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Nutritional Supplement

Guggul

Also indexed as:Commiphora mukul

  • Heart and Circulatory Health

    High Triglycerides

    Clinical trials indicate that guggul is effective in treating high triglycerides, in one trial, serum triglycerides fell by 30.3%.
    High Triglycerides
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    Guggul, a mixture of ketonic steroids from the gum oleoresin of Commiphora mukul, is an approved treatment of hyperlipidemia in India and has been a mainstay of Ayurvedic herbal approaches to preventing atherosclerosis. Clinical trials indicate that guggul is effective in the treatment of high TGs; in one trial, serum TGs fell by 30.3%.9

    However, these results have not been confirmed by large, controlled trials. The recommended daily intake of guggul is typically based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. The recommended amount of guggulsterones is 25 mg three times per day. Most extracts contain 5–10% guggulsterones. Guggul’s effect on TGs should be monitored for three to four months, and guggul may be taken long term if successful in lowering TGs.

    High Cholesterol

    Findings regarding the ability of guggul extracts to lower cholesterol levels are mixed.
    High Cholesterol
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    Guggulsterones are compounds from guggul (also known as guggulipid), a gum resin from Commiphora wightii (a plant native to India) that has been used for centuries as a traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat a wide range of ailments.10 Guggulsterones have been found to bind to receptors involved in cholesterol metabolism, and some clinical research suggests it can lower cholesterol levels.11 However, results of controlled trials using guggul have been mixed. One publication described two controlled crossover trials: one included 205 participants and compared guggulipid to placebo and the other with 233 participants compared guggulipid to the cholesterol-lowering drug clofibrate (Atromid-S). Treatment with 500 mg of guggulipid three times daily for 12 weeks resulted in an 11% drop in total cholesterol levels and was more likely to raise HDL-cholesterol levels than clofibrate.10,13 Other early trials had similarly positive findings,14 but more recent research has been disappointing. For example, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 103 participants with high cholesterol levels found supplementation with 1–2 grams of guggulipid three times daily for eight weeks had no effect on total or HDL-cholesterol levels but significantly increased LDL-cholesterol levels by 4–5% compared with placebo.15 In another randomized controlled trial with 34 subjects, 2.16 grams of guggul daily for 12 weeks decreased total and HDL-cholesterol levels and had no effect on LDL-cholesterol levels.16

  • Joint Health

    Osteoarthritis

    In one trial, supplementing with guggul significantly improved symptoms in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.
    Osteoarthritis
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    In a preliminary trial, supplementation with 500 mg of a concentrated extract (3.5% guggulsterones) of Commiphora mukul (guggul) three times per day for one month resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.16 Double-blind trials are needed to rule out the possibility of a placebo effect.

  • Skin Protection

    Acne Vulgaris

    A controlled trial found that guggul (Commiphora mukul) compared favorably to tetracycline in treating cystic acne.
    Acne Vulgaris
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    One controlled trial found that guggul (Commiphora mukul) compared favorably to tetracycline in the treatment of cystic acne.17 The amount of guggul extract taken in the trial was 500 mg twice per day.

  • Weight Management

    Obesity

    Limited evidence suggests guggul extract may improve metabolic health, lower cholesterol levels, and support weight loss.
    Obesity
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    Guggul is a resinous compound extracted from the mukul myrrh tree (Commiphora mukul) that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to treat conditions including heart disease, lipid disorders, and obesity.18 Laboratory research suggests guggul and its active constituents, guggulsterones, may improve fat tissue function and stimulate breakdown of fat for energy.19 Investigations into its ability to lower high cholesterol levels have had mixed results,20 and one open trial found patients with metabolic syndrome lost a small amount of weight after taking a combination of guggul, curcumin, and chlorogenic acid for four months.21
What Are Star Ratings?
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Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

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Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

The classical treatise on Ayurvedic medicine, Sushrita Samhita, describes the use of guggul for a wide variety of conditions, including rheumatism and obesity. One of its primary indications was a condition known as medoroga. This ancient diagnosis is similar to the modern description of atherosclerosis. Standardized guggul extracts are approved in India for lowering elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

References

1. Satyavati GV. Gum guggul (Commiphora mukul)—The success of an ancient insight leading to a modern discovery. Indian J Med 1988;87:327-35.

