Boswellia (Frankincense) Powder 100 g, 50 g

Boswellia (Frankincense) Powder  100 g ($14.99), 50 g ($9.99)

Benefits:

Boswellia is one of the most ancient and respected herbs in ayurvedic healing. Traditionally it was used to treat arthritis, colitis, coughs, sores, snakebites, and asthma. Researchers and clinicians are finding that boswellia is a potent anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic for both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and pain reliever without any side effects. The gum and oil also are used in cosmetics, perfumes, and skin-care products.

Inflammation  Boswellia extracts have been shown to inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. This action may help treat diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and arthritis. Boswellia seems to work better in treating chronic asthma symptoms rather than acute asthma.

Among the valuable boswellia tree extracts that researchers have identified, several stand out as being most beneficial, including terpenes and boswellic acids, which are strongly anti-inflammatory and protective over healthy cells. Terpenes are strong-smelling chemicals found in certain plants, including some we associate with having antioxidant abilities, such as eucalyptus, basil, peppermint and citrus trees.

Terpenes play a vital role in protecting the plants that contain them, since their strong aroma can fight off insect predators, defend plants from environmental stresses and act as building blocks for important chemical processes. In the human body, terpenes can do the same thing, lowering free radical damage and prolonging health.

Other chemical compounds have been identified in boswellia that naturally reduce the inflammatory response by controlling T-lymphocytes, especially one called AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid). Although it works similarly to NSAID pain relievers, AKBA’s exact mechanisms of action are very different because they target different inflammatory enzymes. Because they’re better able to preserve the integrity of the stomach and gut lining, boswellia extracts cause less side effects and pose less risk for toxicity compared to NSAIDs.

AKBA helps fight pain thanks in part to its ability to inhibit an enzyme called 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) and therefore shuts down mechanisms of leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators produced by the process of oxidation (specifically of arachidonic acid). AKBA has shown to be effective in helping to fight against a large number of inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, bronchial asthma, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and cancer.

Another active component of boswellia is called incensole acetate, which has similar powers over lowering inflammatory reactions, especially those that target the brain and speed up cognitive decline. Studies show that incensole acetate is protective over neurons, helps fight the formation of tumors and has mood-enhancing benefits, making it a potential natural antidepressant and anti-anxiety compound.

Autoimmune Diseases  Your immune system constantly makes different types of antibodies to fight off various diseases (or “antigens”), but sometimes this process goes wrong and antibodies can actually be created that fight your very own bodily tissue, including healthy tissue that forms your organs. When this takes place, autoimmune disease occurs, which can affect nearly every system within the body.

One of the oldest uses of frankincense oil and boswellia is treating a variety of autoimmune ailments, especially common inflammatory diseases including asthma, arthritis and chronic bowel diseases. Boswellia interferes with autoimmune disease development, since it seems to help control the production of immunoglobulins, or antibodies, which are made by the immune system to fight potential threats: bacteria, viruses, fungi and toxins.

The fact that boswellia serrata has inhibitory actions that decrease production of leukotrienes has received high attention by researchers who study chronic inflammatory diseases that are rooted in increased leukotriene activity. As one study published in the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology states, ‘At the end of the cascade of events in the cellular immune system, as far as it directs to various tissues of the body — i.e. autoimmune diseases — formation of oxygen radicals and proteases play an important destructive role … it’s not surprising that positive effects of boswellia in some chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease have been reported.’

Many studies have shown that boswellia extracts help treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and collagenous colitis. IBS is a term for a group of intestinal disorders that cause prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract, especially the bowel lining that’s important for normal nutrient absorption and waste elimination. IBS can also affect other parts of the digestive system, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. Research shows that leukotrienes play a large role in igniting inflammation that disrupts normal bowel function.

Boswellia may help patients enter remission from IBS since it reduces inflammation/swelling associated with bowel diseases, restores normal bowel cell structures, improves stool properties significantly and helps heal openings in the bowel wall. One study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found that 350 milligrams of boswellia serrata extract given three times daily for six weeks resulted in patients experiencing improvements in all parameters tested. A whopping 82 percent of IBD patients went into remission, which was even more than the percentage of patients who were using the standard prescription for IBD called sulfasalazine.

