Boswellia side effects
boswellic acid benefit,  research boswellia benefits boswellic acid dosage

Boswellia is an Ayurvedic herb that contains anti-inflammatory triterpenoids called boswellic acids. Boswellic acid and its derivatives have anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumor, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Dried extracts of the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree have been used since antiquity in India to treat inflammatory conditions. For more boswellia information.

Boswellia Extract , 65% Boswellic Acids, Nature's Way

Boswellia Extract is standardized to 65% boswellic acids, with the researched clinical dose used to support joint health and mobility. Boswellia Extract is concentrated from the specially processed resins and gums of the Boswellia serratta tree. The benefits of boswellia are due to the presence of four triterpene acids, especially B-eta boswellic acid. This Boswellia Extract is carefully standardized to contain at least 65% boswellic acids.


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Boswellia Supplement Facts:
Boswellia serratta dried extract - 307 mg   
    Yielding 65% extract, yielding: 200 mg Boswellic Acids

Boswellia side effects
No major boswellia side effects are reported in the medical literature. However, in rodent studies Very high doses of boswellia and boswellic acid have caused some harm to the liver whereas low dosage of boswellia were protective to the liver. No boswellia side effects of liver damage has been reported in humans as of April 2007. For more boswellia information.

Effect of hexane extract of Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resin on chemically induced liver damage.
Pak J Pharm Sci. 2006 Apr;19(2):129-33. Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, 5, Sarjapur Road, Koramangala, Bangalore-560 034, India.
The hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia serrata was evaluated for its effect on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or thioacetamide. Boswellia serrata was given in two different doses (87.5 mg/kg p.o. and 175 mg/kg p.o.). Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent was used as standard. The lower dose of Boswellia serrata (87.5 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reduced the elevated levels of serum marker enzymes and prevented the increase in liver weight in all three models of liver injury, while the higher dose showed mild hepatoprotective activity. The hepatoprotective effect of lower dose of Boswellia serrata was supported by changes in histopathology. It was concluded that hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia serrata plant in lower doses possess hepatoprotective activity.

Mechanism of Action of Boswellia
Boswellia may inhibit proinflammatory 5-lipoxygenase products and blockage of leukotriene synthesis.

Boswellic acid
Boswellia plant species are used in traditional medicine in India and African countries for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Animal experiments show anti-inflammatory activity of the boswellia extract. The mechanism of this action is due to boswellic acids. Boswellic acids are different from that of NSAID. Boswellic acids, the main active ingredients of Boswellia serrata, are anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, the key enzyme of leukotriene biosynthesis. The most evident action of boswellic acid is the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase. However, other factors such as cytokines (interleukins and TNF-alpha) and the complement system are also candidates. Moreover, leukocyte elastase and oxygen radicals are targets.

Potential Benefits of Boswellia
Asthma -- In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the use of 300 mg of boswellia 3 times daily led to improvement in signs and symptoms of asthma, including a reduction in asthma attacks.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
In one study of 30 patients aged 18-48 with chronic colitis, 20 were given boswellia extract 300 mg 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and the other 10 were given sulfasalazine, 1 g three times a day. Of the 20 treated with boswellia, 14 went into remission, as did 4 of the 10 treated with the drug.   Patients were studied at the Department of Medicine, Medical College Jammu, J&K, India suffered from chronic colitis characterized by vague lower abdominal pain, bleeding per rectum with diarrhoea and palpable tender descending and sigmoid colon. The inflammatory process in colitis is associated with increased formation of leukotrienes causing chemotaxis, chemokinesis, synthesis of superoxide radicals and release of lysosomal enzymes by phagocytes. The key enzyme for leukotriene biosynthesis is 5-lipoxygenase. Boswellic acids were found to be non-redox, non-competitive specific inhibitors of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. (see research update below)

Osteoarthritis -- boswellia is helpful (see research update below).
An Ayurvedic herbal combination of ashwagandha, boswellia , and curcumin was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study in patients with osteoarthritis. Treatment with this formulation produced a significant drop in severity of pain.   

Boswellia Research Update
Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial.
Kimmatkar N. Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7. MS Orthopedics, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Nagpur, India.

Boswellia extract availability by herbal suppliers
Boswellia extract is sold in a number of concentrations and extract potencies including 65 percent boswellic acids.

Boswellia questions
Q. I came across a product called Boswellia Complex. The website says that the ingredients in Boswellia Complex have pain relieving, anti-inflammatory properties. Is this true?
   A. Boswellia Complex is a combination of herbs. Each capsule contains: Bromelain (2400 gdu/gram) 100 mg, Boswellia serrata extract (65% organic acids) (Alpha and beta Boswellic acids min. 30% by HPLC) 200 mg, Curcuma longa (tumeric) extract (total cucuminoids 80-80% by HPLC) 200 mg and Quercetin 100 mg. Although we have not seen specific research with this Boswellia Complex product, the ingredients in this product appear to be beneficial.

Q. I'm looking for boswellia side effects or contraindications for boswellia. Is it safe for anyone? Does boswellia serrata thin your blood?
   A. No major boswellia side effects are reported in the medical literature. We don't know if boswellia serrata has any influence on clotting.

Q. What is the difference between Boswellia, Bowellin and Boswellic acids? Also I see recommended dosage of one, two and three tablets per day. Would like to try it but don't know how to start.
   A. Boswellia is the name of the herb, and the herb contains many different active chemicals. Some of their names are boswellin and boswellic acid. It is always a good idea the first time taking a new supplement to use the lowest dosage.

Q.  I take boswelia and mangosteen everyday for my back pain. I have in the last couple of months become very tired and can't seem to wake up during the day. is there something else i can take to bring me back to the person i used to be.
   A. Sometimes taking too much of certain supplements for too long can cause fatigue or other unexpected side effects. Fatigue can also be caused by a number of other factors that need to be evaluated by a health care provider.

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