Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as RA, affects the joints, causing inflammation, stiffness, pain and swelling. An example of an autoimmune disease, it occurs when the immune system mistakes the lining of the joints as a foreign body and attacks it. It may eventually destroy the entire joint. There is no cure for RA, but drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs help to slow its progression. You might also need to take anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and swelling. The herb guggul might also help to reduce inflammation, although evidence showing it is an effective treatment for RA is lacking. Talk to your doctor before using it.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Guggul has been used as a remedy in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Today, guggul extract is used as an alternative remedy for a host of ailments, including acne, urinary tract disorders, high cholesterol and obesity. It is also sometimes combined with other herbs to treat arthritis, Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes. The exact mechanism by which it may help to reduce inflammation is unclear, but two compounds found in guggul, known as guggulsterone and gugulipid, are the likely source for this herb's properties.
Administration
Guggul is a sticky resin that comes from the mukul myrrh tree. Guggul extract is available in capsules, tablets and tinctures, and it is usually standardized to contain a specific amount of guggulsterones and gugulipids. Since guggul is not a proven treatment for RA, guidance regarding a suitable dose for this condition is lacking. However, Mississippi Baptist Health Systems indicates that a typical dose of guggul extract should provide 100 mg of guggulsterones.
Scientific Evidence
Guggul's efficacy as a treatment for RA has not been evaluated in clinical trials, so it is difficult to know exactly how beneficial it might be. In addition, animal and laboratory studies assessing guggul's anti-inflammatory effects in RA are outdated, as the most recent was published in 1977. With this is mind, it might be wise to stick to treatments that have proven to be effective. Ask your doctor for advice.
Safety Considerations
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems reports that guggul extract is not associated with significant side effects, but it may cause mild gastrointestinal upset or a skin rash. The herb might also interact with other medicines you may be taking, such as anticoagulants and thyroid treatments. Talk to your doctor before using guggul alongside these drugs. Don't use guggul extract if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- Bupa; Rheumatoid Arthritis; November 2009
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; About Herbs: Guggul; August 2010
- Mississppi Baptist Health Systems: Guggul
- "Arzneimittel Forschung"; Comparison of the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Commiphora Mukul (An Indigenous Drug) With Those of Phenylbutazone and Ibuprofen in Experimental Arthritis Induced by Mycobacterial Adjuvant; J.N. Sharma, et al.; July 1977
