The guggul plant is widely distributed throughout India and adjacent dry regions. The tree is a small shrub with thorny branches. The gum, called “guggul” or “gum guggulu,” is tapped from the stem of the plant, and the fragrant yellow latex solidifies as it oozes out.Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses The plant has been used in traditional Ancient medicine for centuries in the treatment of a variety of disorders, most notably arthritis, and as a weight-reducing agent in obesity. Other traditional uses have included treatment of liver problems, tumors, ulcers and sores, urinary complaints, intestinal worms, swelling, and seizures, and as a heart tonic. In 1986, guggal was approved for marketing in India as a cholesterol-lowering agent. A commercial product, Guggul, claiming cholesterol-lowering properties, is widely available on the Internet.