Boswellia:

Who's Ever Heard of Boswellia?

Boswellia, a.k.a. Indian frankincense, is made from the boswellia serrata tree. This tree grows wild in the hillocks of the Indian subcontinent. Indian healers have long known about the strong anti-inflammatory nature of the gummy resin held within the bark of the tree.

Modern uses of boswellia
In the contemporary world, many preparations are made from a purified extract of this resin, and they are then packaged in the form of a pill or cream. The cream is used to reduce inflammation that often comes with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike the many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, boswellia is not known to cause stomach irritation. In addition, boswellia is thought to be effective against both back pain and some chronic intestinal disorders.

Scientific research has identified several of "active" ingredients of boswellia which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects. These active ingredients are often referred to in alternative medicine as boswellic acids. In studies on animals, these agents have appeared to reduce inflammation by deterring the inflammation of white cells and improving the blood flow to the joints. In addition, these boswellic acids have been shown to prevent the chemical reactions that can be precursors to inflammation.

Health benefits of boswellia
Boswellia is thought to be effective against both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. In addition, boswellia has been shown to decrease severity of back pain, particularly when used orally. Boswellia in a cream form can also be quite soothing to low back pain and stiffness.

Additionally, boswellia is thought to reduce inflammation associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Also boswellia appears to provide this vital relief without the negative side effects often seen with traditional pain relievers. Unlike many other common pain relievers, boswellia has not been shown to cause an upset stomach or other digestive problems.

Boswellia is offered in a wide variety of preparations, including tablets, capsules, and topical creams. The topical preparation of boswellia can be particularly effective against back pain and arthritis.

Back pain and boswellia
Back pain can also be soothed by oral preparations of boswellia, with the most effective dose being 150 mg three times daily. If cream is used, a pea sized amount of boswellia should be rubbed into the area afflicted by the pain and repeated every four to six hours as needed.

Be in contact with your health care practioner or nutritionist when using boswellia. While boswellia does not usually cause side effects, there have been reports of people experiencing nausea, diarrhea and skin rashes. Those who undergo such side effects should immediately discontinue their use of boswellia.

When shopping for boswellia, it's a good idea to look for products which have been standardized to include a 60% concentration of boswellic acids. It's also important to buy products from reputable manufacturers who use the highest quality manufacturing processes.

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