Arthritis is a common condition that affects the bones and joints. According to the U.K. National Health Service's website, NHS Choices, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common forms of this condition. Both are characterized by inflammation, stiffness and pain in the affected joints. Although there is no cure for arthritis, it can be controlled with prescription medicines such as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. The herb known as boswellia might also have anti-arthritic effects, although evidence to prove this is limited. Get medical advice before using this herb treat arthritis.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Also known as Indian frankincense, boswellia is used in traditional Indian medicine to treat a variety of ailments, particularly those characterized by inflammation such as ulcerative colitis, tendonitis, asthma and arthritis. Derived from the gum-like resin of the boswellia tree, its active ingredient, boswellic acid, works by inhibiting production of the inflammatory chemicals, cytokine TNF-a and the chemokine MCP-1, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Administration
Boswellia can be taken in capsules or tablets. According to Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, a typical dose for standardized boswellia extract is 300 mg to 400 mg taken three times daily. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center states that higher doses have been used to treat arthritis, i.e. 400 mg to 800 mg, three times daily. Bear in mind that these dosages are only intended as a guideline. Ask your doctor for further guidance.
Effectiveness
Conclusive evidence that boswellic acid is an effective arthritis treatment is lacking. However, some study findings show promise. For example, the results of the 32-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study published in the October 2004 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Rheumatology" show that boswellia helps improve symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. However, boswellia was combined with other herbs, including ginger and curcumin. Research findings published in the January 2003 issue of "Phytomedicine" also show that boswellia helps reduce and pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The authors add that it might also be of use in the treatment other forms of arthritis.
Safety Considerations
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that while boswellia has fewer adverse effects than prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, its long-term effects on humans are unclear. Mississippi Baptist Health Systems states that no serious side-effects have been reported, but adds that consuming crude boswellia gum might not be safe. Do not use this herb if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have a kidney or liver condition.
References
- NHS Choices: Arthritis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Boswellia
- Mississppi Baptist Health Systems: Boswellia
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- "Journal of Clinical Rheumatology"; A 32-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Evaluation of RA-11, an Ayurvedic Drug, on Osteoarthritis of the Knees; A. Chopra, et al.; October 2004
- "Phytomedicine"; Efficacy and Tolerability of Boswellia serrata Extract in Treatment of Osteoarthritis of Knee--A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial; N. Kimmatkar, et al.; January 2003
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