Boswellia Serrata

What is Boswellia serrata?

Boswellia serrata is a gum resin that is taken from a tree. It is sometimes burned as an aromatic (the whole species of Boswellia is called "Frankincense") or taken in other ways as medicine. Most of its medical uses are in Ayurvedic medicine, but it is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and in the Middle East and other tropical areas. Through its active boswellic acids, Boswellia serrata seems to be a new inhibitor of an enzyme called 5-lipoxygenase that causes inflammation. It may also have other anti-inflammatory effects (such as nF-kB inhibition, which is not as novel). According to research on the advantages of these anti-inflammatory effects on osteoarthritis (OA), oral Boswellia supplements can significantly lessen OA-related pain and mobility issues, with results appearing in as little as a week. The studies are well-done, but the businesses that produce the supplements under test are paying for them. There aren't many non-funded interventions with Boswellic to back up this claim, but the size of their effects seems to match those of the funded studies.

Boswellia seems to fight cancer in a way that is more anti-proliferative than apoptotic, where apoptotic means to cause controlled cell death. This is because it is a powerful inhibitor of angiogenesis and cell invasion. There aren't a lot of studies on these claims, but early evidence from mouse and rat studies in which tumors were injected into the rodents suggests that Boswellia can strongly slow the growth of pancreatic and colorectal tumors and, in some cases, even stop them from growing (prostatic, glioma). Boswellia seems to be a very promising herb for fighting cancer based on how well it works on animals. One study showed this after giving 100 mg/kg of the main boswellic acid to animals by mouth. In vitro, its effectiveness has been shown in other cancer cell lines, such as breast, cervical, myeloma, and leukemia, but there are no animal treatments for these cancers yet. Boswellia seems to be pretty safe, has a history of being used as a phytopharmaceutical for brain edema caused by radiotherapy (a cancer treatment), and has general anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects that make it a more interesting herb than others with less evidence.

How do I use Boswellia serrata?

The Arthritis Foundation suggests administering boswellic acids to the body three times daily at a dosage of 300–400 milligrams (mg) of boswellia. It is advisable to seek out capsules that comprise 60% boswellic acid, given that it serves as the active constituent.

Boswellia serrata benefits:

Some of the best things about Boswellia serrata are that it can help relieve arthritis symptoms, lower inflammation, prevent autoimmune diseases, slow the progression of cancer, speed wound healing, strengthen muscles, stop headaches, and support skin health.

◉ Rheumatoid Arthritis: Boswellia may help reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. When rats with rheumatoid arthritis were given Boswellia serrata extract for 15 days, the inflammation went down by a lot. To learn more about the link between boswellia and rheumatoid arthritis, more clinical studies need to be done.

◉ May Help Alleviate Asthma: Since boswellia may help lower leukotrienes, it may help relax the muscles in the bronchi and stop them from contracting so much. So, this can help open up the airways and make it easier for patients to breathe. In one study, people with bronchial asthma who took boswellia had fewer symptoms and signs. This suggests that boswellia may be a good supplement for treating bronchial asthma.

◉ Wound Healing: Boswellia has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to heal both internal and external wounds. Topical applications can increase blood flow to the wound and help it heal faster. They can also keep the wound from getting infected. When Boswellia serrata is taken in pills or drinks, it can help people get better faster from long-term injuries or illnesses.

◉ Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: People with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like colitis may also benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of boswellia. Rat studies show that boswellic acid may help ease the symptoms of IBD without causing any harm. Another study suggests that Boswellia Serrata extract may help people with collagenous colitis.'

Where can I buy Boswellia serrata?

Buy Boswellia serrata from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals. 

Boswellia Serrata information (at a glance):