Guggul

Biological Source

Guggul consists of exudate of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhand, Syn. Balsamodendron mukul Hook. ex Stocks Commiphora mukul Engl.), (Family - Burseraceae), a small perennial tree or shrub upto 1.2-1.8 m high, occuring in rocky tracts of Rajasthan, Gujarat , exudate is collected during winter season by making the incisions in the bark or in summer, falling from the bark itself.

Synonyms

Sanskrit :- Pura, Mahisaksa, Kausika, Palankasa

Assam :- Guggul

Bengali :- Guggula

English :- Gum-gugul, Indian Bdellium

Gujrati :- Gugal, Guggal, Gugar

Hindi :- Guggul

Kannada :- Kanthagana, Guggala, Mahishaksha guggulu, Guggulugida, Guggulu Guggal

Kashmiri :- Guggul Dhoop, Kanth Gan

Malayalam :- Gulgulu, Guggulu

Marathi :- Guggul, Mahishaksh

Oriya :- Guggulu

Punjabi :- Guggal

Tamil :- Mahisaksi Guggalu

Telugu :- Makishakshi guggulu, Guggipannu

Urdu :- Muqil (Shihappu)

Description

A) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in vermicular or stalactitic pieces of pale yellow or brown coloured mass, makes milky emulsion in hot water and readily burns, when fresh viscid and golden coloured, odour, aromtic, taste., bitter and astringent.

Identity, Purity and Strength

Foreign matter :- Not more than 4 per cent,

Total Ash Not :- more than 5 per cent,

Acid-insoluble ash :- Not more than 1 per cent,

Alcohol-soluble extractive :- Not less than 27 per cent,

Water-soluble extractive :- Not less than 53 per cent,

Volatile oil :- Not less than 1 per cent,

Active Constituents

Essential oil, gum, resin, steroids.

Properties and Action

Rasa :- Katu, Tikta, Kasaya

Guna :- Laghu, Sara, Vasada

Virya :- Usna

Vipaka :- Katu

Karma :- Balya, Rasayana, Varnya, Vatabalasajit, Bhagnasandhanakrt, Medohara

Important Formulations

Vatari Guggulu, Yogaraja Guggulu, Sihanada Guggulu,

Kaishor Guggulu, Mahayogaraja Guggulu,

Candraprabha Vati

Therapeutic Uses

Amavata, Kustha, Prameha, Vatavyadi, Granthi, Sopha,

Gandamala, Medoroga

Dose

2-4 g of the drug