Boswellia: properties, what it is for and contraindications

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

The boswellia tree (Boswellia serrata Rox. ex. hummingbird) is also known as frankincense or incense from India, and indeed it is closely related to the frankincense tree. It is native to India and perhaps also to 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 gum, somewhat translucent, from which oils and extracts for medicinal use.

Boswellia properties

Boswellia contains triterpenic acids, among which stand out for their therapeutic efficacy the ß boswellic acid (KBA) and the 11ß acetyl boswellic acid (AKBA).

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

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

What is boswellia used for?

According to various clinical studies, the acids KBA and AKBA present in boswelia develop a clear inhibitory action on the enzymes that cause inflammation, stopping 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

Boswellia is used to 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 able to reduce the intensity and frequency of pain and to combat joint stiffness, providing the patient with greater flexibility and mobility in their daily routine and, ultimately, a better quality of life.

For all these reasons, boswellia, through a wide variety of products, is very present in herbalists and pharmaciesas a natural supplement to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatism and to increase tolerance to outbreaks of pain, in treatments of at least two months duration. 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 in recovering greater flexibility of movement.

An even more recent Iranian study proved that massage 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 Ayurvedic practice, boswellia is also used to combat inflammatory processes that occur in the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as an alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatories, which in some cases carry severe side effects when administered chronically. Studies like this one published in Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie compare its effectiveness to that of some drugs.

boswellia for skin

Prepared with boswellia extract, they are used as a revitalizer and toner for the skin, to treat skin inflammation, bumps and swelling, and to apply to damaged, prematurely wrinkled or aged skin.

Other uses of boswellia

Boswellia has been indicated, also 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 to support this. for all these cases.

How is boswellia used?

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

In addition you can find:

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

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Boswellia Precautions and Contraindications

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 diarrhoea, nausea, heartburn, headache or skin rashes.

Anti-inflammatory treatments with boswellia could interact with the taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as the famous iboprufen; Therefore, it is worth consulting with the doctor if drug treatments are being followed.

By Jordi Cebrián, journalist specializing in phytotherapy