Gugguluthiktakam – Benefits, Ingredients, Dosage, Indications, Side effects, Interactions, Recommended diet, Behaviour, and Warnings.

Gugguluthiktakam is an ayurvedic formulation mentioned in Ashtangahridaya Vatavyadhi Chikitsa, prepared with its key ingredient  being  guggulu – an oleo-gum resin from the plant- Commiphora mukul(Indian bdellium tree). Guggulu is a versatile drug and due to its paranormal properties ,it is widely used in treating variety of diseases like arthritis, obesity, pain , fracture ,etc.

In Sanskrit, GUGGUL means one that protects from Diseases. Thikthakam is a group of five drugs which includes Nimba(Azadirachta indica),Guduchi(Tinospora cordiflia),Vasa(Adathoda vasica),Patola(Trichosanthes dioica),Kantakari(Solanum xanthocarpum).

Reference

Ashtangahrudyam Chikitsasthanam VataVyadhi. The preparation mentioned is medicated ghee. But the popular presentation is decoction. 

BENEFITS

It has got anti-inflammatory property , anti-rheumatic property and is widely used in treating arthritis, joint pain etc. Studies  reveals its hypolipdemic effect that helps to lower LDL and total cholesterol levels. It is used in non healing wounds, abscess, sinuses and fistula. Useful in the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, hives. It is also beneficial in skin diseases of Vata – Kapha predominance. Reputed in tubercular glands, boils, scabies, eczema, syphilis and anemia.

Used in treating lumbar and cervical Spondylosis. Guggulutiktaka ghrita is widely used in snehapana (preparatory procedure of pancakarma).  This is best to remove all toxins from the body (Ama) and improving the activity of the digestive system. Because it has, Ghee ( Pitta pacifying), Guggulu (Vata Dosha with action on all the three Doshas) and Five Tikta herbs (Pitta and Kapha Pacifying). So Panch Tikta Ghrita Guggulu becomes the best remedy for cure of all digestive disorders. 

Leaving out the ghee part, the decoction prepared out (1part of coarse powder of drugs boiled in 16parts of water and reduced to 4 parts) of it is called Guggulutiktaka kashayam.

This is also available in tablet form and manufactured by leading pharmaceutical houses like Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala, Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala, Kerala Ayurveda, SNA Oushadhasala, AVN Madurai, Sitaram Ayurveda, Oushadhi, Nagarjuna Herbal Concentrates, etc.

INGREDIENTS

INDICATIONS

1. Arthritis
2. Skin diseases
3. Obesity
4. Hyperlipidemia 
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis
6. Carcinoma
7. Auto Immune Disorders

DOSAGE

Kashayam

Take 5-15ml kashayam  mixed with 60 ml boiled water before food, twice daily or as prescribed by the physician.

Ghritham ( Medicated Clarified Butter)

Take 2-10 g of ghrita once or twice, before food daily.

Kashayam Tablets 

1-2 tablets as prescribed by the physician especially for skin diseases. 

SIDE EFFECTS

If used in excess, found to induce gastric irritation. If diet restrictions are not followed, may cause adverse reactions.

INTERACTIONS

Commiphora mukul

Gugulipid, an ethyl acetate extract of the oleoresin, standardized at CDRI, has been marketed in India since 1988 as a hypolipidemic agent. It contains Z-guggulsterones and E-guggulsterones which are purported to be the compounds responsible for the hypolipidemic activity of the guggulu .

The crude ethyl acetate extract of gum guggul is found to suppress inflammatory mediators such as IL-2, TNF-α,  IL-β. No inhibition was observed in the case of anti -inflammatory cytokine IL-10.  Guggul  can  be  used  for  the  treatment  of  pro-inflammatory  chronic  diseases  as  it  suppresses activation of  pro-inflammatory transcription  factor NF-kb.

Κb.GTG(Gugguluthikthakam ghritam) has found to reduce the expression of both pro-inflammatory cytokines. The effect was more pronounced in IL-1β gene than TNF-α. Both TNF-α and IL-1β are primary mediators in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and are potent stimulators of synovial fibroblasts, osteoclasts and chondrocytes [33]. As TNF-α is involved in joint swelling and IL-1β in cell invasion and erosive cartilage damage [34], the inhibition, of both these proinflammatory cytokine production, plays a pivotal role in controlling inflammatory arthritis. The lipid base helps in better absorption and delivery of the active constituents.

Tinospora cordifolia (willd.) Hook. F. and Thoms. 

It is an immune modulatory plant with several other pharmacological properties. It is traditionally used in compound formulations for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The alcoholic extract of T. cordifolia has been found to exert anti-inflammatory actions in models of acute and sub acute inflammation.

DOSHAGNATA- Kaphavatahara

ROGAGNATA- Granthi, medoroga, kusta,nadivrana, arbuda, bhagandara, gandamala,sandhi asthi & majjagatha vataroga, jathrurdwa roga, gulma, arsha, prameha, rajayakshma, aruchi, shwasa, peenasa, kasa, shotha, vidradi, vatarakta and hridrogas.

RECOMMENDED DIET, BEHAVIOUR, WARNING

• Avoid Non Vegetarian food.
• Include more leafy vegetables in the diet.
• Chilly, tamarind and salt must be discarded from the diet.
• Those with skin diseases must avoid curd,wine,day sleep,indulgence in sex
• Avoid overeating, intake of uncooked foods, incompatible foods.
• Take light food and include fresh fruits.
• Avoid excessive stress and alcohol.
• Follow the specific yoga asanas like Bhujangasana, shalabhasana for conditions like lumbar spondylosis.
• Keep away from drugs, narcotics, alcohol, etc.

POPULAR BRANDS

1. Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakal
2. Vaidyaratnam Oushadhsala
3. Nagarjuna Herbal Concentrates
4.  Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, Coimbatore
5. AVN Madurai
6.  Kerala Ayurveda

REFERENCES

Ashatanga hridaya chikitsasthana-(21/57-61)