Boswellia

Boswellia Serrata, also known as frankincense, has been found to be quite helpful in treating inflammation and pain, and it does this without causing ulcers like aspirin family medications. Boswellia has been demonstrated to have significant anti-inflammatory properties. Boswellia inhibits leukotriene synthesis by inhibiting 5-lipooxygenase activity. It also decreases the activity of human leukocyte elastase (HLE). Unique to boswellia is that it blocks two inflammatory chemicals that are increased simultaneously in a variety of human diseases. This results in its being helpful in asthma and colitis, as well as pain. Test tube studies suggest that boswellia also markedly inhibits cancer, and this is helpful as the risk of colon cancer is higher in inflammatory colitis.

Using the right form of boswellia is important to optimize benefit for two reasons:

• The amount of the active boswellic acids vary markedly, and it is important to use a brand that ensures high levels.
• The boswellic acids include both pro and anti-inflammatory forms. You want to be getting the latter.