Indian Frankincense

Binomial Name : Boswellia Serrata Indian frankincense or Salai referred to in Sanskrit as shallaki. - Shallaki has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce the pain and inflammation of joints. Uses & Benefits : Anti-inflammatory benefits: Boswellia Serrata is an ancient Ayurvedic herb from India and known among herbalists as a treatment for arthritis. It is also beneficial in helping inflammation and joint health. Extracts of boswellia serrata have natural anti-inflammatory activity at sites where chronic inflammation is present by switching off pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, which initiate the process. Its Extracts have revealed that the pentacyclic triterpenes boswellic acids possess biological activities and appear to be responsible for the respective pharmacological actions. Boswellia and asthma, improvement in lung function: Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a doubleblind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study. The gum resin of Boswellia serrata, known in Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as Salai guggal, contains boswellic acids, which have been shown to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis. Collagenous colitis: Boswellia serrata extract for the treatment of collagenous colitis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. A study done was done at University Hospital in Germany to investigate the effect of Boswellia extract on symptoms, quality of life, and histology in patients with collagenous colitis. Patients with chronic diarrhea and histological proven collagenous colitis were randomized to receive either oral Boswellia serrata extract 400 mg three times daily for 6 weeks or placebo. Complete colonoscopy and histology were performed before and after treatment. The study suggested that Boswellia serrata extract might be clinically effective in patients with collagenous colitis. Boswellia and osteoarthritis, joint health: Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial.Boswellia serrata tree is commonly found in India. The therapeutic value of its gum (guggulu) has been known. It posses good antiinflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic activity. The observed differences between drug treated and placebo being statistically significant, are clinically relevant. Boswellia serrata Extract was well tolerated by the subjects except for minor gastrointestinal symptoms. Boswellia serrata Extract is recommended in the patients of osteoarthritis of the knee with possible therapeutic use in other arthritis.