Ulcerative colitis is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the intestine. Symptoms may vary according to disease severity, but commonly include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and aching joints. There is no cure for ulcerative colitis, but anti-inflammatory drugs and immune system suppressors can help to keep symptoms at bay for long periods. Herbs such as boswellia may also help to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, although evidence to prove it is effective is limited. Don't take boswellia in place of your prescription treatments and talk to your doctor before using it.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Also known as Indian frankincense, boswellia is used in traditional Indian medicine to treat a number of ailments, including arthritis, asthma and inflammatory bowel disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, its main ingredient, boswellic acid, likely confers this herb's therapeutic effects and may work by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals.
Administration
Boswellia is a bitter-tasting resin that is usually taken in capsules. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking 550 mg of boswellia three times daily for up to six weeks may help to reduce ulcerative colitis-associated inflammation. However, this only a guideline. Check with your doctor that this dose is appropriate for you.
Effectiveness
Studies examining the role of boswellia in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are limited and findings are mixed. The results of an early study published in the January 1997 issue of the "European Journal of Medical Research" show that 82 percent of patients who took 350 mg of boswellia three times daily for six weeks went into disease remission, compared to 75 percent of patients that took the prescription anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine. Research published in the "American Journal of Physiology, Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology" in April 2005 found that boswellia does not ameliorate symptoms of colitis. However, the study was carried in a chemically-induced mouse model of ulcerative colitis, not in people with the condition.
Safety Considerations
The drug information website RxList states that boswellia seems to be safe for most people, but adds that it may cause side effects, including abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea. However, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center cautions that its long-term effects are unknown. Don't use boswellia if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Stop using boswellia and consult your doctor if you experience any unusual or ill effects while using this herb.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ulcerative Colitis
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Boswellia
- "European Journal of Medical Research"; Effects of Boswellia Serrata Gum Resin in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis; I. Gupta, et al.; January 1997
- "American Journal of Physiology, Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology"; Effects of Boswellia Serrata in Mouse Models of Chemically Induced Colitis; P.R. Kiela et al.; April 2005
- RxList: Indian Frankincense
