So what is Guggulu simply?
Guggul is the common name for the flowering mukul myrrh tree (Commiphora mukul). It is a small, thorny tree that is most typically located in India, in the arid climates of states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat. Guggul in addition refers to the resin produced from the sap of the guggul tree, which has been employed in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,000 years. Guggul is known by the Sanskrit name ‘Guggulu,’ which signifies, ‘protects from disease’ and because Banyan tends to offer herbs in accordance with their Sanskrit names, Guggul is supplied as Guggulu.

There are many kinds of guggul - each with diverse uses - identified in part by the color and age of the gum. It is said that the effectiveness of guggul lasts twenty years. Guggul is a very crucial herb inside the Ayurvedic tradition and while it is rarely taken by itself, a entire class of medicine has been created around the application of guggul (1). Banyan Botanicals carries several of these traditional Ayurvedic formulas, known as guggulus - compounds made from a base of purified guggul in a synergistic combination of other herbal products.

Important things about Guggul

- Stimulates detoxification and rejuvenation*
- Purifies the blood*
- Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range*
- Kindles agni (digestive fire)*
- Stimulates healthy weight management*
- Supports comfortable movement of the joints*
- Is a natural source of antioxidants*
- Strengthens the immune system*
- Helps engender vibrant, healthy skin*
- Supports a regular menstrual cycle*

Guggul has very subtle and penetrating attributes and because of this is deemed a yogavahi, meaning that it is usually applied specifically to carry other substances deep into the tissues. Further, its combination with other herbs actually lends direction to its potent detoxifying and rejuvenating characteristics.

Guggul pacifies vata, pitta, and kapha, though it is especially renowned for alleviating vata aggravations (1). In general, guggul has an affinity for all of the tissues in the body along with the circulatory, digestive, nervous, and respiratory systems. Guggul is very scraping, which permits it to clear toxins from the tissues and channels while rejuvenating them. In fact, it is this scraping quality that gives guggul many of its beneficial attributes.