Boswellia

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How Boswellic Acids from Boswellia serrata plant are helpful for Prostate Health

Boswellia serrata or Indian Frankincense Tree has emerged as one of the potent anti-inflammatory herbs in modern times. The stem and branches yield a gum resin whose standardized extract is used in herbal supplement industry.

Indian Frankincense in Traditional Medicine:

This gum resin is traditionally known in Ayurvedic Medicine as Salai Guggul. Don’t get confused with the word Guggul as it is merely used to indicate its oleoresinous property. Guggul is another anti-inflammatory herb in Ayurveda.

Exactly speaking, in Traditional Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine, its anti-inflammatory property had not been fully utilized. After validating researches, its use has increased greatly in joints pain, breathing disorders, ulcerative colitis and fibrosis. Frankincense is a herb of Biblical fame, however, another species – Boswellia sacra is supposed to be one.

Boswellic Acids in Indian Frankincense:

Many phytonutrients are present in its gum resin – gums, terpenoids and essential oils. Boswellic Acids, the active ingredients of Frankincense, are the terpenoid part. Usually it is present in herbal supplements at 65% standardization ratio.

Boswellic Acids – The Emerging Plant Based Natural Inflammation Buster:

The ability of Boswellic acids counteract the effects of inflammation are well researched and comparable with many pain killer drugs. Leukotrienes are supposed to be the chemicals in body that mediate inflammation in several disorders like joints pain, colitis and asthma.

Boswellic acids have a significantly higher profile of safety in comparison to pain killer drugs, especially when you have to take them for a long duration in many chronic inflammatory disorders. It is safer and effective and doesn’t cause ulceration or irritation in stomach.

Prostate Health and Boswellia:

Some studies indicated positive role of Boswellic Acids for prostate health. It benefits on several fronts with its anti-inflammatory and properties in enlarged prostate (BPH), Prostatitis and Prostate Cancer.

Prostate Cancer is the second cause of death among men in USA. Many researchers are targeting to find further interventions for its effective management.

20% Boswellic acids showed to inhibit 5-LOX activity and it helped to reduce growth of cancerous cells and also caused death of cancerous cells.

5-LOX is present in abundance in Prostate cancer cells. Other researches also indicated that drugs that inhibit 5-LOX enzyme and reduce its production, can help to kill prostate cancer cells.

Cancer. 2001 Feb 15;91(4):737-43.
Int J Oncol. 2004 Apr;24(4):821-7.
Cancer Res 2008;68(4):1180–6

How Much Boswellia is taken as Supplement:

Many researches are done with 400 mg of Boswellic acids per day. If you take 65% of Boswellic Acid, you can take 300 mg of it twice a day. If it is standardized at lesser percentage of Boswellic Acids, you can then take more.

Is Boswellic Acid Safe?

Yes, it is used all over the world in herbal supplements. Some people might feel nausea or diarrhea. It is better to take it after meals. Data about is its use during pregnancy is not present.

Can Boswellic Acid replace cancer treatment for Prostate?

As mentioned earlier, cancer is still an incurable disease. Its standard management with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation is beneficial in some patients and not effective in others. Researchers constantly study and try to find newer methods of management and treatment.

Studies indicate that it is helpful. Boswellic Acids is not a treatment or natural remedy for prostate cancer. Yes, you could benefit with Boswellia by taking it as a supportive supplement, after consultation with a qualified herbalist and your doctor.

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