Gugulu ( Commiphora mukul) detail drug shloka

Guggulu

Basonym of Drug

            गुजे व्याधेर्गुडति रक्षतीति |

            Guggulu protects the body by curing many diseases.

 

Synonyms

Habital

1.      दुर्ग:- दुर्गमस्थाने जातत्वात् |

Guggulu mainly grows in dry mountain regions.

2.      मरुदेश्य - मरुस्थले जायमानः |

Guggulu plant grows in dry regions.

Morphology

3.      उलूखल – उलूखलसदृशकोटरान्निर्गतः |

Gum-resin exudes from the cavities.

4.      कुम्भोलूखलकम्-कुम्भसदृशादुलूखलसदृशाद्वा कोशान्निर्गतः |

Gum-resin of Guggulu exudes from pot shaped cavities.

5.      कौशिकः- कोशेभवः |

Guggulu exudes gum-resin from its cavities.

6.      महिषाक्षः- महिषनेत्रवत् रक्ताभकृष्णवर्णः |

Gum-resin of Guggulu has reddish black colour like that of Buffalo’s eye.

7.      कणनिर्यासः- कणरुपो निर्यासो स्य|

Gum-resin of Guggulu has particles.

8.      कालनिर्यास:- कालः कृष्णाभो निर्यासो स्य |

Gum-resin of Guggulu is blackish in colour.

Properties and Actions.

9.      पुर :- निर्यासुषु श्रेष्ठः |

Guggulu is regarded as best among Niryasa (Gum-resin).

10.  पलङ्कष :- पलं मासं कषति हिनस्ति, स्थौल्यहदित्यर्थः |

Guggulu reduces obesity.

11.  रक्षोहा-रक्षांसि हन्तीति, तदर्थ धूपने प्रयुक्तः |

Guggulu is very good antimicrobial hence used for fumigation.

12.  देवधुपः- देवपूजायां धूपे प्रयुक्तः |

Guggulu is also used in incense sticks to worship.

 

 

Regional Names

            English            -           Indian bedellium

            Hindi               -           Gugal

            Kannada         -           Guggula

            Malayalam      -           Gugulu

            Marathi           -           Gugal

            Botanical Name – Commiphora mukul hook ex. Stocks Balsamodendron mukul, Hook.

            Commiphoro-phore=bearer, mukul-Arabic name

            Family – Burseraceae.

            Kala – Guggulu

Classification of Dravya (Gana)

            Caraka – Sanjnasthapana varga

            Susruta – Eladi gana

            Bh.Pr.Ni – Karpuradi verga

Texonomy

            Kingdom         -           Plantae

            Class               -           Dicotyledons

            Subclass         -           Polypetalae

            Series              -           Disciflorae

            Order              -           Geraniales

            Family             -           Burseraceae

            Genus             -           Commiphora

            Species           -           mukul

Habitat

            Guggulu plant commonly grows in dry and arid regions and it is cultivated extensively because of huge demand. Found in arid and rocky tracks of Rajasthan, Deccan, Bellari & Mysore.

Varieties

            Bh.Pr.Ni    -    5 types

1.      Mahisaksa-Black in colour

2.      Mahanila-Blue in colour

3.      Kumuda-White in colour

4.      Padma-Brown in colour

5.      Hiranyaksa-Yellow in colour

 

Bh.Pr.Ni     -   2 Types

1.      Nava Guggulu

2.      Purana Guggulu

Commercial varieties

1.      I Grade     -   Consists of translucent guggulu free from bark and sand.

2.      II Grade    -   Dull coloured Guggulu mixed with bark and sand.

3.      III Grade   -   Most inferior quality, Collected from ground and mixed with lot 
                        of extraneous Matters.

Morphology

            Shrubby, 4 to 6 ft. high. Young parts glandular-pubescent; branches knotty and crooked, divaricate, usually ending in a sharp spine.

            Leaves – 1 to 3 foliate, leaflets subsessile, the terminal leaf let is large, 2 cm long and 1 cm wide, rhomboid or ovate shape d, serrate, toothed in upper part, smooth, shining, the lateral leaflets when present less than half the size of the terminal ones.