2. Nityanand S, Kapoor NK. Hypocholesterolemic effect of Commiphora mukul resin (Guggal). Indian J Exp Biol 1971;9:367-77.

3. Singh K, Chander R, Kapoor NK. Guggulsterone, a potent hypolipidaemic, prevents oxidation of low density lipoprotein. Phytother Res 1997;11:291-4.

4. Mester L, Mester M, Nityanand S. Inhibition of platelet aggregation by guggulu steroids. Planta Med 1979;37:367-9.

5. Malhotra SC, Ahuja MMS, Sundarum KR. Long-term clinical studies on the hypolipidemic effect of Commiphora mukul (guggul) and clofibrate. Ind J Med Res 1977;65:390-5.

6. Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with Gugulipid—a new hypolipidemic agent. J Assoc Phys India 1989; 37:323–8.

7. Antonio J, Colker CM, Torina GC, et al. Effects of a standardized guggulsterone phosphate supplement on body composition in overweight adults: A pilot study. Curr Ther Res 1999;60:220-7.

8. Thappa DM, Dogra J. Nodulocystic acne: oral gugulipid versus tetracycline. J Dermatol 1994;21:729-31.

9. Agarwal RC, Singh SP, Saran RK, et al. Clinical trial of gugulipid new hypolipidemic agent of plant origin in primary hyperlipidemia. Indian J Med Res 1986;84:626-34.

10. Yamada T, Sugimoto K. Guggulsterone and Its Role in Chronic Diseases. Adv Exp Med Biol 2016;929:329–61.

11. Urizar NL, Moore DD. GUGULIPID: a natural cholesterol-lowering agent. Annu Rev Nutr 2003;23:303–13.

12. Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with Gugulipid—a new hypolipidemic agent. J Assoc Phys India 1989; 37:323–8.

13. Ulbricht C, Basch E, Szapary P, et al. Guggul for hyperlipidemia: a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Complement Ther Med 2005;Dec;13(4):279–90.

14. Szapary PO, Wolfe ML, Bloedon LT, et al. Guggulipid for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: an randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003;290:765–72.

15. Nohr LA, Rasmussen LB, Straand J. Resin from the mukul myrrh tree, guggul, can it be used for treating hypercholesterolemia? A randomized, controlled study. Complement Ther Med 2009;17:16–22.

16. Singh BB, Mishra LC, Vinjamury SP, et al. The effectiveness of Commiphora mukul for osteoarthritis of the knee: an outcomes study. Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9:74-9.

17. Thappa DM, Dogra J. Nodulocystic acne: oral gugulipid versus tetracycline. J Dermatol 1994;21:729-31.

18. Ahmad MA, Mujeeb M, Akhtar M, et al. Guggulipid: A Promising Multi-Purpose Herbal Medicinal Agent. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2020 Apr;70(4):123–30.

19. Miller CN, Samuels JS, Azhar Y, et al. Guggulsterone Activates Adipocyte Beiging through Direct Effects on 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Indirect Effects Mediated through RAW264.7 Macrophages. Medicines (Basel) 2019 Jan;6(1):22.

20. Ulbricht C, Basch E, Szapary P, et al. Guggul for hyperlipidemia: a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Complement Ther Med 2005;Dec;13(4):279–90.

21. Patti AM, Al-Rasadi K, Katsiki N, et al. Effect of a Natural Supplement Containing Curcuma Longa, Guggul, and Chlorogenic Acid in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome. Angiology 2015;Oct;66(9):856–61.

22. Brown D, Austin S. Hyperlipidemia and Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease. Seattle, WA: NPRC, 1997, 4-6.

23. Szapary PO, Wolfe ML, Bloedon LT, et al. Guggulipid for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: an randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003;290:765–72.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.