Guggulu Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Name	Main Action	Dosha Targeted
Kaishore Guggulu	Liver detoxicant / Bitter alterative (w/ Guduchi)	Pitta-Kapha
Kanchanar Guggulu	Regulates thyroid, reduces growths	Kapha
Gokshuradi Guggulu	Cold detoxicant / diuretic / genitourinary	Vata-Pitta
Punarnavadi Guggulu	Hot detoxicant / purgative diuretic	Kapha
Triphala Guggulu	Laxative detoxicant
Simhanada Guggulu	Strong laxative / detoxicant (with Castor Oil)
Yogaraj Guggulu	Nervine detoxicant	Vata

Metabolic Nature of Guggulu

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

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MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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AGGRAVATES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

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Other

Subtaste:

Resinous

RESINOUS

Resinous substances often contain sap in them, such as rosemary, or herbs such as cedar, frankincense, and guggulu.

SEE ALL 'RESINOUS' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:

Bone Joint, Heart Circulation Blood, Immune System, Reproductive Health, Weight Loss, Womens Health

Family:

Burseraceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Guggulu
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

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Digestion:

Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

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Cleanse & Detox:

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

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Energy Vitality:

Stimulates Energy

STRONG STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

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Antiseptic

ANTISEPTIC

Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Helpful in infections and for those with weak immune systems.

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Immune Stimulant

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

Stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.

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Heart & Circulation:

Antiplatelet

STRONG ANTIPLATELET

An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.

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Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

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Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

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Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

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Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

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Weight Loss:

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

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Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

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Raises Thyroid

RAISES-THYROID

An herb that increases thyroid function.

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Reproductive Health:

Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Bone & Joint:

Antiarthritic

ANTIARTHRITIC

Herbs that ease arthritic pain and promote joint health.

SEE ALL 'ANTIARTHRITIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Guggulu

Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Antiarthritic, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Alterative, Antiplatelet, Emmenagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Spleen-tonic
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Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Antiarthritic, Emmenagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Antiplatelet, Hypolipidemic, Spleen-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant
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Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Spleen-tonic, Antiarthritic, Hypolipidemic, Stimulates-energy, Antiplatelet, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator
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Nigella (black cumin)

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Lowers-blood-sugar, Vasodilator, Immune-stimulant, Spleen-tonic
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Cilantro

Cilantro has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Spleen-tonic, Alterative, Hypolipidemic, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant
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Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Hypolipidemic, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant
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Beets

Beets has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant
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Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common
Emmenagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Hypolipidemic, Spleen-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy
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Allspice

Allspice has these Actions in Common
Spleen-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Lowers-blood-sugar, Vasodilator, Antiarthritic
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Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antiseptic, Spleen-tonic, Emmenagogue, Stimulates-energy, Antiarthritic
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Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common
Antiseptic, Spleen-tonic, Emmenagogue, Stimulates-energy, Antiarthritic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common
Antiplatelet, Blood-thinner, Emmenagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Antiarthritic
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Manjistha

Manjistha has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Alterative, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Blood-tonic, Emmenagogue, Hypolipidemic
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Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Blood-tonic, Emmenagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Antiplatelet
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Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory
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Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, Emmenagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory
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Shilajit Tonic

Shilajit Tonic has these Actions in Common
Alterative, Hypolipidemic, Immune-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Raises-thyroid, Stimulates-energy
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Neem Leaf

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic
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Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common
Antiplatelet, Blood-thinner, Emmenagogue, Hypolipidemic, Immune-stimulant, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator
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Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common
Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Blood-thinner, Immune-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator
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Ginkgo

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antiplatelet, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Alterative
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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Guggulu Herbal Powder (Commiphora mukul)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Comparison of Guggulus

Metabolic Nature of Guggulu

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

RESINOUS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Guggulu Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

SPLEEN-TONIC

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

STRONG STIMULATES-ENERGY

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

ANTISEPTIC

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

STRONG ANTIPLATELET

ALTERATIVE

BLOOD-THINNER

BLOOD-TONIC

VASODILATOR

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

RAISES-THYROID

EMMENAGOGUE

ANTIARTHRITIC

Foods with a Similar Nature to Guggulu

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

Cilantro has these Actions in Common

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Beets has these Actions in Common

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Allspice has these Actions in Common

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common

Manjistha has these Actions in Common

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Shilajit Tonic has these Actions in Common

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

Angelica has these Actions in Common

Yarrow has these Actions in Common

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Heart, Blood & Circulation

Bones, Muscles & Tendons

Mind, Stress & Sleep

Skin Care

Reproductive Health

Weight Loss

Respiratory, Lung, Throat & Sinus

Digestion

CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

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Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Guggulu
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS