Guggul (Commiphora Mukul): Traditional Use and Research
Guggul is a resin used in Ayurveda for cholesterol, arthritis and weight; a well-run US trial found it did not lower cholesterol and caused rashes, so read the evidence first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What guggul is
Guggul (also called guggulu or gum guggul) is the resin of the Commiphora mukul tree, also named Commiphora wightii. Extracts are sold as supplements, often labeled guggulipid or guggulsterones, and the resin is an ingredient in classical Ayurvedic preparations covered on our page about guggulu formulations.
Traditional use
A US National Toxicology Program report says gum guggul extracts are traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat high blood fats, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.[1] A review adds that guggul has been used for thousands of years for arthritis, inflammation, obesity, heart protection, stomach ulcers, epilepsy and lipid disorders.[2] These describe what the tradition did. They are not test results. I did not read a classical text, so the traditional properties of guggulu in the texts are not described here.
What research has measured
Cholesterol (mixed, with the best trial negative). A 2003 systematic review of herbs for cholesterol found guggul among four herbs studied most extensively, which showed reported total cholesterol reductions of 10 to 33 percent, but 13 of the 25 trials reviewed had weak methods.[3] The review's overall conclusion was that only a limited amount of research supports efficacy.
Then a better-designed trial tested guggul in the United States. In 103 adults with high cholesterol, randomly assigned to guggulipid 1,000 mg three times daily, 2,000 mg three times daily, or placebo for 8 weeks, LDL cholesterol (often called "bad" cholesterol) fell 5 percent on placebo but rose 4 percent and 5 percent on guggulipid. There were no significant changes in total cholesterol, HDL or triglycerides. The authors concluded that guggulipid did not appear to improve cholesterol and might raise LDL.[4]
Why do the results disagree? Earlier trials were often small and lower in quality, as the review says,[3] and the US trial used a standardized extract in people eating a typical Western diet.[4] A single trial in one population cannot answer everything, but it should make anyone cautious about guggul as a cholesterol product. See Ayurveda for high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Other uses. Reviews describe laboratory and animal work on inflammation, pain, wounds and acne,[2] but that is preclinical. For arthritis, obesity and diabetes I did not find a high-quality human trial or review that I could read. Proper evidence not found; I searched PubMed for guggul and guggulipid trials and reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Does guggul lower cholesterol?
Not reliably. A 2003 JAMA trial of 103 adults found that guggulipid did not improve cholesterol and might raise LDL,[4] even though earlier lower-quality trials suggested reductions.[3]
What is guggulipid?
It is a standardized extract of guggul resin; the trial used one containing 2.5 percent guggulsterones.[4]
Is guggul safe?
Six of 67 treated people in the US trial developed a rash,[4] and animal studies suggest hormone-altering effects,[1] so it needs care and a clinician's advice.
What is guggul used for in Ayurveda?
Traditionally for high blood fats, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and arthritis.[1]
Is guggul the same as guggulu formulations?
Not exactly. Guggul is the resin; guggulu formulations are traditional preparations that use it, and they are covered on our guggulu formulations page.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and cautions
- Skin reactions: in the US trial, 6 people on guggulipid developed a hypersensitivity rash and none on placebo did.[4]
- Hormones and metabolism: the National Toxicology Program studied a gum guggul extract in rats and mice because supplement use is widespread, the extracts show metabolic and hormone-altering effects, and information to judge safe use in humans was lacking.[1] Those were animal studies and their results cannot simply be applied to people.
- Medicines: I did not find a source I could read that lists proven drug interactions. Given the hormone and metabolic effects above, ask a pharmacist before combining guggul with cholesterol, hormone or diabetes medicines. See how interactions work.
- Liver: I did not find a source I could read that establishes liver safety either way. Read liver safety and supplements and stop and seek care for yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, or severe stomach pain.
- Quality: some Ayurvedic preparations contain toxic amounts of lead, mercury or arsenic.[5] Classical guggulu formulations can contain other ingredients; see Ayurvedic products: heavy metals and product quality.
- Pregnancy and children: the NCCIH advises anyone pregnant or nursing to consult a provider because some Ayurvedic products may contain harmful ingredients.[5] Avoid guggul unless a clinician advises otherwise.
When to see a doctor first
High cholesterol raises long-term heart risk and is best managed with a clinician. Do not stop a statin or other prescribed medicine to try guggul.