Similarly, supplementation with boswellia has been shown to be effective for facilitating remission in patients with collagenous colitis, another type of IBD that causes abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and lots of discomfort. In a study done by the Department of Medicine at Medical College Jammu in India, boswellic acids were found to inhibit the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, which is a major contributor to the disease. Twenty patients were given boswellia serrata (900 milligrams daily divided in three doses for six weeks), and at the end of the trial, 18 out of 20 patients showed an improvement in one or more of the parameters tested while 14 out of 20 went into remission.

Arthritis. Laboratory studies have shown that boswellic acids, active components in boswellia, deactivate the hormonal triggers for inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis. These acids effectively shrink inflamed tissue and could stimulate the growth of cartilage, increase blood supply to inflamed joints, and enhance the repair of local blood vessels damaged by inflammation. In one study, patients with knee pain derived benefit from boswellia at 333 milligrams per capsule, taken three times a day for eight weeks. When the patients were receiving the boswellia, they experienced less pain intensity and swelling, and improved knee function.

Clinical studies using boswellia have showed some good results in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have reported dramatic improvement within two to four weeks. Experimental and clinical usage of boswellia indicates that it does not produce any side effects, such as irritation, ulcers, and effects on heart rate and blood pressure, which are associated with most anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic drugs.

One 2003 study published in the journal Phytomedicine found that all 30 people with osteoarthritis knee pain who received boswellia reported a decrease in knee pain. They also reported an increase in knee flexion and how far they could walk. Newer studies support the continued use of boswellia for OA. Another study, funded by a boswellia production company, found that increasing the dosage of enriched boswellia extract led to an increase in physical ability. Osteoarthritis knee pain decreased after 90 days with the boswellia product, compared to a lesser dosage and placebo. It also helped reduce the levels of a cartilage-degrading enzyme.

Studies on the usefulness of boswellia in RA treatment have shown mixed results. An older study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that boswellia helps to reduce RA joint swelling. Some research suggests that boswellia may interfere with the autoimmune process, which would make it an effective therapy for RA. Further research supports the effective anti-inflammatory and immune-balancing properties.

Another study published in the Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology found that boswellia serrata assisted in treating osteoarthritis symptoms such as knee pain, knee jerking and pain while walking significantly better than treatment with a placebo. Researchers concluded that the anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic activities of boswellia make it a promising treatment for decreasing knee pain, increasing knee flexion and increasing walking distances in those prone to frequent swelling in the knee joints.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease  One double-blind study reported that boswellia may be helpful for ulcerative colitis. A recommended dose is 400 milligrams of boswellia, standardized to contain 37.5 percent of gum resins, three times daily. The full effect may take as long as four to eight weeks to develop. Another study used 300 milligrams of gum resin of boswellia, three times a day for six weeks in patients with chronic colitis. Ninety percent of the patients improved with minimal side effects. Another group of patients got the standard drug treatment (sulfasalazine), and only 60 percent improved. Crohn’s patients took 800 milligrams of boswellia serrata extract or placebo, three times a day for one year. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of tolerance, days in remission, and time to remission. Thus, boswellia seems to be better for ulcerative colitis patients than for those with Crohn’s disease.

Asthma  Boswellia can play a role in reducing leukotrienes, which causes bronchial muscles to contract. A 1998 study of the herb’s effect on bronchial asthma found that people who took boswellia experienced decreased asthma symptoms and indicators. This shows the herb could play an important role in treating bronchial asthma. Research continues and has shown the positive immune-balancing properties of boswellia can help the overreaction to environmental allergens that happens in asthma.

Cancer  Boswellic acids act in a number of ways that may inhibit cancer growth. Boswellic acids have been shown to prevent certain enzymes from negatively affecting DNA. Studies have also found that boswellia may fight advanced breast cancer cells, and it may limit the spread of malignant leukemia and brain tumor cells. Another study showed boswellic acids to be effective in suppressing the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Studies continue and the anti-cancer activity of boswellia is becoming better understood.

