Guest guest Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 TCM considers phlegm and dampness to be the most difficult pathogen to resolve and indeed it is. It is a condition of stagnation associated with body stiffness, rheumatic conditions and even impaired mental function i.e. it is very much associated with the process of aging. In all of this it is comparable to the Ayurvedic concept of " ama " which is a term to denote toxicity and described as a sticky substance that is the underlying cause of disease. In ayurvedic medicine, pungent and spicy herbs are used to dissolve ama as well as preparations of Guggul (myrrh). TCM describes Myrrha (Mo Yao) as an herb that invigorates blood and dispels blood stasis, reduces swelling and alleviates pain. Because its active is a resin, it is not extracted very well in water and under prolonged heat it volatalizes. Furthermore, Western herbalism believes that the chronic intake of resins are difficult for the small tubules of the kidneys to process. Ayurveda has a superior method of extracting the useful aspects of myrrh and discarding the indigestable parts. It is cooked in a porous bag usually in a tea of Triphala (another important Ayurvedic preparation that should be better appreciated by Chinese practitioners because it detoxifies without causing any deficiencies). This form of triphala is called yoga raj guggul and is the most commonly used for all purpose. Most people think of guggul primarily as being anticholesterol and raising thyroid. This is medical. however traditional indications are general body stiffness. For the acupuncturists and TCM practitioner consider it a safe practically food grade substance that moves blood, relieves wind dampness. In a similar manner Ayurveda also used frankincense (aka gummi olibanum 'ru xiang') both are very effective for relieving pain by removing blood, qi and damp stagnation. Guggul is the primary botanical used to treat " ama. " Kaishore guggul is specific for treating cancer. How important is it in TCM to 'open the channels? " -- thus guggul and thus its use for the aged. The problem is that guggul does powerfully relieve body stiffness, promote blood circulation (without thinning the blood) and relieve stiff, achy feelings. The problem with such things is that when people have these symptoms they are so subjective on a day to day basis that they often don't recognize the powerful difference that guggul as a supplement for such conditions makes. Following is from a paper I wrote for a seminar on the treatment of Phlegm disorders: Guggul (commihora wightii/commiphora mukul English name: Indian Bedellium Sanskrit: Guggulu It has been used in Hindu Ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years and is regarded as the most important herb for detoxifying Ama. A general indication for the use of Guggul is pain and body stiffness which probably indicates what are known as “rheumy complaints in Appalachian folk medicine. Guggul is also known to lower blood cholesterol by 14-27% and triglycerides by 22-30%. It has none of the adverse effects of prescription drugs and also has the virtue of increasing HDL (the good cholesterol) while lowering LDL (bad cholesterol). This is seen after using it for a period of 4 to 12 weeks. Guggul also reduces pain, relaxes the muscles, relieves menstrual pain, detoxifies the blood and breaks up stagnation in the body. It has a wide and diverse array of uses including: * Weight management * Lowering cholesterol * Improving circulation * Relieving arthritic pain * Treating boils * Treating eczema * Menstrual pain * Dermatitis * Psoriasis * Skin rashes. Classically in Ayurveda guggul is often taken with other herbs especially triphala which when combined is called Yoga Raj Guggul. Kaishore Guggul is indicated for heat toxins, then there is Trayadashanga Guggul, Kanchanara Guggul, Mahayogaraj guggul etc. Used in this way Guggul is used to purge Ama from the body. Yogaraj Guggul is the most commonly used and relieves vata (pain and stiffness) in the joints. Kaishore Guggul is specifically used for inflammatory or pitta conditions associated with any chronic disease. It is used for cancer as well as many other conditions. Kanchana Guggul is specifically indicated for skin diseases and to increase white blood cells. Guggul works by decreasing platelet stickiness and thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is a specific herb for relieving all conditions associated with aging. No one knows how Guggul specifically works but it may bind to cholesterol in the gut to eliminate it before it enters the blood stream. It has been extensively studied for over 30 years. One 1994 study published in Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy found that it reduced serum cholesterol about 18%, LDL cholesterol by 13% and triglycerides 12%. Generally Guggul needs to be taken 3-4 weeks before the full benefits can be felt but individual results may vary. Guggul is also one of the few botanicals know to raise thyroid levels which is another factor to consider in its cholesterol lowering properties. Guggul is purified by cooking it either in cow’s milk or triphala. This removes the resins which in myrrh are known to be harmful to the kidneys when used long term. In order for Guggul to show its maximum cholesterol lowering effect, it should be taken with a health balanced diet, low in processed fats and carbohydrates. . Michael Tierra HYPERLINK " http://www.planetherbs.com " www.planetherbs.com office (831) 429-8066 _____ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Michael, Thanks for the piece on guggul. Is this procedure also used for frankincense and myrrh? If you were making the yoga raj guggul, how much guggul would you put in the triphala tea, and how long would you decoct it? And am I correct in assuming that the guggul itself is then discarded? And when would you use milk instead of triphala? Karen S. Vaughan, L.Ac., MSTOM Licensed Acupuncturist, and Herbalist Creationsgarden1 253 Garfield Place Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 622-6755 ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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