 Brief Background:
 | Boswellia,
or olibanum, is a close relative of the incense frankincense. Extracts from resins of Boswellia species have been
used for years in Ayurvedic medicine in India and in African countries for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Today,
boswellia is commonly used in complementary medicine, and it is widely available to consumers. | | Boswellia
serrata resin extracts have been found to inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators, including leukotrienes.
Animal and in vitro studies suggest possible efficacy for inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, ileitis, acne, skin allergies and ulcers,
peritumoral brain edema, and osteoarthritis, although high-quality human data are lacking. Initial human evidence from one
well-designed trial suggests that boswellia may be an effective chronic therapy for asthma (but not for the relief
of acute asthma exacerbations. Further studies are warranted in this area. |
Expert Opinion and Historic
Precedent:
| Boswellia
has traditionally been used for a number of topical applications, including the treatment of acne, bacterial infections, fungal
infections, boils, wound healing, scars, and varicose veins. It is used cosmetically as a facial toner and to smooth wrinkles. | | Chinese herbalists
use boswellia in powder form and in teas to treat rheumatism, menstrual pain, and as an external wash for sores and bruises. | | Historically,
boswellia has been utilized to improve emotional well-being and as part of religious rituals. It has been reported that it
has the ability to enhance spirituality, mental perception, meditation, prayer, and consciousness when burned. Burning is
said to produce a psychoactive substance, trans-hydrocannabinole. |
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