Botanical Spotlight on Ayuervedic Herbal Medicine - Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
Posted by Shawn Freedman, Product Development Manager on Sep 1st 2021
Cho-Less™ is a multi-ingredient formulation which features specially selected ingredients that work together to promote healthy lipid metabolism and cardiovascular function. Along with the chief ingredient red yeast rice, Cho-Less™ contains artichoke leaf, pantethine, guggul, niacin, beta-sitosterol and policosanol. These 6 additional ingredients are crucial components of the formula and are largely responsible for its wide range of cardiovascular benefits. Let’s take a closer look at one of these featured ingredients, a premium quality extract guggul (Commiphora mukul).
History
Guggul extract, also known as Bdellium, is derived from the mukul myrrh tree, a small thorny plant that grows from northern Africa to central Asia, though it is most common to northern India. The tree exudes a sticky yellow aromatic resin from its stems. This resin has been utilized in India’s traditional medical system of Ayurveda for thousands of years to promote healthy cardiovascular function. Classic Ayurvedic texts detail the resin’s usefulness for promoting healthy body composition and healthy lipid metabolism. Guggul’s name in Sanskrit means “one that protects against diseases”, a display of the great reverence held for this herb.
How It Works
Most of the research on guggul has taken place in India, where it is one of the most common herbal medicines used to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels already in a normal range . It was found that guggul contains a group of compounds known as guggulsterones. These compounds are considered the primary active compounds and are believed to work by two distinctive mechanisms. They encourage bile production, which is required for the proper digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the lower intestines. They also promote healthy thyroid function, which supports the liver’s ability to process, metabolize and excrete cholesterol.
Potency
When purchasing guggul products, it is vital that the extract be assessed for proper potency. The active constituents responsible for the cardiovascular health benefits of the plant are the aforementioned guggulsterones, with guggulsterone E and guggulsterone Z being considered the most important in the group. Cho-Less™ features Gugulipid®, a potent extract of guggul standardized to contain a minimum of 7.5% guggulsterones E and Z to ensure efficacy.