The boswellia or boswellia resin (Boswellia serrata) it’s a traditional ingredient of indian ayurveda medicinewhich is mainly used to relieve joint pain for its appreciated anti-inflammatory propertieswhich make it an excellent natural anti-inflammatory.

The boswellia tree (Boswellia serrata Rox. ex. Colebr.) is Also known as frankincense or Indian incenseand indeed it is closely related to the incense tree. It is native to India and perhaps also the Arabian Peninsula and is cultivated in North Africa.

Oleoresin is used, which is obtained by incision of the trunk or the branches of this tree.

It is a yellowish, somewhat translucent rubber, from which oils and extracts for medicinal use.

Boswellia properties

Boswellia contains triterpenic acids, among which the most notable for their therapeutic effectiveness is ß boswellic acid (KBA) and the Acetyl 11ß boswellic acid (AKBA).

It also contains traces of essential oil with pinene, thuyene, limonene and other volatile substances, alcohols (borneol, verbenol), gum (galactosides) and resin.

All this gives the boswelia anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and immunostimulant properties.

What is boswellia used for?

According to various clinical studies, The KBA and AKBA acids present in boswellia develop a clear inhibitory action on the enzymes that cause inflammation.slowing or attenuating the inflammatory process. At the same time they would increase the body’s immune response.

This anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating action of boswellia is what marks its main uses:

Boswellia for joint pain

Boswelia is used for relieve joint pain and stiffness in isolated or chronic inflammatory processes, in osteoarthritis and also in degenerative processes such as osteoarthritis.

Among its benefits, it stands out that it is capable of reducing the intensity and frequency of pain and to combat stiffness in the joints, providing the patient with greater flexibility and mobility in their daily routine and, ultimately, a better quality of life.

For all these reasons, boswelia, through a wide variety of products, is very present in herbalists and pharmaciesas a natural supplement to relieve the symptoms of rheumatism and to increase tolerance to pain flares, in treatments lasting at least two months. Different double-blind clinical studies have been developed, such as those collected in this systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Complementary Medicines and Therapieson patients with osteoarthritis and arthritis that would support its effectiveness in reducing pain and regaining greater flexibility of movement.

An even more recent Iranian study showed that massaging the knee affected by osteoarthritis with an oily resin extract of Boswellia serrata reduces pain intensity and improves joint mobility.

Boswellia for digestive inflammations

Following in the wake of Ayurveda practice, boswellia is also used to combat inflammatory processes that occur in the gastrointestinal tractsuch as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as an alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatories, which in some cases entail severe side effects when administered chronically. Studies like this one published in Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie equate its effectiveness to that of some drugs.

Boswellia for skin

Prepared with boswellia extract, they are used to revitalize and tone the skin, to treat skin inflammations, bumps and swellings and to apply to damaged, prematurely wrinkled or aged skin.

Other uses of boswellia

Boswelia has also been indicated in traditional Indian medicine as an effective treatment for asthmatic states, heart disorders, heart attacks, as well as for supportive treatment in certain types of cancer, but there is no scientific evidence that can support it for all of these cases.

How to use boswellia

The boswelia It is basically in the form of capsules from its extract, with a minimum content of at least 60% boswellic acids. They are recommended doses of between 200 and 400 mg dailyin three takes, for 2-3 week treatments.

Additionally you can find:

• liquid extract from boswelia, which is taken in drops to relieve joint pain and treat digestive inflammation.
• Boswellia extract incorporated into facial toners and creams, ointments for the body and shampoos to revitalize the scalp.
• Bottles of boswellia essential oil, for topical use.
• like incenseto aromatize rooms.
• in aromatherapy Boswellia essential oil is intended, in addition to being a natural flavoring, to combat pain, applied in the form of scrubs or massages, or to incorporate into the bath.

Precautions and contraindications of boswellia

The boswellia is a plant safe as long as it is consumed in the established doses, which in no case exceed 1,000 mg daily for 6 months of treatment.

Nevertheless, there have been cases of unwanted reactions after taking it, such as episodes of diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, headache or skin rash.

Anti-inflammatory treatments with boswellia could interact with taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as the famous iboprufen; For this reason, you should consult with your doctor if you are taking drug treatments.

By Jordi Cebrián, journalist specialized in phytotherapy