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Botanical

Guggul

Guggul is the resin of the Commiphora mukul tree and has a long history of use in Ayurveda. It contains plant steroids called guggulsterones.

Also listed as Commiphora mukul, Commiphora Wightii, Guggulsterones, pregna-4

LongevityWeight ManagementBone & JointOrgan FunctionCardiovascular

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study
Weight lossWeight ManagementSmallCNo linked study
Joint ComfortBone & JointSmallCNo linked study
InflammationSmallCNo linked study
Thyroid HealthOrgan FunctionSmallCNo linked study
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascularSmallCNo linked study
Every rating with its studiesGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What is guggul?

Guggul comes from the resin of Commiphora mukul and has a history of Ayurvedic use. Its guggulsterones affect cholesterol-related pathways in laboratory experiments; cholesterol reductions in mice helped motivate human research. 1

Why people take it

Energy14.5%
Weight Management13.7%
Essential Health12.6%
Immune Support10.8%
Detox10.4%
Cardiovascular10.4%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is standardized guggul guaranteed to lower LDL?

No. The US trial found an LDL increase. 2

Does a laboratory mechanism prove a benefit?

No. Cholesterol-related effects in cells and mice did not translate consistently into human trial results. 1

Do liver reports prove that guggul alone caused the injury?

No. The reported products contained several ingredients, making attribution uncertain. 3

Sources

  1. Guggul Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center