Many acne treatments are available, including topical solutions and oral medications. Topical treatment usually is not sufficient for severe forms of acne. Some people prefer to avoid drug therapy if possible and look for a more natural solution. If you're interested in an herbal remedy for acne, guggul is a possibility. Consult with a qualified health care provider before beginning any herbal therapy such as guggul.
Acne
Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder associated with overproduction of skin oil, clogged pores and a type of bacteria called P. acnes. Excess oil and dead skin cells can block pores, creating inflammation and an environment where P. acnes can thrive. Nodulocystic acne is a severe form, with inflamed and painful nodules and cysts developing under the skin. Doctors usually treat this type of acne with an aggressive regimen of oral antibiotics or isotretinoin, and sometimes corticosteroid injections, explains the American Academy of Dermatology.
Guggul
Guggul is derived from the resin of the plant commiphora mukul, also called commiphora wightii and the mukul myrrh tree. This plant has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, the traditional medicinal system of India, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Extracts of this plant alone and in combination with other botanical substances are used to treat various health conditions including arthritis, urinary disorders and skin diseases.
Effectiveness
An oral guggul extract had similar effects in treating nodulocystic acne as the antibiotic tetracycline during a study published in the October 1994 issue of the "Journal of Dermatology." Tetracycline is a standard treatment for moderate to severe acne. The participants took gugulipid tablets standardized for the active component guggulsterone, or 500 mg of tetracycline, twice daily for three months. Both substances produced progressive improvement in most patients, with a reduction in inflammatory lesions between 65 to 68 percent for both groups.
Side Effects
A few minor side effects are associated with guggul, as noted by the MSKCC. Some people experience mild nausea, loose stools, hiccups, belching and headaches. Hypersensitivity to guggul could cause a rash.
Caution
Because guggul may have estrogen-like effects, people with a history of hormone-related cancers or an increased risk for these diseases should not take this herb, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. Additionally, guggul could interact with birth control pills containing estrogen, and with other plants that have estrogen-like effects, such as soy and black cohosh. Guggul also may have thyroid-stimulating properties, so it may not be advisable for individuals taking thyroid supplements.
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