Used to treat arthritis and reduce inflammation of the joints.

Used as Carminative as it prevents formation of

gas in gastrointestinal tract and suppresses muscles spasms.

It is an effective anti suppurative; its helps preventing the formation of pus.

It is also effective for hemorrhoids and urinary tracts infections. It is also known as remedy for acne as well as
weight-loss stimulant.
National Coordination Unit
Sustainable Land Management Project
H. 7, St. 62, G-6/4, Islamabad
Tel:051-2602467-8, Fax: 051-2602469
www.slmp.org.pk

Provincial Coordination Unit

Punjab Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Room 406, 3rd Floor, P & D Department,
Planning & Development Department, Civil Secretariat, Peshawar.
Conservation Measures: Civil Secretariat, Lahore. Tel: 091-99213012
Tel: 042-99214210
Guggal has become an endangered plant and needs to be conserved through following measures.
Sindh Balochistan
Determining current status of Guggal and its ecological values for dryland ecosystems. Block 92, Sindh Secretariat, Planning & Development Department,
No. 4/B, Opposite Sindh Assembly Building Government Of Balochistan
Promoting sustainable use of this economic plant based on scientific management and sustainable use plans. Karachi. Boy Dcouts, Opposite PTV Station,Quetta.

Guggal
Tel: 0321-3774073 Tel: 081-9202081
Promoting the guggal propagation through stem cuttings. Stem cuttings are inexpensive and easier to
practice than other vegetative propagation methods, such as tissue culture. In addition, stem cuttings can
continuously supply planting stocks throughout the year for reforestation activities.

Establishment of small guggal reserves for rehabilitation of its depleted population.

Community-based-conservation-programs should be launched to conserve the valuable plant species.

Propagation of Guggal on the borders of cultivated fields should be encouraged as it does not reduce yield of
the agricultural crops, rather, the spiny branches of the plant offer protection against grazing and could serve
Commiphora wightii
as live fence.
 Guggal (Commiphora wightii)
Guggal is an important medicinal plant belonging to
the family Burseraceae. It is a slow growing shrub or
small tree with thin papery bark. A mature guggal
plant takes 8 to 10 years to reach to a height of 4
meters. Its branches are thorny and bear leaves
which are irregularly toothed. Flowers are red to
pink in colour, with four small petals. The plant is
dimorphic, one having bisexual and male flowers
and the other having female flowers with
staminodes. A third category of guggal plant which
bears only male flowers has also been reported. The
size of green berry like drupe fruits varies from 6 to 8
mm in diameter. These remain on the plant for
several months. Fruit parts exposed to sun develop
pinkish tinge. Guggal seeds show poly embryonic
nature.
Habitat:
Guggal prefers arid and semi-arid climate and grows
in poor soils. Guggal is a very hardy plant and grows
in extreme dry and hot conditions. It is well suited to
sandy desert and hilly areas and has capability to
survive under xerophytic conditions. To survive in
low moisture conditions, it sheds its leaves after rainy
season and looks like a dry plant for remaining period
of the year.
Distribution:
Guggal plant is found in arid areas of Indian sub-
continent, particularly in hot and dry areas. In
Pakistan, it is found in hilly areas of Jamshoro and
Thar desert of Sindh mainly on Karunjhar Hills in
Tharparkar district, Kirthar mountain range in
District Dadu, Cholistan, Thal and Kharian areas of
Punjab. It has been reported to be found in Khuzdar
and Awaran district of Balochistan.
Threats to Guggal: of ailments, including obesity and disorders of lipid
metabolism. A healthy tree having an age of five years
yields about 250-500 grams of resin in one season. The
Guggal Plant has become an endangered species because of its slow growing nature, total production of Guggal in Pakistan was approximately
poor seed setting, lack of cultivation, poor seed germination rate, desertification, 25-50 tons annually in 1998.
drought, over grazing, destruction of habitat and excessive and unscientific tapping
for its gum resin for pharmaceutical purpose. Use of chemical for extracting guggal
gum has also been reported from district Tharparkar, which is now being considered Common Uses:
a major threat to this plant, as plant usually dies during six months after the use of
chemicals. The germination rate of seed is about 40% that discourages the natural as Guggal has become an important plant species of dryland
well as artificial propagation of plant. Besides that the long gestation period of 5-6 ecosystem in Pakistan being ruthlessly harvested because
years to maturity for resin extraction discourages cultivation of the plant for of the gum that is extracted from the plant's bark through
commercial purposes. The local communities give several deep incisions on the stem resin tapping cuts (bark injury).
to get maximum amount of the Guggal gum and also apply a paste of oleo-gum resin
and copper sulphate. The application of this paste around incision increases the The resin of the guggal plant is commonly used in
amount of guggal gum three to four times, but the plant ultimately dies due to incense and perfumes at religious occasions.
The propagation of plant in the rocky hills and deserts facilitates in maintaining the ecological balance
through soil conservation and accelerates the plant succession process. Its well established deep root
system binds the sand, grows in rock fishers and protects it from erosion.
The leaves of the plants are edible and grazed by livestock.
The seeds and fruits of the plant are used as food by the local villagers.
Medicinal Uses:
Guggal produces a resinous sap known as Guggal gum. The extract of this gum, called Gugulipid, Guggalipid or
Guglipid, has been used in traditional medicine, for nearly 3,000 years. The active ingredient in the extract is the
steroid Guggal sterone that is useful for medicinal purposes. Some of the medicinal uses are as follows:
injurious effect of copper sulphate. Under drought conditions its young plants are killed by termite attack. Another Helps to reduce high cholesterol level and triglycerides.
looming threat to guggal is spreading of Mesquit (prosopis juliflora), exotic species, in its natural habitat in
tharparker district of Sindh. Guggal has also been listed in IUCN's Red Data list under the Data Deficient category. Prevents heart diseases and stroke.
Economic Benefits Guggal lipid contributes to build-up the immune system
The oleo-gum resin commonly known as “Guggal gum” is of great economic and commercial value. The medicinal Helps eliminate and expel dead tissues, wastes, and toxins from the body.
and therapeutic properties of guggal are referred in ancient Hindu scriptures (3000 year ago). A well-known
Ayurvedic medical text, describes the usefulness of the gum resin from the Guggal tree in the treatment of a number Guggal lipid relieves coughing and lung congestion, soothe mucous membranes and alleviate other
respiratory problems.