Guggul
Guggul suppliers and sourcing guide
Guggul is the oleogum resin of Commiphora wightii (also named Commiphora mukul), a small, thorny tree of arid western India and Pakistan. Resin is tapped from the bark, dried and purified, then sold as purified resin powder or as an ethyl acetate or ethanol extract (guggulipid) standardized to guggulsterones E and Z by HPLC. The tree is slow-growing and over-tapped, so supply and origin documentation matter.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Commiphora wightii · Commiphora mukul · gum guggul · Indian bdellium
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of guggul
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Purified resin powder
Traditionally processed gum resin, dried and powdered, sold without standardization or with a low guggulsterone content.
Guggulsterone-standardized extract
Solvent extract of the resin sold with a declared percentage of guggulsterones E and Z, commonly 2.5% to 10%, by HPLC.
Guggulipid
Ethyl acetate extract of the resin, a defined extract type used in some specifications.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity (HPTLC)
- Fingerprint against Commiphora wightii resin reference to confirm the species, since other Commiphora resins are traded alongside.
- Guggulsterone assay (HPLC)
- Guggulsterones E and Z by a named HPLC method.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella. Raw powders carry more microbial load than extracts and are often steam treated.
- Residual solvents
- For extracts made with ethanol or other solvents, residual solvents against USP <467> or the buyer's specification.
- Physical tests
- Loss on drying, particle size, acid-insoluble ash for resin powder, and any carrier.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep resin and extract sealed in lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light; resin extracts soften and clump when warm. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with the guggulsterone assay repeated at retest.
Lots and expiry dates
Guggulsterone levels vary with resin grade and extraction, so record the assay method and result and the extraction solvent for each lot. Ask for origin and harvest documentation, since wild supply is limited.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists Commiphora wightii, with common names guggul, gugul and Indian bdellium-tree, as an approved herbal name.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The same database lists guggulsterone as an isolate with Commiphora wightii gum oleoresin, fruit resin and whole plant as source materials.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Guggul suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking guggul suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell guggul? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of guggul can brands buy?
Common forms include purified resin powder, guggulsterone-standardized extract and guggulipid. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for guggul include?
Expect identity (HPTLC), guggulsterone assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology, residual solvents and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should guggul be stored?
Keep resin and extract sealed in lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light; resin extracts soften and clump when warm. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with the guggulsterone assay repeated at retest.
What is the regulatory status of guggul?
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists Commiphora wightii, with common names guggul, gugul and Indian bdellium-tree, as an approved herbal name. The same database lists guggulsterone as an isolate with Commiphora wightii gum oleoresin, fruit resin and whole plant as source materials.
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