Boswellia Resin

Boswellia Serrata

Boswellia Serrata is a tree found in India, North Africa, and the Middle East. Strips of bark are peeled away, yielding a gummy oleo-resin that contains oils, terpenoids, and gum. The gum resin from Boswellia has been used extensively in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of conditions. Among these conditions are: chronic ulcers, pain, inflammation, diseased bones, rheumatic and nervous diseases, urinary tract disorders, skin diseases, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhoea, sore nipples, ringworm, jaundice, diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia and haemorrhoids.

ANTI-ARTHRITIC - In studies, compared with a placebo, treatment with Boswellia resin resulted in a significant reduction in pain, time duration of morning stiffness and 'joint and disability score' among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Other research has shown treatment with an extract of the gum resin of Boswellia, reduced joint swelling, pain, stiffness and the need to use NSAIDs in 260 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Similar beneficial results have been found in osteoarthritic cases.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - The anti-inflammatory activity of boswellic acids has been studied quite extensively. The scientific literature proposes three possible mechanisms for this anti-inflammatory activity: 1) selective inhibition of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, thereby reducing the production of leukotrienes: 2) inhibition of C3 convertase, a serine protease that releases anaphylactic peptides, and 3) inhibition of leukocyte migration to the site of inflammation. Boswellic acids have also demonstrated the ability to suppress the proliferation of new tissue and prevent the degradation of connective tissue that occurs in the inflammatory process. In addition, these anti-inflammatory activities do not seem to be associated with the generalized immune suppression so often seen with long-term use of steroid drugs. Boswellic acids function as potent anti-inflammatory agents in rheumatic conditions, being especially effective in shrinking inflamed tissues. Boswellic acids improve blood supply to the joints and restore the integrity of blood vessels obliterated by spasm. They may also open up collateral blood circulation to provide adequate blood supply to the joints.
ANTI-ULCER - Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon, in which leukotrienes appear to play a role in maintaining the inflammation. In a study conducted by Gupta and colleagues, patients suffering from ulcerative colitis were given B. serrata gum resin 350mg three times daily to six weeks. Patients receiving sulfasalazine (1g three times daily) served as controls. Improvement in all measured parameters was observed in response to treatment with B. serrata gum resin and sulfasalazine. Eighty-two percent of patients treated with B. serrata went into remission compared to 75% with sulfasalazine. The results of this study indicate that B. serrata gum resin may be equally as successful in treatment of ulcerative colitis as standard therapy.
CHOLESTEROL LOWERING - An alcoholic extract of B. serrata gum resin in doses of 25-50mg/kg of body weight resulted in a 30-50% decrease in cholesterol levels and a 20-60% decrease in triglyceride levels. In a second study, the same alcoholic extract in a dose of 100mg/kg of body weight, for six days, experienced a statistically significant decline in cholesterol.

Dosage

200-400mg one to three times daily. Best taken with food.

Potential applications

Osteo/rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, bursitis, elevated blood lipids, atherosclerosis, inflammation, pain relief, bronchitis, sports injuries.

Known contraindications

Not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation. No known toxicity.

Interactions

Rare side effects can include diarrhoea, skin rash, and nausea. Any inflammatory joint condition should be monitored by a physician. No known drug interactions.

Use in conjunction with

Arthritis - glucosamine, Flax seed oil, antioxidants, grape seed/pycnogenol, trace minerals, quercetin, B5, green food blend, milk thistle
Elevated cholesterol - chromium, grape seed extract, flax seed oil, antioxidants, milk thistle, green food blend, fibre complex
Colitis/Crohn's - acidophilus, licorice, milk thistle, Oregon grape, multivitamins, antioxidants, zinc, digestive enzymes, hemp seed oil

REFERENCES

Safayhi H, Sailer ER, Amnon HPT. 5-lipoxygenase inhibition by acetyl-11-keto-b-boswellic acid. Phytomed 1996;3:71-2.
Safayhi H, Mack T, Saieraj J, et al. Boswellic acids: Novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1992;261:1143-6.
Singh GB, Atal CK. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggal ex-Boswellia serrata, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Agents Actions 1986;18:407-12.
Gupta I, Parihar A, Malhotra P, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res 1997;2:37-43.
Etzel R. Special extract of Boswellia serrata (H15) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Phytomed 1996;3:91-4.

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