Guggulu

(Indian Bdellium)
Sanskrit: गुग्गुलु Botanical: Balsamodendron mukul Hook. ex Stocks

Guggulu is the oleo-gum resin obtained from the bark of Balsamodendron mukul. Five varieties are described based on color. It is one of the most important drugs in Ayurveda for Vata disorders, obesity, and joint diseases. Guggulu has powerful anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties. It is the base material for numerous Ayurvedic compound formulations (Guggulu Kalpas) including Yogaraja Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu, and Kaishore Guggulu. Fresh Guggulu is preferred; old stock loses potency.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna), Clear (Vishada), Subtle (Sukshma)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Myrrh (Guggulsterones (Z and E), Guggulipid, Volatile oil, Resin, Gum, Myrrha-fist)
Also Known As
English: Indian Bdellium, Gum Guggul
Sanskrit: गुग्गुलु, महिषाक्ष, कौशिक, देवधूप, पुर
Hindi: गुग्गल, गूगल

What is Guggulu (Indian Bdellium / गुग्गुलु)?

Guggulu is the oleo-gum resin obtained from the bark of Balsamodendron mukul. Five varieties are described based on color. It is one of the most important drugs in Ayurveda for Vata disorders, obesity, and joint diseases. Guggulu has powerful anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties. It is the base material for numerous Ayurvedic compound formulations (Guggulu Kalpas) including Yogaraja Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu, and Kaishore Guggulu. Fresh Guggulu is preferred; old stock loses potency.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Vedanasthapana (analgesic)
  • Shothaghna (anti-inflammatory)
  • Rasayana (rejuvenative)
  • Lekhana (scraping/reducing fat)
  • Vatakaphaghna (pacifies Vata and Kapha)
  • Medohara (reduces fat/obesity)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2

Varieties

VarietyRegionBest For
Mahishaksha
Mahanila
Kumuda
Padma
Kanaka

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2

References in Astanga Hridaya

20 Treatment for over nourishing त मेदो नल ले मनाशनं सव म यते कुला थजूण यामाकयवमु गमधूदकम ् म त ुद डाहता र ट च ताशोधनजागरम ् मधुना फलां ल या गुडूचीमभयां घनम ् रसा जन य महतः प चमल ू य ग ु गल ु ोः शलाजतु] योग च साि नम थरसो हतः वड गं नागरं ारः काललोहरजो मधु यवामलक चूण च योगो अ त थौ यदोशिजत ् Treatments which reduce Medas- fat, Anila- Vata and Kapha are desirable; Use of Kulattha – horse gram – Dolichos Biflorus, Jurna, Shyamaka, Yava – Barley – Hordeum Vulgare, Mudga – green gram – Averr

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 14: Dvividha Upakramaneeya

Snehavyapat Cikitsa – treatment of bad effects :ु त ृ णो लेखन वेद ापाना नभे षजम ् त ा र टखलो ालयव यामाकको वम ् प पल यथा वं फला ौ प यागोमू गु गुलु तरोगं च नेह याप द साधनम ् Kshut, Trushna – Producing hunger, thirst, Ulleka, sveda – vomiting and perspiration, administering foods, drinks and medicines which are dry (cause dryness), use of Takrarista (fermented medicine from buttermilk), Khala – menu prepared from curds, Uddala, Yava (barley), Shyamaka, Kodrava, Pippali (long pepper), Triphala

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 16: Snehavidhi oleation therapy

फला प पल प यागु गु वा द वपा चतान ् नेहान ् यथा वमे तेषां योजयेद वका रणः In these conditions, fats boiled with Triphala, Pippali, Pathya, Guggulu, etc.

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 16: Snehavidhi oleation therapy

Herbal smoking blends – Dhuma dravyani – For Mridu- mild kind of smoke, म ृदौ त या यगु गु गुलु मु त थौणेयशैलेयनलदोशीरवालकम ् वय गकौ तीमधुक ब वम जैलवालुकम ् ीवे टकं सजरसो यामकं मदनं लवम ् श लक कुं कुमं माषा यवाः कु द ु काि तलाः नेहः फलानां साराणां मेदो म जा वसा घ ृतम ् useful drugs are-Aguru, Guggulu, Musta, sthauneya, Shaileya, Nalada, Usheera, Valaka, Varanga, Kounti, Madhuka, Bilvamajja, elavaluka, Shrivestaka, Sarjarasa, Dhyamaka, Madana, Plava, Shallaki, Kumkuma, Masha, Yava, Kunduruk

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 21: Dhumpana Medicated Smoking

The wound should be fumigated with the smoke of Guggulu, Aguru, Siddhartha, Hingu (Asa foetida), Sarjarasa, Patu (Salt), Sadgrantha(Acorus calamus) or leaves of Nimba (neem), mixed with ghee; Then a wick prepared from paste of Tila, ghee, honey and appropriate drugs should be placed inside the wound and also covered over.

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 29: Shastrakarma Vidhi

Source: Astanga Hridaya, Ch. 14, Ch. 16, Ch. 16, Ch. 21, Ch. 29

Guggulu by Condition

Explore how Guggulu is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.