If you have difficulty in walking, running, getting up, bending down, if your joints hurt and interrupt your ability to move freely, then read on.

Boswellin Extract :
Other Names Boswellia sacra, Boswellia serrata, Boswellia Guggal

Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense) has been used for centuries in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine to maintain healthy joints. This is still one of its main uses.

Boswellia is a moderate to large branching tree found in the dry, hilly areas of India. When the tree trunk is tapped, a gummy oleoresin is exuded. The purified extract of this resin is known as Boswellia serrata or boswellin.

One of the active constituents in boswellin is Boswellic Acid, a pyrazoline derivative which has been shown to exhibiti anti-inflammatory activity and has proven very effective in supporting healthy joints. Boswellic acids (BA) are believed to suppress the proliferating tissue found in the inflammed areas and also prevent the breakdown of connective tissue. The mechanism is similar to the action of non steroidal groups of anti-arthritic drugs but with no side effects, gastric irritation and ulcerogenic activity. Boswellic acids improve blood supply to the joints and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. At least one study has indicated that they may open up collateral blood circulation to provide adequate blood supply to the joints.

Boswellic acids have been known to reduce joint swelling, maintain blood supply to inflamed joints, maintain mobility, and reduce pain due to stiffness in the joints. They also have no side effects.

Boswellin is standardized to 60 to 65 percent boswellic acid and its derivatives. These are the primary active ingredients in the gum resin.

Uses

In Ayurvedic medicine, different parts of Boswellin were traditionally used to treat such varied health conditions as asthma, dysentery, rheumatism, ulcers, and skin disorders.

Boswellin possesses analgesic and anti arthritic properties. By regulating the mediators of inflammation, it exerts a significant anti-inflammatory activity. The herb also acts as COX-2 inhibitors and reduces the pain and inflammation without affecting gastric mucosa. It soothes the joints and also helps treating levels of synovial fluid making the entire structure lubricated and easy to rotate or to move.

A double-blind crossover study of patients with osteoarthritis demonstrated that a preparation containing Boswellin significantly reduced disability scores and pain, although it did not alter the underlying joint deformity.

The arthritis benefits from boswellic acids may be related to their impact on glycosaminoglycan metabolism;
These are the same biochemical pathways affected by glucosamine. Boswellic acid also has an effect on the immune system.

Beneficial in:

A boswellia gum resin preparation has been studied for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in comparison to sulfasalazine, a standard drug for this condition. Over the course of six weeks, measures such as blood tests, stool analyses, and tissue pathology showed improvement. Three-fourths of the patients given sulfasalazine went into remission, and 82 percent of those on the resin preparation did so as well.

Dose

The dose utilized in the ulcerative colitis study was 350 mg three times a day. That study lasted six weeks.

Special Precautions

No special precautions are noted.

Adverse Effects

Boswellia has not been shown to cause ulcers, cardiovascular, respiratory, or psychological side effects.

Many studies conducted since the original study has confirmed that Boswellia serrata has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. Additionally, Boswellia was found to improve blood supply to the joints and restore integrity of vessels weakened by spasm. Boswellia has been successfully used to treat Bursitis, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. In a double blind placebo controlled study, 12 patients with osteoarthritis were given a herbal formula consisting of Boswellin, Aswagandha, and turmeric or placebo for three months. The patients were evaluated every two weeks. After a fifteen day washout period, the treatment was reversed with the placebo patients getting the drug and vice versa. The results were evaluated over a three month period. The patients receiving the herbal formula showed a significant drop in severeity of pain and disability score.

Boswellic acid is thought to exert anti-inflammatory effects by preventing the breakdown of connective tissue, and by increasing the blood supply to joint tissues. In one study, Boswellia performed better than prescription drugs at reducing the inflammation of osteo and rheumatory arthritis. Boswellia is a rich source of gugglesterones and is a common ingredient in over the counter weight loss supplements. Gugglesterones stimulate the thyroid, leading to metabolic up-regulation, an increase in thyroid efficiency, increased caloric burn, and possibly weight loss. Recent scientific research has identified several of the ingredients of Boswellia which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects. In studies, these agents have been seen to reduce inflammation by deterring the inflammation of white cells and improving the flow of blood to the joints. In addition, these Boswellia acids have been shown to block the chemical reactions that can be precursors to inflammation.

Health Benefits Of Boswellia

The active anti-inflammatory ingredients in Boswellia identified by the researchers are commonly referred as boswellic acids. In studies, these acids have been shown to reduce inflammation significantly in several ways. Boswellic acids deter inflammatory white cells from infiltrating damaged tissue. They improve blood flow to the joints. They also block chemical reactions that set the stage for inflammation to occur in chronic intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Boswellia may help to ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Boswellia can be taken internally as well as applied topically to affected joints to relieve inflammation associated with these joint disorders. Especially Boswellia is thought to be effective against both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. In addition, boswellia has been shown to decrease the severity of back pain, particularly when used orally. Cream forms of Boswellia can also be quite soothing to low back pain and stiffness.

