Boswellia
Indian frankincense, or boswellia, is extracted from the tree called Boswellia serrata. This extract is made into resin utilized in African and Asian folk medicine for hundreds of years. Boswellia helps treat chronic inflammatory diseases and a wide range of health conditions. Aside from the resin form, this home remedy for inflammation is also available in cream and pill form. Due to boswellia’s strong anti-inflammatory effect, people use it as a painkiller. Aside from that, it is also believed to prevent cartilage loss. Studies show that Boswellia also can treat particular cancers like breast cancer and leukemia.
According to some research, boswellic acid can fend off the development of the molecules leukotrienes in the body. These molecules cause inflammation and might generate symptoms of asthma. The anti-inflammatory benefits of boswellia resin come from its four acids that suppress 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), which produces leukotriene responsible for many inflammation-related skin conditions in man. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is the most potent among the four acids.
Meanwhile, healthcare professionals remind the public to ask for experts’ advice before using boswellia, as it might reduce the performance of anti-inflammatory drugs or cause adverse effects.