            Flowers – Seen in fascicles of 2-3 with very short pedicels. Calyx is companulate, glandular and hairy, Petals are brownish red, broadly linear nearly thrice the length of the calyx, reflexed at the apex. Stamens 8 to 10 in number, alternately long and short, half the length of the petals. Ovary is oblong-ovoid.

            Fruit – Drupe, when ripe becomes red, 6-8 mm in diameter, ovoid, epicarp is 4-valved.

            Seeds – Small, Nuts, Ovoid, Splitting into two.

            Useful parts – Gum resin

            Market sample of gum resin is translucent vermicular or stalaclitic tears of varying sizes, reddish yellow or brown in colour, more often occurring in resinous lumps which turn darker in colour on long storage. On breaking becomes pieces with a rough waxy surface having a moist unctuous appearance. Having balsamic aromatic odour with bitter taste.

Phytoconstituents

            Gum resin of Guggulu constains seteroidal consitituents like Z-guggulusterone, E-Guggulusterone, Guggulusterols I, II, III, IV & V, Diterpene alcohol, Myrecene, Dimyrcene, Polymyrcene, Myricyl alocohol, 3-sitosterol, 15 amino acids like Cystine, Histidine, Lysine, Arginine, Aspartic acid, Serine, Gultamic acid, Threonine, Alanine, Proline, Tyrosine, Tryptophan, Valine, Leucine and Isoleucine,

 

Rasapancaka

            Rasa                Tikta Katu Madhura Kasaya

            Guna               Tiksna, Sara Suksma, Snigdha, Laghu,

            Vipaka                        Katu

            Virya               Usna

Dosakarma (Action on Dosa)      

            Tridosasamuka, Vatasamaka Due to Usna virya. Pittahara due to Tikta madhurakasaya rasa and Kaphahara because of Usna virya, Katu vipaka and Tikta Katu Kasaya rasa.  

            Note – Because of Madhura rasa vatahara, Kasaya rasa pittahara & Tikta rasa kaphara.

Karma (Action)

            Medohara, Amavatahara, Pramehahara, Bhagna, Sandhanakara, Vrsya, Swarya, Rasayana, Dipana, Balya, Vrnahara, Kusthaghna, Sophahara, Arsoghna, Krmihara, Varnya, Brhnana.

Nava Guggulu Karma (Action of fresh Guggulu)

            Brahmana, Vrsya

Properties and ations of Nava & Purana guggulu

 

	Nava Guggulu (Fresh)	Purana Guggulu (Old)
Varna (Colour)	Bright yellow (Kancana) or Dark brown (Pakwa jambu phala)	Yellowish brown (Tyakta Prakrti Varna)
Gandha (Odour)	Sugandha (Pleasant)	Durgandha (Offensive)
Guna (Qualities)	Snigdha (Unctuous Picchila)	Suska
Karma (Actions)	Brhmana (Vrsya)	Lekhana

 

            Note – Guggulu older than 5 yrs is considered as Purana guggulu.

Properties and actions of different types of Guggulu

1.     Gandharaja (kana) Guggulu – Katu rasa, Usna virya, Sulhara, asayana, Vatahara.

2.     Bhumija guggulu – Titka katu rasa, Usna virya, vatahara, Madhya.

 

 

Amayika Prayoga (Therapeutic administration)

1.     Vatavyadhi (Disorders of Vata)

रसायनानां सर्वेषामुपयोग प्रशस्यते |

शैलस्य जतुनो त्यर्थ पयसा गुग्गुलोस्तथा ||

                                                            च.चि. २८/२४१

            Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) taken with milk is very useful as a Rasayana in all kinds of Vatavyadhi.

2.      Amavata (Rhumatoid Arthritis)

मूत्रैर्वा शीलयेत् पथ्यां गुग्गुलं गिरिसंभवम् |

अ.ह.चि २१/४७

            Regular usage of Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) with cow’s urine is beneficial in Amavata (Rhumatoid arthritis).

