• Introduction
  • Benefits
  • Related Products
  • FAQs
Boswellia illustration

Boswellia (Shallaki) is a sacred plant widely used in traditional medicine and is considered an essential part of Ayurvedic medicine. The oleo gum resin extracted from this plant has various medicinal properties. It reduces swelling as well as stiffness in the inflamed joints due to its anti-inflammatory property.

What are the synonyms of Amla?

Boswellia is also known as Boswellia Serrata, Kundur, Salai, Dhup, Gugali, Chitta, Guguladhuph, Parangi, Sambrani.

Benefits of Boswellia

1. Manages Osteoarthritis

Boswellia extract is useful in managing pain in osteoarthritis. It helps reduce pain, fights knee-joint disorders, and help patients deal better with osteoarthritis.

According to Ayurveda, osteoarthritis occurs due to an aggravation of Vata dosha and is known as Sandhivata. It causes pain, swelling, and joint immobility. Boswellia has Vata balancing property and relieves pain and swelling in the joints associated with osteoarthritis.

2. Manages Rheumatoid Arthritis

Boswellia can manage the symptoms of arthritis, as it contains individual constituents with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These constituents inhibit the activity of an inflammatory protein responsible for causing inflammation. This helps manage joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is known as Aamavata in Ayurveda. In this, Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) gets accumulated in joints instead of being absorbed when carried to different locations through Vata. Boswellia has Vata balancing property and also helps to reduce Ama. This gives relief from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis-like pain and swelling in the joints.

3. Manages Asthma

Boswellia can play a role in reducing leukotrienes, which causes bronchial muscles to contract. The herb could play an essential role in treating bronchial asthma. It has favorable immune-balancing properties of Boswellia that can help prevent environmental allergens that happen in asthma.

According to Ayurveda, the vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with the deranged ‘Kapha dosha’ in the lungs, causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in difficulty in breathing. This condition is known as Swas Roga (asthma). Boswellia helps to remove excess mucus from the lungs and gives relief from the symptoms of asthma. This is because of its Vata and Kapha balancing properties.

4. Manages Ulcerative Colitis

The herb has anti-inflammatory properties that may effectively treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC).

Ulcerative Colitis is caused by an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Boswellia helps correct its symptoms because of its Grahi (absorbent) and Sita (cold) properties. This helps to thicken the stool and also stops bleeding in the stool.

FAQs

Is Boswellia good for joint health?

Boswellia is good for the joints. Studies indicate that Boswellia helps reduce pain, manages knee-joint disorders, and help patients with osteoarthritis.

In fact, Boswellia is useful for all joint related problems when used for one to two months. This is because of its Vata balancing property.

Can Boswellia be used in arthritis?

Yes, Boswellia can manage the symptoms of arthritis, as it contains individual constituents with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These constituents inhibit the activity of an inflammatory protein responsible for causing inflammation. This helps manage joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

In ayurvedic view, Boswellia is an effective remedy to control arthritis-like pain symptoms because of its Vata balancing nature and thus reduces the pain and improves joints’ function.

Does Boswellia help reduce joint pain?

Yes, Boswellia has pain relieving properties. It has certain constituents that inhibit inflammation and pain, thereby managing the pain aroused from inflammation.

Boswellia resin gives relief in pain (especially joint pain) because of its Vata balancing nature. According to Ayurveda, all types of pain are caused by aggravated Vata. Boswellia helps to pacify Vata and reduces the pain associated with swelling.

How does Boswellia prevent autoimmune disease?

Boswellia might help manage autoimmune disease due to its antioxidant property. The antioxidants present in Boswellia fight against the free radicals, which are responsible for causing cell damage. This helps in improving the immune response of the body.

Does Boswellia help in healing wounds?

Yes, Boswellia helps in healing wounds due to its fast healing property. It contains individual constituents which help in wound contraction and closure. It also helps in collagen synthesis (which provides strength to wounds) and forms new skin cells, promoting faster wound healing.

According to ayurveda, Boswellia helps in quick healing of wounds when applied to the affected area because of its Ropan (healing) property.

Can Boswellia cause dizziness?

No, Shallaki, when used in the recommended dosage, does not cause dizziness.

Is Boswellia good for the skin?

Yes, Boswellia helps to control the signs of aging due to its Snigdha (oily) nature.

References
  • Siddiqui MZ.Boswellia serrata, a potential anti-inflammatory agent: An overview.Indian J Pharm Sci, 2011,73(3):255-261.
  • WebMD.Holy Indian-frankincense: Uses, Side effects, Doses, Interactions [Internet].Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
  • Cantanzaro D, Rancan S, Orso G, et al. Boswellia serrata Preserves Intestinal Epithelial Barrier from Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage. PLOS one. 2015;10(5):2015.
  • Ghodela NK, Prasad P, Kumar V, et al. Wound healing potential of gums and oleo gums resins: A brief review. GJRMI. 2017;6(6):89-94.
  • Yassin Nermat AZ, El-Shenawy SMA, Mahdy KA, et al. Effect of Boswellia Serrata on Alzheimer’s disease induced in rats. Journal of the Arab society for medical research. DOI: 10.7123/01.JASMR.0000429323.25743.cc
  • Upaganlawar A, Ghule B. Pharmacological activities of Boswellia Serrata Roxb. – Mini Review. Ethnobotanical leaflets. 2009;13:766-774.
  • Baghelli D, Isani G, Roncada P, et al. Antioxidant and Ex Vivo Immune System Regulatory Properties of Boswellia serrata extracts. Oxid med cell longev. 2017;http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/7468064
  • Ammon HPT. Modulation of the immune system by Boswellia serrata extracts and boswellic acids. Phytomedicine.2010;17(11):862-867.
  • Sharma A, Bhatia S, Kharya MD, et al. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of different fractions of Boswellia serrata. International journal of Phytomedicine .2010;2:94-99.
  • Triantafyllidi A, Xanthos T, Papolois A, et al. Herbal and plant therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Ann Gastroenterol.2015; 28(2):210-220.
  • https://www.healthline.com/health/boswellia
Disclaimer

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on Foresta Organics. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your healthcare plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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