In addition to these anti-inflammatory benefits, Boswellia is thought to reduce inflammation that can be associated with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 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 stomach upset and other digestive problems.

Uses Of Boswellia

Possible Side Effects

Generally Boswellia appears to be well tolerated with very few side effects. Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.

FAQ’s

1. What exactly is the use of Boswellin?
A- Boswellin is a proven-effective 100% safe and natural herbal remedy, which will act as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and provides relief to the joints and muscle tissues that are stiff and painful. Boswellin also helps treating joint and muscular conditions like osteoarthritis, fibrostitis, rheumatism, small joint disease and lower back pain.

2. I am sure any analgesic or painkiller disturbs our digestive systems and produce burning sensations in stomach. Can you specify Boswellin now?
A- Of course yes! You are right but partially! Drugs like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs), analgesics etc disturbs the microflora of the intestines and also irritate the gastric mucosa because of which, the symptoms you said occur. Remember that Boswellin is natural herb and it contains all natural ingredients. The property of the herb is analgesic but it does not disturb either your microflora or your gastric mucosa. Do not worry about those unwanted effects and enjoy “noise-free” and “painless” movements of life!

3. Are there any other products that can augment with Boswellin and provide faster relief from joint pains?
A – Boswellin itself is the great herb. However you can add some of the other potent herbs like Ginger, Guggulu, Athcare Capsules etc. We also recommend to-go for topical use of Arthcare oil that treats the problem locally and gives warmth soothing your joint and making it free.

4. What are the other precautions or recommendations to get rid of day-to-day pains?
A – Along with Boswellin, you can practice Yoga. Avoid contact between cool atmosphere and your joints wearing knee caps or any cloth that covers joints. For backache, change your sitting posture (sit straight and not curved) and sleep on flat surfaces. Avoid junk food and apply oil regularly to the joints.

Clinical Studies:

Traditionally Boswellin gum has been used for the treatment of diabetes, skin and blood diseases, cardiovascular disorders, neurological disorders, rheumatism, dysentery, diseases of the testes and a myriad of other disorders.

Today it’s widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, myositis, fibrositis, and osteoarthritis. In the study conducted as the Government Medical College in Jammu, India, nearly 60 percent of arthritic patients tested with the herb experienced good to excellent results in stiffness and pain. Over three-quarters of the patients in the study were wither bedridden or incapacitated from doing normal work. Within two to four weeks after starting on the Boswellin extract, they reported a lessening of morning joint stiffness, pain and improved grip strength. In another study of 26 patients suffering from arthritic knees, dramatic improvement was experienced within four weeks.

Experimental and clinical usage of Boswellin indicates that it has no side or harmful effects on blood pressure, heart rate, gastric mucosa etc. Unlike other anti-inflammatory and anti arthritic drugs, it does not produce any gastro-intestinal ulceration. Boswellin in now an approved herbal medicine in India to use treating various musculo-skeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, low back pain, myositis and fibrositis.

In the United States, physicians are giving Boswellin high ranking for its effectiveness. Dr. E.W. McDonagh, a Kansas City physician, has reported success among 350 patients suffering from a variety of advanced muscular and skeletal conditions for which other treatments had failed to help. “Many were taking multiple prescription and non-prescription medication and had developed since side effects, “ McDonagh says. “Once taking Boswellin as prescribed, pain significantly reduced or vanished in two to four weeks time. All patients were able to eliminate other medication or reduce dosages significantly.”

In Abilene, Joe B. Alexander M.D., reported “fantastic results” among 20 patients. Among them was a 56-year old woman with arthritis who previously used many medications but said the effect of Boswellin was the “best of anything” she had ever had.

Studies done with patients with active Crohn’s disease with Boswellia Serrata Extract in 2001 (Z Gastroenterol) have shown that according to the state of the art treatment of active Crohn’s disease, mesalazine, Boswellia is superior considering both safety and efficacy in terms of benefit-risk-evaluation.

Bosweelin Curcumin has also been shown to be effective in the following conditions:

Inflammatory Joint and spinal disease (Schweiz Arch tierheilkd 2004 Feb)

Cytostatic and apoptosis-inducing activity toward malignant cell lines in vitro. (Anti Cancer Res 2002 Sept-Oct)
Inhibiting activity against human leukemia HL-60 cells in culture (Planta Med, 1998 May)