3.     Sotha (Oedema)

गुग्गुलं वा गोमूत्रेण, हरीतकीं वा |

अ.सं. चि १९/३

            Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) of haritaki (Terminalia chebula) mixed with urine to be administered in case of Sotha (Oedema)

4.     Vatarakta (Gout)

शिलाजतु प्रयोगैश्च गुग्गुलोर्माक्षिकस्य च |

                                                            च.चि. २९/१५९

            Regular usage of Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Silajatu (Bitumen) and honey will cure Vatarakta (Gout).

5.     Urustambha

मूत्रैर्वा गुग्गुलुं श्रेष्ठम् ||

                                    स. चि. ५/३५

            Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) with cow’s urine is a best remedy for Urutambha.

6.     Sthoulya (Obesity)

रसाञ्जनस्य महतः पञ्चमूलस्य गुग्गुलोः |

शिलाजतु प्रयागश्च साग्निमन्थरसो हितः ||

अ.ह.सू. १४/२३

            Rasanjana, Mahat pancamula (Bilva-Aegle marmelos, Agnimantha-Clerodendron Phlomides, Syonaka-Oroxylum indicum, Patala-Stereospermum suaveolens & Gambhari-Gmelina arborea), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Silajatu (Bitumen) & Agnimantha rasa (juice of Premna intergrifolia) taken regularly is beneficial in Sthoulya (Obesity).

Matra (Dosage)

            Niryasa (Gumresin)-0.5-3 g

Yoga (Formulations)

 

Sl. No.	Name	Indications.
1.	Goksuradi Guggulu	Prameha, Mutrakrcchra
2.	Kancanara guggulu	Gandamala, Arbuda
3.	Kaisora Guggulu	Vatarakta, Pramehapidaka
4.	Trayodasanga guggulu	Gradhrasi, Katigraha
5.	Mahayogaraja guggulu	Vatavyadhi, Kustha
6.	Triphala guggulu	Sotha, Arsa, Bhagandara
7.	Laksa guggulu	Asthibhagna, Asthiruk
8.	Vyosadi guggulu	Medoroga, Amavata
9.	Vatari guggulu	Katisula, Gradhrasi
10.	Simhanada guggulu	Amavata, Pangu

Toxicology.

            LD₅₀ of Essential oil-750 mg/kg I.P. Sometimes there might be burning instomach, itching and urticarial rashes on skin after its use.

            Treatment - Stop using for two days.

                                    Saffron is an antidote.

Guggulu sodhana

            Physical impurities like sand, stone, leaf etc. are first removed from crude drug, crushed into small pieces. Then taken in a pottali and boiled in liquids and one among Gomutra (Cow’s urine), Triphale Kwatha, Vasapatra swarasa, Vasa patra kasaya, Nirgundi patra swarasa or Godugdha Milk). Swedana (Boiling) is carried out till all pass into the fluid through cloth. The residue left in the Pottali is to be discarded. The fluid is filtered and boiled till it forms a mass. This mass is dried under sun and punded with a pestle in a stone mortar, adding a little quantity of ghee till it become waxy.

Prasta Guggulu (Qualities of Genuine guggulu)

1.      Atapaiste viliyanti becomes liquefied when exposed to Sunlight.

2.      Ksiptagnou jwalanti-Burns well when put on fire.

3.      Should be Snigdha, Mrdu (Soft), Picchila, Sugandha (Good smell), Pitabha (Yellowish tinged).

4.      Mrt Sikata Rahita (Devoid of mud and sand)

 

Atimatra prayoga (Excessive usage) of Guggulu

            Without precaution if Guggulu used in excess it may lead to.

·         Klaivya (Impotency)

·         Asya sosa (Dryness in mouth)

·         Timira (Progressive cataract)

·         Karsya (Lean)

·         Moha (Giddiness)

·         Atisara (Diarrhoea)

Contraindications during Guggulu usage.

