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Introduction:
Indian bdellium or
Gugal (गूगल) also known as myrrh is a tree which exudes a resinous sap out of incisions that are made in its bark. This resin has been used for centuries
in India as a traditional medicine in Ayurveda. The Atharva Veda, is the earliest reference to
the medicinal and therapeutic properties of guggul. The plant Commiphora wightii
provides oleo gum resin mentioned by Sushruta (3000 year ago) as being a
valuable drug. The oleo gum resin commonly known as “gum guggul” or “Indian
myrrh” is the economically important product of Indian bdellium.
The extract, called gugulipid, guggulipid or guglipid, comes from the guggal or
guggul tree and has been used in Ayurvedic medicinel for a wide variety of conditions
mainly in rheumatism, obesity, and atherosclerosis. Guggul helps to lower cholesterol and
triglycerides. Gugal or Guggul is the resinous gum, obtained from the barks
of the tree. It is an irregular roundish glistering mass and is opaque, reddish brown when dry and aromatic.
Common Name:
Hindi - Gugal, Guggul (गूगल)
English - Indian bdellium tree
Latin - Commiphora mukul
Sanskrit - Guggulu, Mahisaksha
Tamil - Gukkulu, Mahisaksi
Kannada - Guggulu aa
Telgu - Guggulu
Malayalam- Gulgulu, Mahisaksagulgulu
Marathi
- Gugul
Gujarati - Gugala
Bengali - Guggulu
FAMILY : Burseraceae |
Indian bdellium
Gum is an irregular roundish glistering mass and is opaque,
reddish brown when dry and aromatic.
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Indian bdellium:
The guggul tree can be found from northern Africa to central Asia, but is
generally confined to northern India. Indian bdellium tree
is a small armed tree with spine scent
branches and ash - coloured rough bark, peeling off in flakes. The leaves are alternate, simple, smooth and shiny. The leaves are small similar to those of
neem. The flowers are unisexual or bisexual, present as solitaries or in clusters. The flowers are red and the fruit is oval in shape and pulpy in
nature. Flowering - fruiting period is from January to
May
The gum resin is obtained by making incisions in the bark and is collected during the winter
season. The resin is pale yellow, brown or dull green in colour. It has a bitter, aromatic taste
and balsamic odour.
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Chemical Constituents:
Indian bdellium tree Gum contains volatile oil 7 to 17 %, resin 25 to 40 %, gum 57 to 61 % and 3 to 4 % impurities. Volatile oil contains cuminic
aldehyde, eugenol, metacresol, pinene, limonene, dipentene and two
sesquiterpenes. Resin contains three free resin acids 0, 13 and y commiphoric acids, esters of another resin acid and two phenolic resins. The
major chemical constituents are
Lignans: Guggullignan-I and guggullignan-IP
Lipids: Long chain aliphatic tetrols: octadecan-1,2,3,4-tetrol, eicosan-l ,2,3,4-tetrol and nonadecan-l,2,3,4-tetrol.
Terpenes and phenylpropanoids: Cembrene-A and mukulol4 were isolated
from gum resin. An essential oil, prepared by the steam distillation of the gum resin, contains myrcene and eugenol.
Sterols : Z-guggulsterone, E-guggulsterone, guggulsterol I, II and III and β-Sitosterol.
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Cultivation
Indian bdellium tree mainly
found in arid rocky tracks of Rajasthan, Mysore, Saurashtra - Kutchh (Gujarat) , Aassam, Silhat, Sindh and
Baluchistan, Singapore, Arabastan and Africa. It grows best in arid and semi-arid
climates, in sandy to silt loam soils, and is usually resistant to drought and
salinity. The plant can also be found growing at altitudes of up to 600 to 1100
meters (1968.5 to 3608.9 feet) above sea level, as well as in temperatures ranging from 22 to 39°C.
It is propagated by stem - cuttings and seeds. When the bdellium
tree reaches maturity, it is tapped from the main stem. Tapping is usually takes place during the
winter season in the months of December to February period. It
is suitable for tapping when the plant reaches 7.5 cm in diameter.The resin ducts are
located in the bark near the cambial layer. Deep circular incisions are
made below the plant, allowing the resin to ooze out and slowly solidify. The color
of the gum is generally a yellowish white and its texture is latex-like.
