Gum Guggul (10% Guggulsterones)

History and Uses:
Gum Guggul is the sticky gum resin from the mukul myrrh tree and plays a major role in the traditional herbal medicine of India. It was traditionally combined with other herbs for the treatment of arthritis, skin diseases, pains in the nervous system, obesity, digestive problems, infections in the mouth and menstrual problems. In the early 1960s, Indian researchers discovered an ancient Sanskrit medical text that appears to clearly describe the symptoms and treatment of high cholesterol, and one of the main recommendations was the use of Guggul. Subsequent tests in animals found that Gum Guggul both lowered cholesterol levels and also separately protected against the development of hardening of the arteries. Several research trials followed this discovery, culminating in studies examining Guggul's effectiveness in humans. At present, a moderate level of evidence suggests that Guggul can improve cholesterol levels. The primary chemical constituents of Guggul include phytosterols, gugulipids and guggulsterones. A small controlled trial compared oral gugulipid against tetracycline for the treatment of acne and reported equivalent results. Also, a study in mice found potential antidiabetic effects. Guggul is also widely promoted as a weight loss agent that supposedly enhances thyroid function. However, there is little evidence that it actually affects the thyroid, and a small double-blind trial found this herbal substance no more effective than placebo for weight loss. Guggul is typically manufactured in a standardized form that provides a fixed amount of guggulsterones, the presumed active ingredients in Guggul. Gum Guggul is said to help reduce high cholesterol, because it lowers harmful low-density lipoproteins while elevating the beneficial high-density lipoproteins. It is also thought to help prevent blood platelet aggregation and break up already-formed blood clots. Thus, this activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke. Guggul lipid stimulates the activity of white blood cells in the body, contributing to the buildup of the immune system. Assisting with the body's natural reaction to fight off infection, Guggul lipid also helps to eliminate and expel dead tissues, wastes and toxins from the body. Guggul lipid has been used to relieve coughing and lung congestion, soothe mucous membranes and alleviate other respiratory problems. Gum Guggul may also be used to treat arthritis and reduce inflammation of the joints. Known topical applications include its use for canker sores. Guggul lipids have been the subject of several scientific studies, the results of which have been extremely encouraging as to the product's nutritional value to the circulatory system.