| The boswellia family of trees are specifically known | | | | serious side-effects. |
| for their fragrant, gummy sap, which possesses | | | | Boswellia has a long tradition of safe and effective |
| many medicinal uses. Among these, especially, if the | | | | use as a mild anti-inflammatory to alleviate pain and |
| use as an anti-inflammatory. It is believed that the | | | | stiffness. It is also used to enhance mobility without |
| frankincense of the bible was actually an extract | | | | serious side effects. However, further research is |
| from the resin of the Boswellia tree. Boswellia, which | | | | needed to confirm the long-term safety and |
| is also known as boswellin, has a long history of use | | | | effectiveness of this extract. Boswellia seems to be |
| in Ayurvedic healing. The resin is called salai guggal | | | | best taken as needed in order to reduce pain and |
| and has been used to treat asthma, arthritis, various | | | | stiffness, as opposed to being taken regularly as a |
| inflammatory conditions, and to relieve joint pain and | | | | maintenance herb. |
| pain that results from sports injuries. The resin of the | | | | The resin of boswellia is used in many herbal formulas |
| boswellia tree is also though to be helpful for treating | | | | because of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory |
| back pain as well as some other chronic intestinal | | | | properties. Primarily, this extract is most useful in |
| disorders. | | | | dealing with arthritis, asthma, inflammatory conditions, |
| The boswellia plant is a genus of trees that are | | | | joint pain, and sports injuries. |
| known mainly for their fragrant resin. This resin has | | | | A boswellia standardized extract is recommended by |
| many pharmacological uses, particularly as | | | | many doctors. When dealing with rheumatoid arthritis |
| anti-inflammatories. There are four main species of | | | | or osteoarthritis, 150 mg of boswellic acids are taken |
| boswellia, producing true frankincense. Each type of | | | | three times per day. For example, if an extract |
| resin is available in various grades. These grades | | | | contains 37.5% boswellic acids, 400 mg of the |
| depend upon the time of harvesting. The resin of the | | | | extract would be taken three times daily. Treatment |
| boswellia plant is hand sorted for quality. Anyone who | | | | with boswellia should generally last between eight and |
| is interested in frankincense is advised to obtain a | | | | twelve weeks. Generally, boswellia is safe when used |
| small sample from each reputable dealer to determine | | | | as directed. Rare side effects include diarrhea, skin |
| the difference between each resin. | | | | rash, and nausea. Any inflammatory joint condition |
| Boswellic acids are the main compounds that are | | | | should be closely monitored by a health care |
| believed to be at the source of boswellia's | | | | professional. To date, there are no well-known drug |
| anti-inflammatory properties. These acids have the | | | | interactions with boswellia. |
| ability to inhibit the enzymes that induce pain and | | | | Boswellia comes in capsule form at your local or |
| inflammation in the body. | | | | internet health food store. When making a purchase |
| A few studies have been conducted on boswellia's | | | | always read the label to ensure that the product is |
| effect on sports injuries and arthritis. Among these, | | | | standardized to its active acids to ensure quality and |
| some have shown that boswellic acids may contain | | | | purity and to ensure that the herb when taken |
| anti-inflammatory benefits that are extremely | | | | regularly will function as intended. |
| powerful. These benefits are similar to those found in | | | | *Statements contained herein have not been |
| ibuprofen and aspirin. One study done on rheumatoid | | | | evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. |
| arthritis patients found that pain and swelling were | | | | Boswellia is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure |
| reduced after three months of treatment with | | | | or prevent disease. Always consult with your |
| boswellia. Those who used boswellia occasionally | | | | professional health care provider before changing any |
| reported mild gastrointestinal distress, like heartburn | | | | medication or adding Vitamins to medications. |
| and nausea, but there were no other reports of | | | | |