1.      Amla & Tiksna – Sour and strong foods.

2.      Ajirna-Food that causes indigestion.

3.      Vyavaya, Srama, Atapa-Avoid excessive sex. Strenous exercise and walkin in hot Sunlihgt.

4.      Madya – Alcoholic preparations

5.      Rosa – Psychological upsets like anger.

Adulteraton

            Main adulterants of Guggulu available in Market were the gums of plants such as-

·         Albizia lebbeck

·         Acacia Senegal

·         Acacia Arabica

·         Boswellia serrate

·         Moringa oleifera

Note – Guggulu is listed among endangered plants.

Collections

            Schizogonous ducts in the bark become enlarged by breaking down of the surrounding cells to form large lysigenous cavities in which a granular oleo-gum-resin collects. When the bark is wounded, the secretion exudes and changes in the air from a yellowish-white fluid to a reddish brown hard mass. The greater part of the gum rresin exudes spontaneously through natural fissures.

Tapping

            The best tapping period for gum resin has been recognised from th middle of December to the end of February. The plants of 7 yrs age group are suitable for tapping the gum resin. The contractors are to use solution prepared in sulphuric acid for complete extraction of gum-resin.

            The incision of 0.8 to 1.5 cm deep is made on the main trunk and thick branches after dipping the knife in the solution of the angle of 60^o. The yellow fragrant liquid starts coming out just after incision for hours depending upon the plant. The liquid solidifies in the due course of time and the same is collected after a day or two. This collected gum resin is sold in the market as Guggulu. Since the plant is an important source of Guggulu  gum over the past few years this species has been extensively tapped in Rajasthan and Gujarat and the trees were noticed to be progressively drying.

Classical references

Synonyms

गुग्गुलुर्देवधूपश्च जटायुः कौशिकः पुरः |

कुम्भोलूखलकं क्लीबे महिषाक्षः पलङ्कष: ||

भा.प्र. कर्पूरादि वर्ग ३२

Types characters & their utility

            महिषाक्षो महानील: कुमुदः पद्म इत्यपि |

हिरण्यः पशञ्चमो ज्ञेयो गुग्गुलोः पञ्च जातयः ||

भृङ्नाजनसवर्णस्त्रु महिषाक्ष इति स्मृतः |

महानीलस्तु विज्ञेयः स्वानामसमलक्षणः ||

कुमुदः कुमुदाभः स्यात्पद्मो माणिक्य सन्निभः |

हिरण्याख्यस्तु हेमाभः पञ्चानां लिङ्नमीरितम् ||

महिषाक्षो महीनीलो गजेन्द्रणां हितातुभौ |

हयानां कुमुदः पद्म स्वस्थ्यारोगयकरौ परौ |

विशेषेण मनुष्याणां कनकः परिकीर्तितः |

कदाचिन्महिषाक्षश्च मतः कैश्चिनृणामपि ||

भा.प्र. कर्पूरादि वर्ग ३४-३७

Properties and Actions

            गुग्गुलुर्विशदस्क्तिो वीर्योष्णः पितलः सरः |

कषायः कटुकः पाके कटू रुक्षो लघुः परः ||

भग्नसन्धानकृद् वृष्यः सूक्ष्मः स्वर्यो रसायनः |

दीपनः पिच्छिलो बल्यः कफवातव्रणापचीः ||

मेदोमेहाश्च वातांश्च क्लेदकुष्ठाममारुतान् |

पिडकाग्रन्थिशोफार्शोगण्डमालाकृतीजयेत् ||

माधुर्याच्छमंयेद्वातं कषायत्वाच्च पित्तहा |

तिक्तत्वाद् कफजितेन गुग्गुलः सर्वदोषहा ||

                                                                     भा.प्र. कर्पूरादि वर्ग ३८-४१

 

 

 

 

 

नवगुग्गुलु पुराणगुग्गुलु गुणकर्म:

            स नवो बृंहणे वृष्याः पुराणस्तवतिलेखनः |

            स्निग्धः काजनसंकाशः पक्वजम्बूफलोपमः ||

            नूतनो गुग्गुलुः प्रोक्तः सुगन्धिर्यस्तु पिच्छिलः ||

            शुष्को दुर्गन्धकश्चैव त्यक्ततप्रकृतिवर्णकः |

            पुराणः स तु विज्ञेयो गुग्गुलुवीर्यर्वर्जितः ||

                                                                        भा.प्र. कर्पूरादि वर्ग ४२-४४

Contraindications during Guggulu usage

अम्लं तीक्ष्णमजीर्णञ्च व्यावायं श्रममातपम् |

मद्यं रोषं त्यजेत्सम्यग् गुणार्थी पुरसेवकः ||

                                                                        भा.प्र. कर्पूरादि वर्ग ४५

 

