."

Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences: "Study The Anti-Asthmatic Activity of Guggulsterone In Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma In Rat."

Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders: "Effect of Boswellia serrata supplementation on blood lipid, hepatic enzymes and fructosamine levels in type2 diabetic patients."

Medical Principles and Practice: "Interactions between Herbs and Conventional Drugs: Overview of the Clinical Data."

National Toxicology Program: "Gum Guggul and Some of Its Steroidal Constituents."

Systematic Reviews: "Acceptance and use of complementary and alternative medicine among medical specialists: a 15-year systematic review and data synthesis."