How Boswellia - Frankincense Can Be Used In Medicine

Other Common Names: Olibanum, Frankincense, Salai guggal, Boswellia serrata

Boswellia, from the Boswellia serrata tree, is found primarily in India. The Boswellia tree is a balsamic tree that secretes aromatic oleoresins which are collected, when they dry, into a gum, after exuding from cuts in the bark. In the ancient Ayurvedic medical texts of India, the gummy exudate from boswellia is grouped with other gum resins and referred to collectively as guggals.

The gum-resin is reported to possess, sedative and marked analgesic activity. The defatted extract of the gum exudate (oleo-gum-resin) was found to possess marked anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity against adjuvant arthritis in experimental animals and was free from toxicity or any other side effects. It was also shown to possess marked cholesterol and triglyceride lowering activity. Clinical trials on rheumatic patients have shown promising results. Boswellic acids isolated from the gum resin inhibit, in a concentration dependent manner, 5-lipoxygenase product formation with an IC50 of 1.5 ?M. Chronic toxicity studies in healthy monkeys revealed that the drug was devoid of bio-chemical, hematological and other toxicities.

The gum is credited with astringent, stimulant, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic, antipuretic, stomachic emmenagogue, ecbolic and antiseptic properties. It is reported to be useful in ulcers, tumours, goitre, cystic breast, diarrhea, dysentery, piles, asthma, bronchitis, chronic laryngitis, jaundice, syphilitic and skin diseases. It is used in the preparation of an ointment for sores and is used with butter in syphilis. The gum-resin is astringent, anti-pyretic, antidysentry, expectorant, diaphosetic, diuretic, stomachic, emmenagogue. It is useful in fevers, diaphoresis, convulsions, dysentery, urethrorrhea, orchiopathy, bronchitis, asthma, cough, stomatitis, syphilitic diseases, chronic laryngitis, jaundice and arthritis.

Boswellic acids are effective anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents, for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, and low back pain. They also help control excessively high blood lipids and atherosclerosis, and protect the liver against bacterial galactosamine-endotoxins. The non-acid part of the gum has pain-relieving and sedative qualities, and in high doses can lower blood pressure, and reduce heart rate in dogs but increase it in frogs. Observed benefits of Boswellia include reduction in joint swelling, increased mobility, steroid sparing action (less steroids required in combined treatment), less morning stiffness, improved grip strength, and general improvement in quality of life, for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

- Pachnanda et al., Ind. J. Pharmacol., 1981;13: 63.
- The Wealth of Asia, P.I.D.,C.S.I.R., 1996, New Delhi.

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