Boswellia Supplements & Health Benefits – Arthritis

Living with arthritis can be difficult to say the least. Stiff, painful joints can turn even the most trivial of tasks into a major undertaking, and the fact that there aren’t many ways to manage arthritis effectively and consistently with modern medical treatments — at least, not without relying on invasive methods — makes it even worse.

But when it comes to traditional medicinal treatments, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, Ayurvedics and other traditional folk medicine practitioners have been using boswellia, an herbal extract also known as Indian frankincense, for arthritis in their treatments for literally hundreds or even thousands of years.

Not only that, but it’s not just smoke and mirrors: the more modern medical science looks into the role boswellia plays in treating the pain and inflammation related to arthritis, the more evidence emerges that it’s just what the doctor ordered.

Boswellia for Arthritis Support
When we say mounting medical research points to boswellia being a good fit for those suffering from arthritis, we’re not kidding. Indian frankincense has shown remarkable results in a number of research studies when it comes to helping reduce the effects of osteoarthritis by reducing pain and increasing joint range of motion.

That’s not all, though; boswellia has also shown to be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as well, with studies showing Indian frankincense’s anti-inflammatory and immune-balancing properties.

Other Uses of Boswellia

Boswellia’s long history of being used as an Ayurvedic medicine is its main claim to fame. Since it grows in abundance in South Asia, especially in the mountainous regions of India, it’s in constant use in traditional cures and treatments. Unlike many other herbal remedies, though, boswellia isn’t also used in Indian or Asian cuisine as an herb or a spice. This makes it one of the few natural remedies, usually derived as a gum resin from the bark of the herb itself, that has an exclusive role in health and healing.

Boswellia Benefits
The effect that Indian frankincense has on arthritis is, at this point, very well documented. Yet that’s not the only type of ailment that boswellia is ideal for treating. There are, in fact, quite a few traditional uses for this herb, and medical science has begun to reveal just how boswellia helps to treat all these different illnesses and conditions.

Support for Gastrointestinal Health
Boswellia is a strong anti-inflammatory, and as such it’s been used to treat stomach issues for generations. Modern research has revealed that it’s not just all hot air when it comes to Indian frankincense, as patients with Crohn’s Disease have responded favorably to treatment with Boswellia. Additionally, researchers have found that this herb might help treat ulcerative colitis as well.

Better Respiratory Health
Boswellia has a well-earned reputation for helping people breathe easier. When it comes to the way people with asthma experience labored breathing due to constricted bronchial muscles, boswellia has been shown to reduce the severity of this constriction in a number of different studies dating back to the late 1990s.

Anti-Cancer Properties
It’s still early days in some respects, but there’s mounting evidence that the boswellic acid that’s contained within boswellia extract has some very strong anti-cancer properties. It’s shown promise in research concerning pancreatic cancer, brain tumor cells, and even advanced breast cancer.

More time and energy is needed when it comes to figuring out just how effective it is, but it’s a very promising start.

How Much Boswellia Should I Have Each Day?
When it comes to taking boswellia for arthritis, there are a few guidelines out of there. According to the Arthritis Foundation, an ideal dose is 300 to 400mg three to four times a day, provided your boswellia supplement contains at least 60 percent boswellic acids, which are the most potent anti-inflammatory ingredients within Indian frankincense. While this recommendation can differ from one organization to another, it’s generally agreed upon that as long as you’re taking a supplement with at least 30 percent boswellic acid, you’ll be receiving a therapeutic dose.

Boswellia is remarkably well-tolerated and it’s very rare to have any sort of side effects from taking boswellia supplements. The only adverse reactions that are reported typically include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and, in some very rare instances, skin rash. That being said, there’s simply not enough research into the effects that boswellia supplements have on the development of children when breastfeeding or expectant mothers take boswellia.

It’s always recommended that you talk to your family doctor before beginning any nutritional supplement, including one that contains boswellia as an ingredient.

The Little Herb That Packs a Big Punch
With Indian frankincense being used for untold generations in traditional medicine, it’s no shock to anyone that this little herb has a real big positive impact on your health. With so many research studies that boswellia is an excellent aid in managing arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory health problems, and possibly even cancer, this Indian herb is poised to be a major game-changer if you include it in your own nutritional supplement regimen.