The collection of the resin can be manual or can be done with a spear, and is done at an interval of
10 to 15 days. The collected gum is graded according to its purity.
Indian bdellium as Medicinal Gum
Indian bdellium Guggul is considered useful in many disease
Guggul helps to weight loss: Guggul possesses strong disinfecting properties and is a weight loss and fat burning agent.
Guggul helps to lower cholesterol: It has been shown to reduce total cholesterol up to 30% in 3 months. Guggul’s cholesterol regulating properties are especially important in reducing LDL by 35% and increasing HDL by 20% in 12 weeks. Guggul decreases platelet stickiness and reduces risk of heart disease and stroke. It lowers elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides, while maintaining or improving the HDL to LDL ratio.
Guggul helps in arthritic pains: Guggul is useful in arthritic pains and helps in reversing the degenerative changes that occur in joints and bones. The herb is widely used in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gout,
osteoarthritis, sciatica, paralysis, hemiplegia, lymphadenopathy, etc.
Guggul helps in skin diseases: Since it acts as a blood purifier, it is widely used in skin diseases. Guggul helps in promoting the production of red blood corpuscles
(RBC) and improving the action of white blood corpuscles (WBC).
Guggul helps in digestive system: It helps in strengthening the digestive system, easy secretion of digestive juices, works as an appetizer and avoids indigestion and constipation.
It is beneficial in hemorrhoids and colitis and relieves from hyperacidity and belching.
Guggul helps in treating leprosy: Guggul helps in treating leprosy and eczema. Its extract also helps in
fighting tumors.
As a wash: It is good for spongy gums, ulcerated throat and aphthous stomatitis, and the tincture is also applied to foul and indolentulcers
Indian bdellium uses
In commercial market, two types of guggulu are
available. Twigs are used as herbal tooth brush. Tincture of Commiphora mukul is used in Homeopathy.
Guggul is sought for its gummy resin Resin is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees.
It is valued for its chemical constituents and uses, such as varnishes and
adhesives, as an important source of raw materials for organic synthesis, or for incense and perfume.
Incense is composed of aromatic biotic materials, which release fragrant smoke
when burned. Incense being sold in an Indian marke. The Indian incense is known as agarbatti
in Hindi, is burned over hot coals. This produces a fragrant dense smoke. This is said to drives
away mosquitoes, especially from the dark corners.
Indian bdellium Known Hazards
Although the use of guggul in therapeutic doses appears to be safe and non-toxic, but it should not be
used during pregnancy. Guggul has to be purified in cow's milk in order to remove toxic substances and render the guggulu easily absorbable.
Guggul extract can generate side effects like headache, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain and skin irritation in some individuals.
Economics
There is a huge market for the Indian bdellium.. The economics of the guggul plant:
Yield per hectare (2.5 acres) after 5 years – 3200 kg/hec (2821.6 lb/acre)
Sale Price – Rs. 208000/- @ Rs. 65-85 per Kg approx.
Expenditure – Rs. 12000/- per hectare
Net profit/hectare/year – Rs. 54000/-
The commercial Bdelliums are naturally divided into the Indian and the African, but E. M. Holmes, in an elaborate study, recognizes five commercial varieties
of African Bdellium—namely: Perfumed Bdellium, which is believed to be collected in Northeastern Africa;
African Bdellium; Opaque Bdellium; Hotai Bdellium from the Somaliland, and A non-aromatic acrid gum resin.
Recent research
Studies report that Indian bdellium
increases the production of thyroid hormone. Since this hormone breaks down cells of protein, fat and carbohydrates, this herb is believed to be promoting weight loss.
Dr. Vineet Soni is working from last 9 years to save guggul plants through biotechnological and community based
conservation. His "Save Guggul Movement" in Rajasthan state receiving warm
appriciation from rural and tirbal peoples of Rajasthan. He is running a series
of awareness programs in various parts of Rajasthan to make people aware about the importance and conservation of guggul plants.
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