            गुग्गलुः पिच्छिलः प्रोक्तः कटुस्तिक्तः कषायवान् |

            वर्ण्य  स्वर्यो लघुः सूक्ष्मो रुक्षो वातबलासजित् ||

                                                            ध. नि. चन्दनादि वर्ग  ११७

 

            स्वभावविशदाः स्निग्धाः स्वामोक्षः कण्ठशोधनाः |

            सर्वे समानवीर्यास्ते सर्वे रसगुणैः समाः |

            आस्वादे तिक्तकटुकाः कषायाः स्वादवः परम् ||

            महिषाक्षो गजेन्द्रणां महानीलश्च शस्यते |

            वाजिनां कुमुदः पद्मो नराणां कनकः स्मृतः ||

            माधुर्याच्छमयेद् वातं कषायत्वाच्च पित्तजित् ||

            तिक्तत्वाच्छ्लेष्महच्चैवं गुग्गुलुः सर्वदोषहा |

            कृष्णः शोणितपिते च श्लेष्मपिते च पिङ्गुलः ||

            वातपिते तथा श्वेतो गुग्गुलुः शस्यते तथा |

            गुग्गुलुर्मधुरस्तिक्तो कषायः कटुकः कटुः ||

            पाकेरुक्षो लघुः सूक्ष्मः वीर्योष्णः सरस्तथा |

            दीपनः कफवातघ्नो वृष्यः बल्यो रसायनः ||

            भग्नसन्धानकृत् स्वर्यो बृंहणो विनियच्छति  |

            मेदोमेहाश्च वातास्त्र ग्रन्थिगण्डव्रणापचीः ||

            पिडकाक्लेदशोफाशोकण्डूकुष्ठवमिकृमीन् |

                                                                         कै. नि. ओशधिवर्ग १४१२-१४२०

गुग्गुलुशाक:

          तच्छाकं मधुरं रुक्षं कटुकं शिशिरं गुरु |

            विषृंभि सृष्टविण्मूत्रं कफमारुतकोपनम् |

                                                             कै. नि. ओशधिवर्ग १४२०-१४२१

 

            गुग्गुलुः कटुतिक्तोष्णः कफमारुतकासजित् |

            कृमिवातोदरप्लीहशोफशोघ्नो रसायनः ||

                                                                        रा. नि. चन्दनादि वर्ग १०५

 

गन्धराज (कण) गुग्गुलुः

          कणगुग्गुलुः कटूष्णः सुरभिर्वातनाशनः |

            शूलगुल्मोदराध्मान कफघ्नश्च रसायनः ||

                                                            रा. नि. चन्दनादि वर्ग १०७

भूमिज गुग्गुलुः

          गुग्गुलुर्भूमिजस्तिक्तः कटूष्णः कफवातजित् |

            उमाप्रियश्च भूतघ्नो मेध्यः सौरभ्यादः सदा ||

                                                                        रा.नि. चन्दनादिवर्ग १०९

 

            गुग्गुलुस्तिक्तकटुको वीर्याष्णः कफवातकृत् |

            वातव्याधि गण्डमाला व्रणादिषु च शस्यते ||

Qualities of Genuine Guggulu

            आतपैस्ते विलीयन्ते क्षिप्राश्चाग्नौ ज्वलन्तिहि |

                                                                        कै.नि. ओषधिवर्ग १४१२

Adverse effects of excessive usage of Guggulu

          अतिमात्रप्रयुक्तस्तु कुरुते विविधान् गदान् |

            क्लैव्यास्यशोषतिमिरकाश्र्यत मोहातिसारकान् ||

                                                                        प्रि.नि. हरीतक्यादि वर्ग ८०