Ayurveda recommends guggul in treatment of obesity, infertility, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, increased cholesterol, joint pain, PCOS or PCOD, Low sperm count etc.
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What is guggulu ?
Guggulu also known as guggul is the resin of a plant which is known as Commiphora Mukul. This plant grows as a small tree and reaches a height of 4-5 feet. The branches have thorns. These plants are found from northern Africa to central Asia, but they are most common in northern India. Ayurvedic scholars eulogise this resin with various Sanskrit names based on its medicinal properties. They are as follows
- Guggulu : The one which protects us from diseases.
- Devadhupa : The fragrant resin which is used during prayers.
- Koushika : This gum is present inside the tree bark or Kosha.
- Pura : It is the best among all medicines.
- Mahishaksha : Its colour resembles the eyes of buffalo
- Palankasha: The herbal part which helps in weight loss.
Texts of ayurveda praise the several health benefits of this resin. Important ones are mentioned here.
Balances all three doshas
This resin balances all three doshas (vata dosha, pitta dosha and kapha dosha). The qualities of this resin are explained as follows.
This resin is very fragrant and easy to digest. It increases body heat and can penetrate very deep tissues. It is pungent ( katu rasa) in taste and maintains the same taste even after digestion. It moves very fast in the body and is a tonic for heart.
The guggulu which is soft, sticky, sweet flavoured, bitter (tikta rasa) to taste, yellowish and easily get dissolved in water is considered as best guggulu for medicinal use. It should be devoid of pollutants like dust, sand and other impurities.
Guggulu which is stored for ages will be light to digest, dries up the tissues of the body, penetrates deep tissues, quickly shows medicinal effects and is very fragrant. Fresh guggulu is soft and sticky to the touch.
This resin has a bitter taste and is hot in potency. It normalises all three doshas.
Helps in Obesity by managing weight:
We know that obesity is the main cause of heart disease, diabetes, joint pains, PCOS or PCOD and other metabolic disorders. Based on the principles of Ayurveda obesity occurs when Vata vitiates Kapha. This resin is specially used in weight loss preparations. The OBENIL AYURVEDIC WEIGHT LOSS Capsules contain Guggulu along with other potent fat-burning herbs as one of its ingredients.
Helps in lowering Blood Cholesterol:
various kinds of research show that guggulu is very effective in reducing blood cholesterol levels.
Eases Joint pain:
The anti-inflammatory properties of guggulu help to reduce joint pain and localised inflammation. External application of herbal preparations which contain this resin help to reduce pain and inflammation. This gum is the main ingredient of ayurvedic preparations which are used in arthritis, sciatica and joint pains.
Improves Digestion and acts as a liver detox
This resin increases appetite and normalises the digestive system. It helps to relieve indigestion, bloating and flatulence. It acts as a liver rejuvenator and detoxifies the liver. It is also helpful in eliminating haemorrhoids, constipation and intestinal parasites
Helps In Respiratory disorders:
Guggulu boosts lung health and is very useful in the treatment of chronic cough, bronchitis, asthma and tuberculosis.
Benefits in Disorders of the Urinary System:
Ayurveda acharyas recommend this resin to treat urinary calculi, cystitis and UTI
Helps in the management of Diabetes :
In texts of Ayurveda aged guggulu is recommended for diabetes and obesity. Since the use of this resin boosts weight loss, it automatically helps to control elevated blood sugar. Also, aged guggulu has blood sugar-lowering properties.
Boosts reproductive health in men
Ayurvedic texts explain the use of guggulu in Vajikarana Chapter. They praise the aphrodisiac properties of this gum. This resin is the best ayurvedic remedy for Klaibya or erectile dysfunction. Since it helps in weight loss and diabetes, this herbal part can be used in erectile dysfunction due to diabetes and erectile dysfunction due to obesity. It boosts male libido and new guggulu increases sperm count. Hence this resin is used in Ayurveda Vajikarana Therapy.
Recommended for PCOS and PCOD
Guggulu is recommended for female infertility and menstrual disorders. This can be used in ayurvedic treatment for PCOS or PCOD.
Improves skin texture and glow
Colour changes in the skin often occur in people who are obese. Guggulu helps to boost skin health and increase its glow. It keeps on detoxifying the skin.
Eases Constipation
Usually constipation troubles over weighted people. They will be unable to evacuate bowel completely. But guggulu increases intestinal motility and helps to increase bowel movement. This aids in relief from constipation.
Types of Guggulu
Texts of Ayurveda use two types of guggulu. One is new or nava guggulu and other is aged or purana guggulu.
The Aged guggulu is bitter to taste and has tissue-drying properties.
Aged or Purana Guuggulu and Weight Loss
Ayurveda acharyas explain that the aged guggulu has Lekhana properties. Lekhana means scraping the excess. Through this property, the aged resin metabolises the fat and helps in weight loss.
Apart from this resin has ruksha guna or drying properties. Guggulu helps to remove excess water from the body and also dries up the fat tissues. This herbal part has the ability to normalise the vitiated doshas. Usually medha dhatu or body fat increases when vata vitiates kapha. Guggulu helps to normalise vata and kapha. This in turn aids in loss of medha dhatu or body fat. Thus aged guggulu immensely help in weight loss.
New or Nava Guggulu for Erectile Dysfunction
Fresh guggulu or nava guggulu has snigdha guna or moistness increasing properties. It acts as Vrishya or aphrodisiac. This ingredient is usually used in ayurveda Vajikarana Therapy to increase the potency of men. New guggulu also helps in erectile dysfunction and boosts sperm count.
Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637499/
Author : Dr.Savitha Suri Consultant Ayurvedic Physician
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