Boswellia: The Herbal Cure for Pain and Inflammation

Boswellia, also known as Indian Frankincense, is a type of tree resin with a highly fragrant scent commonly used in religious ceremonies and rituals. In addition to its wonderful aroma, Boswellia has many other practical benefits and can be used as a natural health remedy.

Read on to learn more about this valuable plant and its potential to ease inflammation and pain.

What is Boswellia?

Boswellia, also known as Indian Frankincense, is a type of tree resin commonly used in religious ceremonies and rituals for its highly fragrant scent. The Boswellia tree is native to the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Boswellia is an ingredient commonly found in anti-inflammatory creams and supplements for treating joint pain. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat inflammation and arthritis and is also an antioxidant.

How Does Boswellia Help With Pain?

Boswellia works as an anti-inflammatory and is commonly used as a natural remedy for reducing joint pain and chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Boswellia’s active ingredient, boswellic acid, inhibits the production of inflammatory agents in the body.

When inflammation occurs in the joints and muscles, the immune system floods white blood cells to the affected area. This rush of cells causes the release of inflammatory agents such as histamines, cytokines, and prostaglandins. Boswellic acid stops these inflammatory agents from being released and stops the chain of events that lead to inflammation.

Benefits of Boswellia

Reduces Anxiety 

In some studies, Boswellia reduced anxiety, stress, and even panic attacks.

Sleep Aid

Studies show that taking a standardized extract of Boswellia before bed can help improve sleep quality and duration. 

Powerful Antioxidant

Boswellia is also an antioxidant that can help slow aging and protect against chronic diseases. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain, stiffness, and joint deformity. The cause of RA is unknown but is thought to be a combination of genetics, bacterial infections, and environmental factors such as stress.

Boswellia is a potent anti-inflammatory and has been shown to have powerful antioxidant and anti-arthritic effects. Studies show Boswellia can reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain symptoms in individuals with mild to moderate RA.

Asthma Treatment

Asthma is a condition that causes inflammation and swelling of the airways. The airways become inflamed due to an allergic reaction or a viral infection. In addition to making the body less inflamed, Boswellia has been shown to help people with asthma breathe better.

The active components of Boswellia help relax and dilate the airways by regulating the functions of the muscles surrounding them. One study found that Boswellia could reduce asthma symptoms and improve lung function in asthma patients.

Fights Cancer 

Although there is no cure for cancer, natural therapies have been found to help the body fight and prevent cancer. Boswellia is a natural resin with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. When combined with other therapies, Boswellia may be an effective treatment for cancer patients.

In one study, Boswellia was found to help slow tumor growth in mice with colorectal cancer when combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). When Boswellia was mixed with paclitaxel in another study, it stopped breast cancer cells from growing in the lab and living animals. Evidence suggests that Boswellia could be a promising way to treat cancer. 

Helps Diabetes Management

According to research, Boswellia may help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and improve their insulin sensitivity. It contains Boswellic acid, which reduces inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity.

Research suggests that Boswellia can help to improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of developing complications such as heart disease and eye problems. It may also help normalize cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Improves Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

In recent years, studies have shown that Boswellia has potential therapeutic properties for several conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis.

Preliminary results have been promising and may lead to the development of new therapies for those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. There are currently no FDA-approved medications that target ulcerative colitis specifically.

However, many people using topical or oral treatments with anti-inflammatory properties may find some relief from symptoms related to UC. Some research also shows that taking a daily liquid extract of Boswellia may help keep the intestines healthy and reduce inflammation.

How Does Boswellia Help With Inflammation?

In addition to reducing the inflammatory response, Boswellia has been shown to have potent antioxidant properties. It has been shown to protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to inflammation.

Oxidants and free radicals have been implicated in many chronic diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Boswellia is a promising natural treatment for many health problems because it can reduce swelling and fight free radicals. 

How to Use Boswellia for Pain and Inflammation

Boswellia can be consumed as a tea or tincture, applied topically as a cream, or taken as a supplement. Boswellia can be used as a cream to treat arthritis, sprains, and strains by reducing pain and inflammation. 

Depending on the dose of Boswellia taken, its effects can last anywhere from 6 to 12 hours. A typical dose of Boswellia is 300 to 600 mg, taken two to three times daily. Taking a concentrated, high-quality formula of Boswellia is best to ensure consistent, successful results from the herb. 

Conclusion

Boswellia is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herb used for thousands of years. It effectively reduces pain and inflammation, especially in chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and asthma.

Boswellia has many other benefits, including being a natural sleep aid and an antioxidant. You can drink it as a tea or tincture, put it on your skin as a cream, or take it as a supplement.