Guggul or Mukul myrrh tree) is a flowering plant. From this tree exudes a resinous sap from incisions that are made in its bark. The Guggul plant may be found from northern Africa to central Asia, but is most common in northern India. Gugar is an oleo-gum-resin. When fresh it is moist, vicid, fragrant and yellow in colour. IT burns in fire, melts in the sun and forms a milky emulsion with water. Gum contains volatile oil 7 to 17 %, resin 25 to 40 %, gum 57 to 61 % and 3 to 4 % impurities. Volatile oil contains cuminic aldehyde, eugenol, metacresol, pinene, limonene, dipentene and two sesquiterpenes. Resin contains three free resin acids 0, 13 and y commiphoric acids, esters of another resin acid and two phenolic resins. Guggal is used in perfumery and in Pharmaceutical. It has a bitter taste. It is commonly used in incense and perfumes. Guggul can be purchased in a loosely packed form called Dhoop, an incense from India, which is then burned over hot coals. This produces a fragrant dense smoke. The burning coals which produces the smoke is carried around in different rooms and held in all the corners of the room for a few seconds. This is said to drive away evil spirits as well as remove the evil eye from the home and its family members.
