Commiphora wightii is a flowering plant belonging to the family Burseraceae, which produces a fragrant resinous sap called gum guggul. The guggul plant is found from northern Africa to central Asia but is most common in northern India. It is a  shrub that grows to a  maximum height of   3m,   with thin papery bark. The extract of gum guggul, called gugulipid or guggul,   has been used widely in Ayurveda. The gum is pale yellow to the brown aromatic resin obtained from the bark of the plant. It is transparent, with a waxy surface and brittle in nature. 
The active constituents in gum guggul are responsible for several pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial  action. Guggulu is beneficial in cleansing  and  healing wounds and reducing oedema owing to its anti-inflammatory and   antiseptic  properties.
Ayurvedic description:
Rasa (taste): Tikta, Katu (Bitter & pungent)
Virya(nature): Ushna (hot in potency)
Guna (qualities): Laghu, Ruksha, (Light, dry)
Vipak (taste developed through digestion): Katu (pungent)
Doshas (effect on humors): balances all three doshas