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Guggul, the sticky gum resin from the mukul myrrh tree, plays a major role in the traditional herbal medicine of India. It was traditionally combined with other herbs for the treatment of
arthritis, skin diseases, pains in the nervous system, obesity, digestive problems, cardiovascular problems, mouth infections, heart attack, and menstrual problems.
WHAT IS GUGGUL USED FOR TODAY?
In the early 1960s, Indian researchers discovered an ancient Sanskrit medical text that
appears to clearly
describe the symptoms and treatment of high cholesterol. One of the
main recommendations was guggul. Subsequent tests in animals found that guggul gum both lowered cholesterol levels and also separately protected against the development of hardening of the arteries.
Numerous research trials followed this discovery, culminating in preliminary studies examining guggul's effectiveness in
humans. The evidence was strong enough for the Indian government to approve guggul as a treatment for high cholesterol.
It appears that guggul can lower cholesterol by about 11 to 12% and triglycerides by 12.5 to
17%. The full benefits may take several months to develop.
NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS
If you are taking these drugs:
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MAO inhibitors: The caffeine in green tea could cause serious problems
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Coumadin (warfarin): Large doses of green tea could interfere with its effectiveness, because green tea contains vitamin K, which directly counteracts Coumadin's blood-thinning action.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR USING GUGGUL
A double-blind placebo-controlled study of guggul for reducing cholesterol enrolled 61 individuals and followed them for 24 weeks.9 After 12 weeks of following a healthy diet, half the participants received placebo and the other half received guggul at a dose providing 100 mg of guggulsterones daily. The results after 24 weeks of treatment showed that the treated group experienced an 11.7% decrease
in total cholesterol, along with a 12.7% decrease in LDL ("bad") cholesterol, a 12% decrease in
triglycerides, and an 11.1% decrease in the total cholesterol!HDL ("good") cholesterol ratio. These improvements were significantly greater than what was seen in the placebo group.
Similar results were seen in a placebo-controlled trial of 40 individuals (the study report didn't state whether or not it was double-blind) Another double-blind study of 228 individuals given either guggul or the standard drug clofibrate found approximately equal efficacy between the two
treatments.
Guggul is also known as: Commiphora
mukul , Guggulipid, Gum Gugul
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All information presented is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to
administer to any
physical ailments. In all
matters related to your health please contact a
qualified, licensed practitioner.
All Information on web page & pages linked to it are provided by GBS International training pack 1995/2002;
Dr. Mark Crapo nutritional seminars; The Herb
Encyclopedia & Sara St.Louis RN, CIC, NP, MPA |