Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease, causes painful, swollen joints, along with fever and fatigue. Two times more common in women than in men, rheumatoid arthritis has no cure; however, symptoms can be managed. Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants. Natural healers often advise herbal remedies -- such as guggul -- to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Although clinical studies on guggul and rheumatoid arthritis are lacking, limited research supports the beneficial effects of guggul on osteoarthritis, a related condition. Consult your doctor before taking guggul.
Features
Guggul is the yellowish resin from the plant botanically known as Commiphora mukul, a small, thorny shrub indigenous to India and the surrounding regions. It is related to Commiphora myrrha, the plant referred to in the Bible as myrhh. Guggul plays a major role in the Ayurvedic healing system, where it is believed to pacify all three doshas -- or modes of energy in the body -- and reduce pain, swelling and tenderness of inflamed joints. The classical text of Ayurveda, "Sushrita Samhita," specifically recommends guggul for rheumatism, as well as for obesity. In addition to treating arthritis, guggul is presently used for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Constituents and Effects
Guggul contains resin, volatile oils and gums. The active ingredients in guggul are ketonic steroid compounds known as guggulsterones and gugulipids; these are ligands that function as antagonists for bile receptors, giving guggul its cholesterol-reducing properties. Guggul also contains the triterpene, myrrhanol A.
Drugs.com -- which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers -- credits guggul with anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects and notes that it may have the ability to stimulate thyroid activity and lower cholesterol and trigylceride levels. Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health attributes antioxidant effects to guggul.
Research
In a two-month outcome study published in 2003 in "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine," Commiphora mukul extracts were given to patients with osteoarthritis. Researchers noted that the extracts caused significant and objective improvement in symptoms of osteoarthritis, including reduced pain and stiffness; they concluded that guggul was safe and effective in reducing arthritis symptoms. Research on guggul's effects has been ongoing for over three decades, since studies performed by Indian researchers in the 1970s established guggul's potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. In an animal study published in 1977 in "Arzneimittelforschung," a German medical journal translated as "Medical Research," researchers treating arthritic rabbits with a Commiphora mukkul constituent found that it performed as well as phenylbutazone and ibuprofen in decreasing joint swelling.
Usage and Considerations
According to Drugs.com, the usual dosages of guggul is 75 to 150 mg standardized guggulsterones daily. Commercial formulations of guggul have been found to contain virtually none of the advertised guggulsterones; make sure you buy standardized guggul from a reputable supplier. Reported adverse effects from guggul are usually minor and include gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, hiccups and rash. BSCAH notes that guggul should be used with caution by people with liver disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and diarrhea. The use of guggul hasn't been well studied in pregnancy; if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid guggul. Guggul can interact with prescription medications. Consult your doctor before using guggul.
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Guggul Information
- Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health: Guggul
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine"; The Effectiveness of Commiphora Mukul for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: An Outcomes Study; B.B. Singh; May/June 2003
- "Arzneimittelforschung"; 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; July 1977
- MayoClinic.com; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Mayo Clinic Staff; November 2009
- Herbtime: Guggul
