MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Importance and chemical composition

The Commiphora mukul tree

Guggul or Indian Bdellium (Commiphora mukul Hook.) is a small tree belonging to family Burseraceae. This plant is a source of Indian Bdellium, an oleo-gum-resin obtained by incision of the bark. The resin is largely used as incense, as a fixative in perfumery and in medicine. In indigenous medicine it is used as an astringent, antiseptic and digestant. It is highly effective in the treatment of obesity, arthritis and indolent ulcers. Inhalation of the fumes of burnt guggul is recommended in hay fever, acute and chronic cataeeh, chronic laryngitis, chronic bronchitis and phthisis. It is an ingredient of ointment of ulcers. Due to its property of lowering the cholesterol level of blood it is in good demand in modern medicine also.