Botanical Name: Boswellia Serrata

Boswellia is an Ayurvedic plant that contains anti-inflammatory triterpenoids called boswellic acids. Boswellic acid and its derivatives have anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumor, and blood lipid lowering activities. Dried extracts of the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree have been used since antiquity in India to treat inflammatory conditions.  Boswellia reduces inflammation. It inhibits proinflammatory 5-lipoxygenase chemicals and blocks leukotriene synthesis. By doing so, boswellia may be helpful in medical conditions involved in inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory action of Boswellia

Boswellia acts as a spiritual symbol and an effective medicinal herb; it seems to function as both an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory. Reports and personal claims indicate that the Boswellia herb may be used in connection with joint mobility, pain, and stiffness, and may be a useful remedy for a variety of inflammatory diseases, including bursitis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Boswellic acids may contain an anti-inflammatory action - much like the conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for inflammatory conditions. Boswellia inhibits the body's pro-inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes. Long-term boswellia use does not appear to cause stomach ulceration or irritation.

Boswellia Osteoarthritis research:

An Ayurvedic herbal combination of ashwagandha, boswellia serrata , and curcumin was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study in patients with osteoarthritis. Treatment with this formulation produced a significant drop in severity of pain.   

Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial.
Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7.

Osteoarthritis is a common, chronic, progressive, skeletal, degenerative disorder, which commonly affects the knee joint. Boswellia serrata tree is commonly found in India. The therapeutic value of its gum has been known. It possesses good anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic activity. A randomized double blind placebo controlled crossover study was conducted to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in 30 patients of osteoarthritis of knee, 15 each receiving active drug or placebo for eight weeks. After the first intervention, washout was given and then the groups were crossed over to receive the opposite intervention for eight weeks. All patients receiving boswellia reported decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion and increased walking distance. The frequency of swelling in the knee joint was decreased. Radiologically there was no change. The observed differences between drug treated and placebo being statistically significant, are clinically relevant. Boswellia serrata extract was well tolerated by the subjects except for minor gastrointestinal symptoms. Boswellia serrata extract is recommended in the patients of osteoarthritis of the knee with possible therapeutic use in other arthritis.

Boswellia & Asthma

There is a scientific basis for boswellia working as an anti-asthmatic drug. And this evidence, combined with the available research in humans, suggests that when boswellia is used chronically, it may reduce the number of asthma attacks. It is not clear what dose is safe or effective or how boswellia may interact with other asthma treatments. Asthma attacks can be serious, and because there are other well-studied therapies for asthma, the choice of therapy should be discussed with a health care provider.

Research:

Anti-inflammatory properties of BHUx, a polyherbal formulation to prevent atherosclerosis., Tripathi YB, Reddy MM, Pandey RS, Subhashini J, Tiwari OP, Singh BK, Reddanna P. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India Feb 2004.
Patented antiinflammatory plant drug development from traditional medicine. Darshan S, Doreswamy R, May 2004.
Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canine inflammatory joint and spinal disease. Reichling J, Schmokel H, Fitzi J, Bucher S, Saller R. Institut fur Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie (IPMB), Abteilung Biologie, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany. Feb 2004.
Nutritional and botanical modulation of the inflammatory cascade--eicosanoids, cyclooxygenases, and lipoxygenases--as an adjunct in cancer therapy. Wallace JM. Nutritional Solutions, Inc. North Logan, UT, Mar 2002.
Immunomodulatory triterpenoids from the oleogum resin of Boswellia carterii Birdwood. Badria FA, Mikhaeil BR, Maatooq GT, Amer MM.
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University,Mansoura, Egypt, Jul-Aug 2003.
Chemistry and immunomodulatory activity of frankincense oil. Mikhaeil BR, Maatooq GT, Badria FA, Amer MM.Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt, Mar-Apr 2003.

Article Links:

Boswellia, Good for Your Joints: Chris Kilham, www.medicinehunter.com