Guggulu Formulations: Traditional Use and Research
Guggulu formulations use resin from the mukul myrrh tree; this guide covers traditional use, cholesterol trials that found little or no benefit, rash and interaction cautions.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What guggulu is
Guggul (guggulu) is the resin of the mukul myrrh tree, Commiphora mukul. [1] In Ayurveda it is used on its own and as the base of many named formulations, such as yogaraj guggulu and kaishore guggulu. A classical formulation, maha yogaraj guggulu, is described in research as a herbomineral polyherbal preparation, meaning it includes mineral ingredients along with plants. [2] This page gives no doses and does not tell anyone to treat themselves.Traditional use versus research
Guggul is widely used in Asia as a cholesterol-lowering agent based on Indian Ayurvedic medicine. [1] Researchers proposed that guggulsterones, thought to be the active compounds, act on nuclear hormone receptors involved in cholesterol metabolism. [3] That is a proposed mechanism. The question for readers is whether trials showed lower cholesterol.What trials of guggul and guggulu found
| Study | What was done | Result |
|---|---|---|
| JAMA 2003, Philadelphia | 103 adults with high cholesterol, placebo-controlled, 8 weeks, standardized extract at two strengths. | LDL cholesterol rose 4% and 5% on guggulipid while falling 5% on placebo. No significant change in total cholesterol, HDL or triglycerides. Six people on guggulipid developed a hypersensitivity rash. [3] |
| Norwegian trial | 43 adults randomized, 34 with complete data, 12 weeks. | Total cholesterol and HDL fell compared with placebo; LDL, triglycerides and the ratio did not change significantly. Ten guggul users (vs four on placebo) reported side effects, including stomach discomfort, possible thyroid problems (2) and rash (1). [1] |
| Italian trial, guggulu plus triphala | 90 adults at low to moderate cardiovascular risk, 3 months. | Not better than placebo for total or LDL cholesterol, BMI or waist. Two people on treatment developed a hypersensitivity rash. [4] |
| Natural Standard review | Reviewed earlier studies up to 2005. | Most earlier studies were small and flawed. Conclusion: not enough evidence to support use for any medical condition. [5] |
Label: no good evidence of benefit for cholesterol, with some evidence of harm signals (rash, possibly higher LDL in one trial). Studies from before 2003 suggested lower cholesterol, but the review calls most of them small and methodologically flawed. [5]
Other uses and named formulations
- Yogaraj guggulu, kaishore guggulu and similar products. I found no randomized trial of kaishore guggulu to read, only a single case report in dry gangrene. [6] A case report cannot show that a treatment works, so the label is traditional use only.
- Drug-metabolism effects. In laboratory and rat experiments, maha yogaraj guggulu and guggulsterone inhibited CYP3A4, an enzyme that processes many medicines, which the authors said could lead to clinically significant interactions. [2] This is preclinical, not shown in people.
Related pages
Cholesterol evidence across Ayurvedic treatments is in Ayurveda for blood pressure and cholesterol. The Italian combination trial is also covered on the triphala page. For lab values in general, see standard blood tests and healthy aging.Frequently asked questions
What is guggulu?
The resin of the mukul myrrh tree, Commiphora mukul, used on its own and in classical formulations. [1]
Does guggulu lower cholesterol?
Not reliably. The best-designed US trial found LDL rose slightly, [3] a Norwegian trial found mixed changes, [1] and an Italian trial of guggulu with triphala found no benefit over placebo. [4]
What side effects are reported?
Stomach upset and allergic skin rash, with possible thyroid problems reported by two people in one trial. [1] A US trial reported rash in 6 people on guggulipid. [3]
Is kaishore guggulu or yogaraj guggulu proven?
I found no randomized trial of kaishore guggulu, only one case report. [6] Yogaraj guggulu has laboratory evidence of enzyme inhibition, but not proof of benefit. [2]
Is guggulu safe in pregnancy?
A review advises avoiding guggul in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children. [5] See Ayurvedic herbs: interactions, pregnancy and children.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
- Side effects. Stomach discomfort and allergic rash appear in the trial and review reports above. [5] [1]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children. The review advises avoiding guggul in these groups and notes safety beyond 4 months is not well studied. [5]
- Herbomineral products. Some Ayurvedic preparations contain metals; see heavy metals and product quality. Surveys found lead, mercury or arsenic in about one in five products sold online. [7]
- Medicines and thyroid. Because of the possible interaction and the thyroid reports in one trial, [1] ask a clinician or pharmacist before taking guggulu with prescribed medicines. Do not replace cholesterol medicine with it.
References
- Nohr LA, Rasmussen LB, Straand J. Resin from the mukul myrrh tree, guggul, can it be used for treating hypercholesterolemia? A randomized, controlled study. Complement Ther Med 2009;17(1):16-22. Read 2026-10-22.
- Sabarathinam S, et al. CYP3A4 mediated pharmacokinetics drug interaction potential of Maha-Yogaraj Gugglu and E, Z guggulsterone. Sci Rep 2021;11:715. Read 2026-10-22.
- Szapary PO, et al. Guggulipid for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003;290(6):765-772. Read 2026-10-22.
- Donato F, et al. Guggulu and Triphala for the Treatment of Hypercholesterolaemia: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomised Trial. Complement Med Res 2021;28(3):216-225. Read 2026-10-22.
- Ulbricht C, et al. Guggul for hyperlipidemia: a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Complement Ther Med 2005;13(4):279-290. Read 2026-10-22.
- Bharati PL, Agrawal P, Prakash O. A case study on the management of dry gangrene by Kaishore Guggulu, Sanjivani Vati and Dashanga Lepa. Ayu 2019;40(1):48-52. Read 2026-10-22.
- Saper RB, et al. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA 2008;300(8):915-923. Read 2026-10-22.