Super Foods Blog

The Healing Power of Boswellia Serrata

It is called the Indian frankincense and grows wild in the hills in India. Boswellia is a gummy resin that comes from the bark of the boswellia serrata tree and has long been used by Indian medicine men as an anti-inflammatory. From the annals of history, it has found its way into modern medicine and is used to fight inflammation in a whole host of diseases. Today, the resin is purified and sold in the form of creams or pills and has found use in conditions like arthritis. So many of the NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs tend to cause an irritation in the stomach but boswellia does not. It is also very effective for disorders of the intestine as well as backaches.

How does it fight inflammation so well? Research has thrown up the ingredients that are responsible for making it such a great anti-inflammatory substance. It contains ingredients called boswellic acids. These have been tried on animals and studies have indicated that the reduction in inflammation is because these acids improve the flow of blood to the joints and do not allow the white blood cells to get inflamed. They also tend to block any kind of chemical reaction that could bring on inflammation.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory characteristics, it is mainly used in rheumatoid and osteoarthritic conditions. When used orally, it also seems to alleviate backaches though creams can also be applied to the back for relief. Taken orally, it also has been found to be beneficial in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Unlike traditional pain relievers which usually came with stomach problems, boswellia does not have any side effects.

Boswellia can be bought as topical creams, capsules and tablets. For pain, the topical cream is very effective. For back pain, this can be complemented with oral doses of the herb. The best recommended dose would be 150 mg thrice a day. Use the cream on the area of pain every 4 to 6 hours to get relief.

Normally, boswellia has no allergic reactions or side effects. In the rare case that there is any case of rash, loose motions or nausea, it would be advisable to stop the medication at once. Always keep your physician in the loop and let him know exactly what medications you are taking. By all, we mean all – including the vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines.

Do remember to buy brands that are reputed. The product should have a 60% concentration of the herb as this is the standardized level. Make sure it has been made to stringent quality standards if you want to get the best out of it. You can only do this by making sure you know all about the manufacturer.