Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by intestinal inflammation that usually involves the innermost lining of the colon or rectum. It causes abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea, sometimes severe enough to become debilitating. If you have colitis, you may experience periods of relative normalcy, followed by acute flareups during which you have pain and diarrhea. Boswellia is a traditional remedy that may help reduce the symptoms of colitis. Consult your doctor to determine if it is a good choice for your situation.
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of colitis is not well understood but might involve your body's reaction to pathogenic bacteria in your digestive system. When the immune system reacts to the harmful bacteria, it triggers an inflammatory response that leads to intestinal damage. In some cases, colitis may be caused by an autoimmune response in which your immune system attacks intestinal tissue even though no harmful micro-organism is present. Risk factors for colitis include a family history of the disorder and having used certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or isotretinoin, an anti-acne drug.
Boswellia
Boswellia is a tree native to regions in Asia that are hot and dry. Its resin, also called Indian frankincense, has been part of traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda, for thousands of years. The resin is recommended by practitioners for many disorders, especially those involving inflammation such as asthma, arthritis, rheumatism and intestinal problems. It contains a compound called boswellic acid, which has properties that make it potentially useful for reducing symptoms of colitis.
Properties
Boswellic acid inhibits an enzyme called 5-lipoxygenase that has a role in initiating inflammation. It also suppresses the activity of immune cells called macrophages that produce inflammatory compounds. In a clinical study published in the "European Journal of Medical Research" in 1997, subjects with colitis who consumed boswellia for six weeks experienced improvement of their colitis symptoms equal to that of subjects who took a prescription drug. These are promising findings, but larger clinical trials with boswellia are still needed.
Recommendations
Boswellia resin is available as a supplement in capsules from most health food stores. Although a recommended dose has not been established, a typical dosage is 900 mg daily in three divided doses. Boswellia is generally considered safe and without significant side effects. Do not take boswellia if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and discuss its use with your doctor before adding it to your regimen.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Ulcerative Colitis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Boswellia
- Drugs.com: Frankincense, Indian
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Ulcerative Colitis
- "European Journal of Medical Research"; Effects of Boswellia Serrata Gum Resin in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis; I. Gupta et al.; 1997
