Guggulu

Guggul, guggulu in Sanskrit, is a thorny shrub of the dry Rajasthan and Gujarat desert whose fragrant gum resin is one of Ayurveda’s most used ingredients, in formulas such as yogaraj guggulu and triphala guggulu. Heavy, damaging tapping has made it critically endangered in the wild. A 2003 clinical trial found guggul did not lower cholesterol and caused rashes in some people.

Botanical name

Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari

Family

Burseraceae

Tamil

Maishakshi

Hindi

Guggul

Sanskrit

Guggulu

Parts used

Oleo-gum-resin

Habit

Thorny desert shrub tapped for gum resin

Last updated

2026-10-30

How to recognise Guggulu

It is a small, thorny, much-branched shrub, usually one to three metres tall.

The bark is ash-grey and peels in papery flakes.

The leaves are small and usually have three toothed leaflets.

Small, brownish-red flowers appear in clusters, followed by small red drupes.

Cut bark oozes a pale yellow resin that hardens into fragrant lumps.

Traditional use of Guggulu

Ayurveda

Guggulu is processed and combined with herbs in formulas for joints, weight and cholesterol.

Ayurvedic practice

Ritual

Guggul resin is burned as incense in temples and homes.

Indian ritual practice

Ayurveda

Raw guggul is purified before use, traditionally by boiling it in triphala decoction or milk.

Ayurvedic practice

Modern notes on Guggulu

Its guggulsterones were studied as cholesterol-lowering agents, but a 2003 trial in the United States found no benefit.

Guggul can interact with thyroid, blood-thinning and other medicines.

Over-tapping with deep cuts kills shrubs, and the species is now listed as critically endangered.

Guggulu safety

Use guggul only under a trained practitioner, and avoid it in pregnancy or with blood thinners. Stop if a rash appears.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows on dry, rocky ground in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Pakistan and southern Iran.

It grows very slowly and regenerates poorly in the wild.

Cultivation programmes in Rajasthan aim to reduce pressure on wild plants.

Related plants

Also in Burseraceae

Questions about Guggulu

What is guggul?

A gum resin from this desert shrub.

Does Guggulu lower cholesterol?

A major trial found it did not.

Is Guggulu endangered?

Yes, critically, in the wild.

Is Guggulu the same as salai guggul?

No. Salai is Boswellia serrata.

Is Guggulu used as incense?

Yes.

How is the resin collected?

Cuts are made in the bark in winter, and the hardened resin is collected weeks later.

Sources

• Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
• Wikidata item Q901803 (Commiphora wightii)

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.