Boswellia

Also known as Indian frankincense, boswellia is a natural Ayurvedic herbal extract. It is taken from the bark of the resinous Boswellia Serrata tree, which grows in the forests of western and central India.

The resin made from boswellia extract has been used for centuries in Asian and African traditional medicine. It contains boswellic acids, the primary active compound in boswellia. These boswellic acids give boswellia its strong medicinal and natural anti-inflammatory properties, allowing it to be an effective painkiller and ingredient in treating a number of inflammatory illnesses, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Boswellic acids help prevent and reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of leukotrienes, which are molecules that attack our joints and tissues, causing pain and inflammation.

Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is considered to be the most powerful boswellic acid and may determine the potency of a boswellic extract. Recent studies have shown that supplementing with boswellia can decrease knee pain, swelling and improvement in function. In another study, pain and physical function scores significantly improved in just 7 days after taking a boswellic acid supplement with 30% AKBA. Not only this, but a significant reduction in metalloproteinases found in synovial fluid. These enzymes would otherwise breakdown cartilage, collagen and connective tissue, causing havoc on our joints and mobility.