The crude oleo gum resin called guggulu is used as an incense. Suddha guggulu is a processed form of the resin used in traditional ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of epilepsy, ulcers, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis since 600 BC. The gum resin is a thermogenic given in vitiated conditions of vata. It is used as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter stomachic, carminative, appetizer, and improves digestion. It is used as a lotion for indolent ulcers and as a gargle in tonsillitits, pharyngitis, and ulcerated throat. Guggulu is an ingredient of several ayurvedic formulations both as medicine and as an excipient. Traditionally guggulu is given as a “yog” meaning drug admixture.

It is thus used in combination with several other ayurvedic drugs such as shonti, punarnava, triphala, kaisara, sadanga, amrita, kanchanara, and so on. Its combination with Inula racemosa called “pushkara guggulu” is indicated in Ayurveda for chest pain and angina.

In folklore practice, twigs of the guggal tree are as used as tooth brush. Tincture of Commiphora mukul is used in homeopathy.

The drug is an ancient remedy given for a range of ailments such as dysmenorhoea, dyspepsia, endometriosis, hypertension, impotence, bronchitis, caries, gingivitis, leprosy, leucoderma, haemorrhoids, urinary calculi, and as a uterotonic.

The resin is also used in varnishes and adhesives, as an important source of raw materials for organic synthesis, or for incense and perfume.