Research shows a link between AKBA and protection against brain, breast, colon, pancreatic, prostate and stomach cancers. The potential cancer-fighting properties of boswellia extracts and frankincense oil are in part due to how they influence our genes to promote healing, plus how they curb serious side effects of cancer treatments.

One of the most challenging and devastating things about battling cancer is suffering through the life-threatening and painful side effects that treatments like chemotherapy and radiation often cause. However, boswellia extracts, such as those derived from the species boswellia carteri, show promise for fighting these complications.

For example, frankincense and boswellia extracts have been shown to fight joint pain, swelling in the brain, digestive complications and migraine headaches without destroying healthy cells that leave people vulnerable to infections.

Infections  Boswellia is capable of lowering severity of infections of the respiratory or sinus tracts. Research shows boswellia also helps prevent allergies and asthma, eliminates phlegm in the lungs and acts as an anti-inflammatory in the nasal passages, which makes it easier to breath.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, frankincense has been used as a natural remedy for improving blood circulation, speeding up healing time and in relieving pain from a variety of bacterial or viral infections, such as colds or the flu, leprosy or gonorrhea. Studies also show that boswellia carteri and boswellia serrata extracts serve as a natural antiviral and can help treat strong and serious viruses, such as the flu or those caused by insect bites.

Recommended Uses
Boswellia is available as an extract labelled for its content of boswellin. Many product labels include the name boswellin. Since boswellin stimulates blood circulation, you should not use any boswellia product during pregnancy.

Few side effects have been reported with boswellia other than an occasional allergic reaction, such as diarrhea, skin rash, or nausea. However, it is not recommended for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease.

 

Botanical Name: Boswellia serrata
English: Indian Frankincense, Indian Olibanum
Ayurvedic: Shallaki, Susravaa Unani: Kundur
Also, known as: Gajabhakshyaa, Sallaki Salai, Gum kunduru, Salai guggul, Kungli, Parangisambirani, Luban, Salgai, Shaledum, Madimar, Kunturukkam, Salai gonda, Parangi sambrani, Anduga, Kondagugi tamu, Samprani, Tallaki, Maddi, Saleda, Labana, Saladi, Saledhi, Alberodell’incenso, anduga, arbore à encerns, boswellia, boswellie-dentelee, chilakdupa, dhupelio, dhup-gugali, dhupdo, fan hun hsiang, fan hunshu, gajabhakshya, gandhabiroz, gobahr shalla, husn-e-lubban, Indian frankincense tree, Indian olibanum, Indischerweihrauch, kapitthaprani, kondagugi tamu, kondor, koonkanadhoopam, kundre, kundrikam, kundur, kundur luban, kunduru, kunthreekan, labana, loban, loban zakar, lobhan, luban-dacar, luban dhakar, madi, madimar, pahadi, parangisambrani, parangisampirani, saladi, salai, Salaibaum, salai cha dink, salai gonad, salai guggal, salakhi, saleda, saledhi, saledo, salgai, sallaki, sambrani, samprani, sanlaki, shaledum, shallaki, susrava, tallaki, vishesha dhoop, visheshdhup, zarw and Ru xiang
Habitat: Dry forest and peninsular India
Origin: India
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Resin

General Information:
Boswellia serrata is a moderate to large size deciduous tree about 15-18 meters tall and up to 2-2.5 meters in girth. The purified extract of the gum resin tapped from the tree trunk and is then stored in specially made bamboo basket for removal of oil content and getting the resin solidified. After processing the gum resin is then graded according to its flavour, colour, shape, and size.
This gum -resin contain 30-65% resin, 5-15% essential oils which are soluble in the organic solvent. Gum resin have been traditionally used in folk medicine for centuries to treat various chronic diseases. Boswell is one of the most ancient and respected herbs in Ayurveda. Boswell is aromatic granular and translucent.
The gum and oil also used in cosmetics, perfumes, and skin care products. These have also been used as an adhesive, as an ingredient for cosmetic preparation, as a fragrance in daily rituals and in religious ceremonies.
Boswellia serrata is generally taken as a capsule, tablet, or its bark decoction orally.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are
pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.