Boswellia's therapeutics
Boswellia, commonly referred to as Indian Frankincense, is a natural plant product derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree, traditionally used in Asian Indian herbal medicine. It is primarily recognized for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating inflammatory conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent studies have also explored its use in managing inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as other conditions including bursitis, tendonitis, and skin disorders.
Research indicates that Boswellia may exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which contribute to its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms associated with various painful conditions. Typical dosages range from 300 to 1,200 mg of standardized extract per day. Clinical trials have reported promising outcomes, such as reduced asthma attacks and improved joint mobility in osteoarthritis patients. However, while evidence supports its benefits, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, further rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Boswellia is generally considered safe when using pharmaceutical-grade extracts, though caution is advised for crude preparations. Its safety for vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant or nursing women, has not been established. Given its potential health benefits and the need for more extensive research, Boswellia remains an intriguing area for those interested in herbal therapies.
Boswellia's therapeutics
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Bursitis, collagenous colitis, Crohn’s disease, tendonitis, ulcerative colitis, cancer prevention, skin disorders, brain injury, menstrual cramps
Overview
The gummy resin of the Boswellia tree has a long history of use in Asian Indian herbal medicine as a treatment for arthritis, bursitis, respiratory diseases, and diarrhea. Boswellia is also known as Indian Frankincense. Several other therapeutic uses for Boswellia have also been suggested.
Therapeutic Dosages
A typical dose of Boswellia is 300 to 400 mg three times a day of an extract standardized to contain 37.5 percent Boswellic acids. Some studies have used dosages as high as 1,200 mg three times daily.
Therapeutic Uses
Growing evidence suggests that Boswellia has anti-inflammatory effects. On this basis, the herb has been tried for several conditions in which inflammation is involved, including painful conditions such as bursitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendonitis. For the same reason, it has also been tried for asthma and inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease). In addition, Boswellia has shown promise for the relatively rare disease of the colon in which inflammation plays a role: collagenous colitis.
Furthermore, extracts of Boswellia have been studied as an aid to standard care for malignant glioma (a type of incurable brain tumor). The use of Boswellia appears to decrease symptoms, probably by decreasing inflammation in the brain (as well as through other mechanisms). However, this has not been proven, and individuals with cancer should not use Boswellia (or any other herb or supplement) except on a physician’s advice.
Several other therapeutic uses for Boswellia have been suggested. One study published in 2023 showed topical treatment of Boswellia alleviated various skin conditions in study participants over six weeks by reducing inflammation. Its beneficial effects for people with certain brain tumors indicate its effectiveness in treating traumatic brain injuries as well. Boswellia, combined with turmeric and sesame, was also effective in alleviating pain associated with menstrual cramps in a study published in 2023.
Scientific Evidence
Rheumatoid arthritis. According to a review of studies, preliminary double-blind trials have found Boswellia effective in relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Two placebo-controlled studies involving a total of eighty-one people with rheumatoid arthritis reportedly found significant reductions in swelling and pain over three months. In addition, a comparative study of sixty people over six months found that Boswellia extract produced symptomatic benefits comparable to oral gold therapy. However, this review lacked statistical certainty to confirm the results.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled seventy-eight people with rheumatoid arthritis found no benefit. However, about one-half of the patients dropped out, which seriously diminishes the significance of the results.
Asthma. A six-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study of eighty people with relatively mild asthma found that treatment with Boswellia at a dose of 300 milligrams (mg) three times daily reduced the frequency of asthma attacks and improved objective measurements of breathing capacity.
Osteoarthritis. In a double-blind study of thirty people with osteoarthritis of the knee, researchers compared Boswellia against placebo. Participants received either Boswellia or a placebo for eight weeks, and they were then switched to the opposite treatment for an additional eight weeks. The results showed significantly greater improvement in knee pain, knee mobility, and walking distance with Boswellia compared to a placebo. These results were continually replicated in subsequent studies.
Inflammatory bowel disease. An eight-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 102 Crohn’s disease patients compared a standardized Boswellia extract against the mesalazine drug. Participants taking Boswellia fared at least as well as those taking mesalazine, according to a standard Crohn’s disease severity score. A small, poorly designed trial found some indications that Boswellia might also offer benefits in ulcerative colitis.
Safety Issues
No serious side effects have been reported in clinical trials of pharmaceutical-grade standardized Boswellia extract. Crude herb preparations, however, may not be as safe as the specially manufactured extract. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and individuals with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Bibliography
Agarwal, Divya, and Priyanka Chaudhary. "Effect of Turmeric-Boswellia-Sesame Formulation in Menstrual Cramp Pain Associated with Primary Dysmenorrhea-A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study." Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 12, no. 12, p. 3968, 11 Jun. 2023, doi: 10.3390/jcm12123968. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.
"Boswellia." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 5 May 2023, www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/boswellia. Accessed 15 Aug. 2023.
"Boswellia: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions." RxList, www.rxlist.com/supplements/boswellia.htm. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.
Janssen, G., et al. "Boswellic Acids in the Palliative Therapy of Children with Progressive or Relapsed Brain Tumors." Klinische Padiatrie, vol. 212, 2000, p. 189-195.
Kimmatkar, N., et al. "Efficacy and Tolerability of Boswellia Serrata Extract in Treatment of Osteoarthritis of Knee." Phytomedicine, vol. 10, 2003, pp. 3-7.
Madisch, A., et al. "Boswellia Serrata Extract for the Treatment of Collagenous Colitis." International Journal of Colorectal Disease, vol. 22, no. 12, 2007, pp. 1445-1451.
Sachdev M, et al. "Efficacy and Safety of Boswellia Serrata Extracts in the Treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis." Global Journal of Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatology, 23 June 2022.
Safayhi, H., et al. "Concentration-Dependent Potentiating and Inhibitory Effects of Boswellia Extracts on 5-lipoxygenase Product Formation in Stimulated PMNL." Planta Medica, vol. 66, 2000, pp. 110-113.
Yu, G., et al. "Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia Extract for Osteoarthritis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, vol. 20, no. 225, 2020, doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6.