What are the Most Common Guggul Side Effects?

Guggul is a homeopathic remedy that is often used to treat some forms of acne. Guggul side effects include nausea, headaches, diarrhea, and hiccups. In some cases, it can cause an allergic reaction, especially when it is taken in higher quantities. Although it is considered safe for many people, guggul side effects may make it unsafe for women who are pregnant or nursing, for people with certain forms of cancer, and for individuals taking medication for thyroid problems. In addition, it should not be used prior to surgery because one of the guggul side effects is increased bleeding.

Made from the gum resin of the Indian Commiphora mukul tree, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine have used guggul for hundreds of years. Originally, it was used to treat atherosclerosis. Now, homeopathic medicine practitioners commonly recommend it to treat acne, arthritis, high cholesterol, and to promote weight loss. Interestingly, it has been proven to be effective in research studies to treat acne, giving weight to the homeopathic approach to medicine. In fact, it is believed to work as well as tetracycline, the antibiotic commonly used to treat many kinds of acne.

A few research trials have studied whether long-term usage creates any guggul side effects. The results have shown that it is safe to use for 24 weeks. In addition, more recent research seems to indicate that it may be safe for 75 weeks of use.

Most guggul side effects occur when a person consumes high doses of the remedy. Specifically, a person may experience an upset stomach, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially if she consumes 6,000 mg of the remedy each day. There have been some reports of night blindness, dry mouth, extreme weight loss, and weakness as well. Skin rashes are not uncommon, particularly if the dosage is extremely high.

Generally, the guggul side effects during pregnancy make it an unsafe remedy choice for most pregnant women, as well as those who are breastfeeding. For example, guggul may cause the uterus to be stimulated and may promote menstrual flow. Since research has not been conducted on how these events may affect a pregnancy or a newborn infant, it may be best to avoid the remedy.

Individuals with certain types of hormone disorders or cancers should also avoid using guggul. Guggul is believed to mimic estrogen. As a result, women with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and uterine fibroids should not use the remedy unless they consult a medical provider. In addition, individuals with thyroid disorders should not use guggul if they're already on medication to treat them, since guggul might interfere with the medication.

If a surgical procedure is scheduled, the individual should not use guggul for several weeks prior to surgery. One of the guggul side effects is that it increases the chances of bleeding both during and after the procedure. A medical provider should be consulted before resuming the use of guggul after surgery.