Boswellia – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, August 15, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Boswellia is a large, hardy tree native to India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. The tree trunk is valued for its resin or gum, which is known as frankincense. The boswellia tree’s resin is not only prized for its cultural and religious significance, but also for its many beneficial effects on the body’s overall health.

List of known nutrients

Boswellia is notably high in essential components that alleviate various diseases and fortify the body’s overall health. According to a Herbpathy.com entry, boswellia contains:

Borneol
Boswellic Acid
Cadinene
Camphene
Carvone
Caryophyllene
Dipentene
Diterpenes
Farnesol
Geraniol
Glucosamine
Lignin
Limonene
Linalool Genaryl
Pentosans
Phellandrene
Pinene
Quercetin
Sterols
Tannins
Triterpenes
Uronic Acid

Medicinal uses for boswellia

Boswellia is best known as the go-to remedy for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the Health Line website, boswellia extracts are known to possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve knee pain in both OA and RA patients. In one study, OA patients who received boswellia extracts reported reduced knee pain and marked improvements in walking distance and knee flexion. In another study, boswellia extracts helped increase physical activity and lower levels of cartilage-degrading enzyme in OA patients. In yet another study, the researchers suggest that taking boswellia extracts may alleviate joint swelling in patients with RA.

Boswellia’s anti-inflammatory properties are also touted to relieve a variety of respiratory conditions such as cough, catarrh, bronchitis, and asthma. The superfood is found to curb leukotrienes, compounds that trigger the contraction of bronchial muscles. This in turn relieves patients of respiratory symptoms. Aside from this, boswellia is shown to possess potent analgesic properties that help alleviate chronic pain.

In addition, the superfood is known to promote the digestive system’s overall health. Boswellia boasts with wound-healing, anti-ulcer, and anti-diarrheal properties that protect the gastrointestinal tract against a number of conditions. Likewise, the superfood’s anti-inflammatory properties are found to alleviate more serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Boswellia is also found to improve gum health.

Besides this, boswellia is touted to contain protective properties that ward off various liver ailments such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. On the other hand, the superfood is known to promote insulin production and regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. It is also beneficial in keeping excess weight at bay. Additionally, boswellia possesses strong cardioprotective properties that maintain heart health.

In addition, boswellia is found to reduce breast tissue density and induce cell death in human breast, bladder, and pancreatic cancel cells, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer cells, myeloid leukemia cells, neuroblastoma cells and meningioma. Aside from this, boswellia is shown to reduce brain swelling, relieve headache, and combat anxiety and depression.

Moreover, boswellia is touted for its protective effects on the immune system. The superfood antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties that fend off a host of infections. Boswellia is also shown to inhibit macrophage activation. Furthermore, oral intake of frankincense is associated with increased sperm motility and sperm density. This means that boswellia is a potent superfood against male infertility.

Body systems supported by boswellia

Boswellia is particularly effective in maintaining healthy bones and joints. Likewise, the superfood is helpful in promoting respiratory health. The superfood is also notably beneficial to both the digestive and nervous systems. In addition, boswellia supports the immune system and the male reproductive system.

Ways to use boswellia

Boswellia is the primary source of resin and frankincense oil. According to the Wellness Mama website, essential oils extracted from the tree are prized for their many health benefits. On the other hand, boswellia resin has been used in Asian and African folk medicine for centuries to address a number of inflammation-related illnesses. Boswellia resin usually comes in resin, pill or cream form.