Guggulu is the one of the most used and potent drug of Ayurveda, which literally means that ‘It protects body from those diseases which may otherwise decrease the strength of body’.

The Atharvaveda, one of the four holy Vedas of Hindus’, is the earliest reference of Guggulu. Our Acharyas believed that there are some invisible creatures present in air around us and are responsible for many diseases. In modern context these invisible creatures can be compared with micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and allergens. Aroma of Guggulu is said Krimighna and insect repellent. Guggulu plays very important role in destroying these micro-organisms by is Dhupan karma (Fumigation). In Atharva veda Guggulu is also mentioned as a best medicine to cure Yakshma (Tuberculosis) because it is said that Guggulu develops through the rays of Sun and yakshma jivanu can not survive in the light.

            Acharya Charak included Guggulu in Sangya Sthapan Mahakasaya and Kashaya Skanda. In Susrut it is described that new Guggulu increases the bulk of body (brimhana property) and old one reduces the bulk and weight of body (Lekhan property). Guggulu is described under the Eladi Gana in Ashtanga Samgraha and Ashtanga Hridaya. Vagbhatta prescribed Guggulu as a most important drug for Vata vaydhi and medoroga (obesity)

       “Guggulurmedoanilharanam”                           (A. S. Su. 13)

       “Medoanile gugguluh”                                        (A. H. Ut. 40)

 Bhavprakash described total five varieties of Guggulu i.e. Mahishaksha, Mahanila, Kumuda, Padma and Hiranya. According to him only Hiranya guggulu is beneficial for human being. Now a days two types of guggulu are available i.e. ‘Kana Guggulu’ with translucent small particles and granular form and ‘Bhainsa Guggulu or Mahishaksha guggulu’ with greenish tinge like buffalo’s eye.   

Grade 1– Contains translucent guggulu free from bark, sand and adulterants         

 Grade 2 - Guggulu mixed with bark and sand, dull coloured.

Grade 3- Guggulu of inferior quality, mixed with lot of extraneous matters

Gum Boswellia serrata (Shallaki) and Hymenodictyon excelsum are used as common adulterants in the gum resin of guggulu. Other common adulterants are Albizia lebbeck (shirish), Butea monosperma (Palash), Moringa olifera (Sehzan), Acacia nilotica (Babbul) and Acacia catechu ( Khair) etc.

            So the resin must be tested for quality before use. The variety which bursts in to flame when put in to fire, melts and evaporate on heating, dissolves easily in hot water, is best for use.

            Guggulu resin is produced more abundantly and is stronger during winter and summer. The primary chemical constituents of Guggulu include Phytosterol, Guggulipid and Guggulsterols. Guggulu gum is mixture of 61% resin, 29.3% gum, 6.1% water 0.6% volatile oil and 3.2% foreign matter.

Properties of guggulu gum are viscous, light, penetrating, and drying. It is hot in potency (Virya) and post-digestive effect (Vipak), Vata and Kapha pacifying, and Pitta aggravating. Its actions are antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, uterotonic, alternative, stomachic, and sedative. It can be used alone or in combination for Obesity, Gout, Sciatica, Hemiplegia, Dyspepsia, Cough, Dysmenorrhoea, Amenorrhoea and Urinary calculus etc. The Guggulu gum is used as an anti-inflammatory, anthelminic, antiseptic, and as a nervine tonic.

Whole Ayurvedic science is based upon three dosas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha in which Vata is the main causative factor of most of diseases. Total eighty specific diseases (Nanatmak Vyadhis) are caused by only Vata which are more than the specific diseases totally caused by Pitta and Kapha ( Ch. Su.20 ) and Guggulu, alone or in combination, is most potent and important drug to fight against Vata disorders.