I take statins and an Indian friend swears that a herb called guggul can control cholesterol just as well. What do you think?

As early as 600 B.C., doctors in India described a disease caused by overeating fatty foods which resulted in "the coating and obstruction of channels". They called it medoroga and treated it successfully with guggul; today, we call it atherosclerosis.

Guggul comes from the gummy resin of the mukul myrrh tree, native to India. It has been part of Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, for thousands of years. The active ingredients in guggul, known as guggulsterones, appear to affect the metabolism of fat and cholesterol. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies suggest that guggulsterones stimulate the liver to break down potentially harmful LDL ('bad') cholesterol and elevate the levels of protective HDL ('good' cholesterol). In one study comparing the efficacy of guggul with that of clofibrate (a prescription cholesterol-lowering medication), total cholesterol dropped by 11 per cent in the guggul group and by 10 per cent in the clofibrate group.

There is also some evidence that guggul stimulates the production of thyroid hormones, therefore increasing the rate at which the body burns kilojoules. In one Indian study of overweight patients, researchers noted that guggul resulted in some weight loss, especially in abdominal fat. In addition, studies indicate that the anti-inflammatory action of guggul may be helpful in treating arthritis. If you are presently taking statins, I would suggest you consult a qualified herbalist or Ayurvedic medicine practitioner (visit www.atms.com.au to find a practitioner near you) and discuss their recommendations with your doctor; do not stop taking statins abruptly without professional advice. Guggul should be used with caution by anyone with liver problems or inflammatory bowel disease. In some cases, side effects of nausea, wind or hiccups have been noted.

YOUR SAY: Have your tried the Ayurvedic herb Guggul? Tell us your experiences below...