the gum resin, which contains guggulsterone, a steroid compound. It appears to be effective in lowering blood levels of both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Studies have shown guggulsterone to have approximately the same effectiveness as the antibiotic tetracycline for the treatment of nodulocystic acne.
Guggul is most often available in tablet or capsule form, as a purified extract. Formulations should have a standardized concentration of guggulsterone.
Guggul has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat arthritis, inflammation, bone fractures , overweight, and disorders of lipid metabolism.
In studies using purer extracts, significant adverse effects have not occurred. Headache and mild nausea are sometimes reported.
The mukul myrrh tree, or Commiphora mukul, is small, thorny, and usually devoid of foliage. It grows naturally throughout India and Arabia. Guggul is the gum resin that comes from this tree