Ayurvedic science updates

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2005 by Virender Sodhi

The guggul extract has shown significant anti-inflammatory actions in experimental models of inflammation. In rat paw edema and induced-adjuvant arthritis, guggul extract showed anti-inflammatory activity equal to phenylbutazone and ibuprofen and one-fifth as compared to hydrocortisone. In chronic inflammation model, it proved to be more effective than hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone and ibuprofen in reducing the severity of secondary lesions. This action is thought to be due to immune modulation and inhibition of delayed hypersensitivity reactions. In autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks its own tissue and makes lots of immune complexes which accumulate around the joint, causing inflammation and choking the blood supply to the joint and eventually leading to degeneration of joint. Guggul extract stops the formation of these immune complexes and stops the hypersensitivity reactions, thereby reducing the inflammation.

In a recent study done in Southern California, 30 male and female participants with osteoarthritis were treated with 500mg of guggul extract three times per day with food. Patients showed significant improvement in the 1-2 month follow ups and overall improvement in mood and pain were noticed as well. No side effects were observed during the trial.

I have personally treated several hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and fibromyalgia with great success by using nutritional modification, exercise, yoga, meditation, the Panch karma program, along with herbs such as Guggullip[TM], Boswelya plus[TM] and Trifal[TM]. I have been able to take people off Methotrexate, Enbrel and Prednisone between three to 16 months. Even though the patients show tremendous improvement, they are still advised to stick to their nutritional programs and routines for a lifetime of great health.

Doses: Guggul extract 300-500 mg three times per day with food.

I usually combine Guggul with other anti-inflammatory herbs like Ashwgandha, Turmeric, Boswellia serrata and Ginger.

Side Effects: Some literature has mentioned skin rash with guggul preparations. I have used Guggul-lip[TM] for the last 24 years without a single patient reporting skin rash. I believe it is due to a special carbohydrate in raw guggul and when it is not separated carefully it can cause skin rash. Special patented extraction method helps remove this harmful chemical from raw guggul. Other side effects reported were nausea, headache, eructation and hiccups. I have not seen these reactions in my patients either. Guggul may reduce the bioavailability of the drugs propranolol (Inderal) and diltiazem (Cardizem). This herb has a thyroid stimulating effect and may increase the effects of your thyroid medication. Guggul also inhibits platelet aggregation, which means that people on blood thinners may have to adjust the doses.

For more information about Dr. Virender Sodhi and the Ayurvedic Clinic, please visit www.ayurvedicscience.com. For the herbs listed above, please visit www.ayush.com