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Boswellia: What is it and What Does it Do?

People across the globe turn to natural remedies for common ailments every single day. Many of the illnesses and issues that plague everyday life have been treated with naturally found compounds for as long as we have existed as a society. That is why learning about some of these common supplements and remedies can be a huge benefit to our daily lives and sense of wellbeing.

Boswellia: what is it use for - tribe organics

What is Boswellia?

Boswellia is a very common supplement taken all across the world. However, it is most prominent in the region of Africa and South Asia. This is because the compound itself is taken from the boswellia serrata tree. The tree produces a very gummy resin that is extracted in a similar manner to extracting maple sap.

One such natural remedy often used in large parts of the world is Boswellia. Boswellia can be used to treat a whole host of issues ranging. It is safe to use, and is often taken as a supplement daily for those who benefit from it. But, what exactly is Boswellia? What does it do and what can you expect from it?

Well, that’s what we are here to talk about. Let’s explore what Boswellia is, what you can use it for, and what you can expect to experience when adding it into your daily routine.  

Boswellia resin is commonly referred to by another name--frankincense. Or rather Indian Frankincense. This rich resin is typically dried out and ground into a very fine powder and used in all kinds of medical practices and rituals across the world. It may be ingested, or simply burned as an incense as well. However in western society it is most often taken in capsule form as a nutritional supplement. 

So, what exactly does Boswellia do for us? 

 

The Benefits of Boswellia

Boswellia supplements are taken for a whole host of reasons depending on you and your needs. The research shows that Boswellia can potentially help to treat a range of illnesses and ailments ranging from mental to physical as we mentioned in our intro. While some of these uses are a bit shaky on their in depth research, many of them have quite a bit of evidence backing them up. For example:

Boswellia Reduces Inflammation

A study from 2019 shows that Boswellia itself is strikingly effective in treating inflammation across the board. However, the study took the time to focus on the effects on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that there was a pretty significant reduction in pain and inflammation in rats with RA. This showed a lot of promise in using capsules of boswellic acid for RA treatment. 

But, the benefits don’t stop there. The reduction in inflammation spans across a whole variety of ailments as well. Osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and even inflammation related to asthma have been found to respond well to Boswellia in general. 

What this means is that those who are suffering from pain or symptoms related to inflammation can consider Boswellia capsules to be a viable aid in their treatment. While the findings showed that Boswellia was not as effective in reducing inflammation as more powerful pharmaceuticals; it still showed that Boswellia used as a supplement to medication is a huge added benefit. 

Inflammation is the leading cause of symptoms in more illnesses than you may know. Illnesses such as Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, advanced acne, etc., all stem from extreme inflammation. This is the primary target for treatment using boswellic acid and Boswellia extract as a supplement. 


Boswellia and Cancer Treatment

Whenever someone makes the claim that something helps to treat cancer, it can come off as a bit of a ‘buzzword topic’. That’s because cancer is such a devastating issue that millions across the world face and deal with themselves or as a loved one to a cancer patient. But, there is actually some evidence to suggest that Boswellia can be beneficial in some cancer treatments. 

An important study on different treatments of pancreatic cancer cells showed that Boswellia was actually very effective in treating the cells and reducing the formation of cancer cells in the pancreas. 

Other studies have shown that Boswellia can help to treat cancer cells in the breast, and fight the formation of malignant tumors in the brain as well as the skin. Both ingestion and topical application of Boswellia extract have shown to be useful in helping to combat the formation and spread of cancer cells in a variety of ways. While this is still early phase research, the results are astounding and hopeful.


The Side Effects of Boswellia Serrata

While research shows that Boswellia is pretty exceptional at relieving and treating a variety of illnesses, not everything comes without drawbacks. Boswellia can cause a number of minor side effects that may not be pleasant, and that you should be aware of. 

In certain cases Boswellia has been linked to causing nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, and acid reflux. These side effects are rare, and not life threatening. However they should be noted in case they manifest and you may need to stop taking Boswellia in your daily supplement routine. 

In general Boswellia is perfectly safe to use daily for extended periods of time. However, when taken in excess or for too long there may be manifested results such as those above. It’s important that you do it carefully and always keep an eye on your regime and results. 


How to Dose Boswellia

When it comes to herbal therapy or any supplement regimen, you are always going to face differing answers and suggestions. This is because dosing herbal supplements can largely depend on your own tolerances, physical condition, and the potency of the herbal supplement itself. 

In general you will find that most manufacturer guidelines suggest that you take between 200-300mg of Boswellia 2-3 times per day. This will produce the best results and reduces the risk of negative side effects. However, this can be increased incrementally depending on your needs and condition. 

Most manufacturers will have printed on them a general suggestion for the dosage needed for their product. This is because different capsules will contain different amounts of Boswellia. So it’s a good idea to read the instructions before you begin dosing any herbal supplement or vitamin anyway. 

It’s important to note that you should always consult a physician before adding any supplement into your diet. This is especially true for those who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or have any pre-existing medicines that they are on. This helps to reduce any potential for negative impact from Boswellia. 

what to know before you dose - tribe organics

What to Know Before You Dose

While Boswellia may seem like the perfect solution to all of your problems, it’s important to remember a few things:

  • Boswellia is not a miracle cure.
  • Boswellia does not work for everyone.
  • Boswellia is best as a supplement, not a replacement for medicines prescribed by your doctor. 

It’s always best practice to temper your expectations with herbal therapy and supplements. This is because many people go into natural treatments expecting their lives to turn around in an instant. This is not the case with Boswellia. 

In most cases the benefits from Boswellia will not be noticeable until a week or two into taking it. This gives the compound time to work throughout your system and begin reducing inflammation and improving the wellbeing of your body. 

It is also important to note that Boswellia does not replace high-end prescription medications for severe conditions. While studies show that it does act as a powerful complement to many anti-inflammatory compounds, it does not outperform most of them outright. 

So long as you know what you expect, you can get a lot of good out of taking Boswellia supplements. Boswellia helps millions across the globe to feel less pain and improve their wellbeing and health. That is why it has been used for thousands of years to treat a whole list of physical ailments. 


Final Thoughts

Boswellia as a supplement can drastically improve your way of life. Those who suffer from RA and osteoarthritis, IBS, asthma, and more can all improve their quality of life through supplemental treatment with Boswellia capsules. Consult your doctor and see if Boswellia is safe to take with your current condition, and you can potentially feel the benefits of Boswellia sooner rather than later!