Commiphora mukul
(Hook. ex Stocks) Engl.
Guggul, Oleogum resin
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Radha Veach, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Radha Veach, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Radha Veach, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A subtropical tree in the Burseraceae family that produces a gum resin.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The gum is used as a flavoring agent.
Traditional Uses
The gum is used as a flavouring probably in medicine.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Commiphora wightii has been a key component in ancient Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine. The extract of gum guggul, called gugulipid, guggulipid, or guglipid, has been used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine, for nearly 3,000 years in India. One chemical ingredient in the extract is the steroid guggulsterone, which acts as an antagonist of the farnesoid X receptor, once believed to result in decreased cholesterol synthesis in the liver. However, several studies have been published that indicate no overall reduction in total cholesterol occurs using various dosages of guggulsterone and levels of low-density lipoprotein ("bad cholesterol") increased in many people.
Known Hazards
Because of its use in traditional medicine, C. wightii has been overharvested, and has become so scarce in its two habitats in India—Gujarat and Rajasthan—that the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has enlisted it in its IUCN Red List of threatened species. Several efforts are in place to address this situation. India's National Medicinal Plants Board launched a project in Kutch District to cultivate 500 to 800 hectares (1,200 to 2,000 acres) of guggal, while a grass-roots conservation movement, led by IUCN associate Vineet Soni, has been started to educate guggal growers and harvesters in safe, sustainable harvesting methods.
Distribution
A subtropical plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Arabia, Asia, Bangladesh, East Africa, India, Middle East, Pakistan,
Production
A tree produces 900 g of resin.
Notes
It is used as a medicine to treat diabetes. The active ingredient is guggulsterones.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Gugulipid
References (3)
- A. L. P. P. de Candolle & A. C. de Candolle, Monogr. phan. 4:12. 1883
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 62
- Jiang, G., et al, 2013, Targeting beta-Catenin signaling to induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cells by z-Guggulsterone and Gugulipid extract of Ayurvedic medicine plant Commiphora mukul. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 13:203
