How Boswellia - Frankincense Can Be Used In Medicine
Other Common Names: Olibanum, Frankincense, Salai guggal, Boswellia serrata
Boswellia, from the Boswellia serrata tree, is found primarily in
India. The Boswellia tree is a balsamic tree that secretes aromatic
oleoresins which are collected, when they dry, into a gum, after
exuding from cuts in the bark. In the ancient Ayurveda.html">Ayurvedic medical texts of India, the gummy exudate from boswellia is grouped with other gum resins and referred to collectively as guggals.
The gum-resin is reported to possess, sedative and marked analgesic
activity. The defatted extract of the gum exudate (oleo-gum-resin) was
found to possess marked anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity
against adjuvant arthritis in experimental animals and was free from
toxicity or any other side effects. It was also shown to possess marked
cholesterol and triglyceride lowering activity. Clinical trials on
rheumatic patients have shown promising results. Boswellic acids
isolated from the gum resin inhibit, in a concentration dependent
manner, 5-lipoxygenase product formation with an IC50 of 1.5 ?M.
Chronic toxicity studies in healthy monkeys revealed that the drug was
devoid of bio-chemical, hematological and other toxicities.
The gum is credited with astringent, stimulant, expectorant,
diuretic, diaphoretic, antipuretic, stomachic emmenagogue, ecbolic and
antiseptic properties. It is reported to be useful in ulcers, tumours,
goitre, cystic breast, diarrhea, dysentery, piles, asthma, bronchitis,
chronic laryngitis, jaundice, syphilitic and skin diseases. It is used
in the preparation of an ointment for sores and is used with butter in
syphilis. The gum-resin is astringent, anti-pyretic, antidysentry,
expectorant, diaphosetic, diuretic, stomachic, emmenagogue. It is
useful in fevers, diaphoresis, convulsions, dysentery, urethrorrhea,
orchiopathy, bronchitis, asthma, cough, stomatitis, syphilitic
diseases, chronic laryngitis, jaundice and arthritis.
Boswellic acids are effective anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic
agents, for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue
rheumatism, and low back pain. They also help control excessively high
blood lipids and atherosclerosis, and protect the liver against
bacterial galactosamine-endotoxins. The non-acid part of the gum has
pain-relieving and sedative qualities, and in high doses can lower
blood pressure, and reduce heart rate in dogs but increase it in frogs.
Observed benefits of Boswellia include reduction in joint swelling,
increased mobility, steroid sparing action (less steroids required in
combined treatment), less morning stiffness, improved grip strength,
and general improvement in quality of life, for both osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis.
- Pachnanda et al., Ind. J. Pharmacol., 1981;13: 63.
- The Wealth of Asia, P.I.D.,C.S.I.R., 1996, New Delhi.
Other Common Names: Olibanum, Frankincense, Salai guggal, Boswellia serrata
Boswellia, from the Boswellia serrata tree, is found primarily in
India. The Boswellia tree is a balsamic tree that secretes aromatic
oleoresins which are collected, when they dry, into a gum, after
exuding from cuts in the bark. In the ancient Ayurveda.html">Ayurvedic medical texts of India, the gummy exudate from boswellia is grouped with other gum resins and referred to collectively as guggals.
The gum-resin is reported to possess, sedative and marked analgesic
activity. The defatted extract of the gum exudate (oleo-gum-resin) was
found to possess marked anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity
against adjuvant arthritis in experimental animals and was free from
toxicity or any other side effects. It was also shown to possess marked
cholesterol and triglyceride lowering activity. Clinical trials on
rheumatic patients have shown promising results. Boswellic acids
isolated from the gum resin inhibit, in a concentration dependent
manner, 5-lipoxygenase product formation with an IC50 of 1.5 ?M.
Chronic toxicity studies in healthy monkeys revealed that the drug was
devoid of bio-chemical, hematological and other toxicities.
The gum is credited with astringent, stimulant, expectorant,
diuretic, diaphoretic, antipuretic, stomachic emmenagogue, ecbolic and
antiseptic properties. It is reported to be useful in ulcers, tumours,
goitre, cystic breast, diarrhea, dysentery, piles, asthma, bronchitis,
chronic laryngitis, jaundice, syphilitic and skin diseases. It is used
in the preparation of an ointment for sores and is used with butter in
syphilis. The gum-resin is astringent, anti-pyretic, antidysentry,
expectorant, diaphosetic, diuretic, stomachic, emmenagogue. It is
useful in fevers, diaphoresis, convulsions, dysentery, urethrorrhea,
orchiopathy, bronchitis, asthma, cough, stomatitis, syphilitic
diseases, chronic laryngitis, jaundice and arthritis.
Boswellic acids are effective anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic
agents, for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue
rheumatism, and low back pain. They also help control excessively high
blood lipids and atherosclerosis, and protect the liver against
bacterial galactosamine-endotoxins. The non-acid part of the gum has
pain-relieving and sedative qualities, and in high doses can lower
blood pressure, and reduce heart rate in dogs but increase it in frogs.
Observed benefits of Boswellia include reduction in joint swelling,
increased mobility, steroid sparing action (less steroids required in
combined treatment), less morning stiffness, improved grip strength,
and general improvement in quality of life, for both osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis.
- Pachnanda et al., Ind. J. Pharmacol., 1981;13: 63.
- The Wealth of Asia, P.I.D.,C.S.I.R., 1996, New Delhi.
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