| Boswellia is also know as Indian frankincense, salai | | | | other half received placebo. After the first |
| guggal, and boswellin. The proper botanic label for | | | | intervention, washout was given and then the groups |
| boswellia is Boswellia serrata. It is derived from the | | | | were crossed over to receive the opposite |
| resin of the bark of the Boswellia tree. While it grows | | | | intervention for eight weeks. All patients receiving |
| in other parts of Southeast Asia, it is found | | | | boswellia reported decrease in knee pain, increased |
| abundantly found in the Indian subcontinent. | | | | knee flexion and increased walking distance. The |
| Boswellia is available in either pill or capsule form. The | | | | frequency of swelling in the knee joint was |
| dose for most people is generally 300 mg to 400 mg | | | | decreased. Radiologically there was no change. The |
| taken three times a day. | | | | observed differences between drug treated and |
| For a product to be effective, it should contain at | | | | placebo being statistically significant, are clinically |
| least 60 per cent boswellic acid. It is the boswellic | | | | relevant. Boswellia serrata extract was well tolerated |
| acid that contains the active ingredient. A number of | | | | by the subjects except for minor gastrointestinal |
| nutritional supplements now contain boswellia. Look | | | | symptoms. |
| for a reputable manufacturer. | | | | The conclusions were: "Boswellia serrata extract is |
| The condition for which boaswellia has had the most | | | | recommended in the patients of osteoarthritis of the |
| supporting evidence for a beneficial effect is arthritis. | | | | knee with possible therapeutic use in other arthritis." |
| The most convincing study was published in 2003 | | | | Other studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory |
| (Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7) when a research | | | | and analgesic properties. Diseases that have been |
| study examined thirty patients with osteoarthritis of | | | | studied where good results have been reported |
| the knee. Half of the patients received daily | | | | include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, |
| supplementation with 333 mgs of Boswellia. The | | | | inflammatory bowel disease, and bursitis. |