Looking for natural ways to reduce inflammation? Boswellia serrata is your answer! Aka ‘nature’s steroid’, Boswellia serrata is so powerful that it’s considered nature’s answer to painkillers.
Unlike prescription or over-the-counter medications, Boswellia serrata has been safely used for thousands of years in folk medicine and doesn’t just mask the symptoms of your condition.1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22457547/
Let’s delve into what it is and how it can help you…
What is Boswellia serrata?
Boswellia is also known as Frankincense and there are over 20 species, all with numerous benefits to health.2https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22457547/ Boswellia serrata is a herbal extract derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree, which forms part of the Burseraceae plant family.
How can Boswellia serrata benefit you?
Boswellia serrata contains naturally-active compounds called boswellic acids, the chemical structures of which mirror steroids, hence the nickname ‘nature’s steroids’. Boswellic acids are believed to have many health benefits3https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22457547/4https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8877038/5https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30909313/ –
- Anti-inflammatory
- Prevents autoimmune conditions
- Reduces joint pain associated with arthritis
- Speeds up the healing of infections
- Regulates the immune system
- Modulates the gut microbiome
How does Boswellia serrata inhibit inflammation?
Research shows that Boswellia serrata inhibits leukotrienes, which are chemicals released by your body that trigger inflammation.6https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526114/7https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711307002917?via%3Dihub As a natural, potent anti-inflammatory, Boswellia serrata may help the following conditions8https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711307002917?via%3Dihub –
- Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis
- Asthma
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
How does Boswellia serrata modulate the immune system?
Long-term use of NSAID medications can have negative effects on your gut lining.9https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7426480/. It is important to maintain a healthy environment inside your gut as this is where 70% of your immune system is located!10https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33803407/
Not only is Boswellia serrata more gentle on your gut lining, but it also supports the function of the immune system in several ways11https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.232012https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24585-cytokines –
- Regulates the production of antibodies, like immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), which are typically found in your blood and lymph fluid. Antibodies protect your body from viral and bacterial infections.
- Modulates cytokine production – cytokines in excess can increase systemic inflammation.
- Regulates T-cells and lymphocytes (white blood cells), which constitute your immune system.
How do I take Boswellia serrata?
Boswellia serrata comes in several forms, tinctures are typically the strongest and the form that we recommend. We recommend 1 ml (15 – 20 drops) in 200 ml of water, 3 times daily. You can source Boswellia serrata here.
Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before starting supplements.
Read more about our other tinctures – Ashwagandha, Shatavari and Siberian Ginseng.
Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, we’re available on weekdays from 8am to 8pm.
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