A Review on Guggulu Kalpana (Commiphora Wightii) in Ayurveda

Abstract

Bhaishajya Kalpana deals with the Basic Ayurvedic pharmaceutics like Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana and other secondary formulations like Churna, Vati, Guggulu, Sneha and Sandhana Kalpana, among all these Kalpanas now a days Guggulu Kalpana is widely used. It is used not only as medicine but also in religious rituals. The earliest reference of Guggulu is found in Atharvaveda. Guggulu is exudate (Niryasa) of Commiphora wightii (Arn. Bhandari). It is translucent, solid, sticky adhesive, oilo-gumresine. Guggulu is used as a binding agent and also as a main ingredient in various formulations. When Vati is prepared with Guggulu; known as Guggulu Vati Kalpana. In classical text, there is no separate chapter for Guggulu Kalpana. In Sharangadhara Samhita, Guggulu Kalpana is described under Vati Kalpana. A screening through Brihattrayee revealed that, Guggulu was preferred to be dispensed internally in the form of liquid or semi-liquid or semi-solids. Guggulu in Vati form entered in the field of therapeutics after 11th AD (Chakradutta), because of certain added advantages of solid dosage forms. Later on, Guggulu was widely used in Vati form other than remaining internal forms. Generally, two methods of preparation are found for Guggulu Kalpana. They are Sagni (Paka method) and Niragni (Kuttana method) method. In addition, Adityapaka method and Bhavana was found for preparation. Ayurveda advocates that Guggulu must be administered only after purification i.e. Shodhana. The current trend of Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals mainly shows the use of Guggulu in the form of Gutika or Vati.