Boswellia, also called Indian frankincense, has a long history of use in Indian medicine for treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The University of Maryland Medical Center lists it as one of the suggested natural treatments for sciatica and other forms of back pain. It has demonstrated antiinflammatory effects, suggesting it might provide relief similar to that of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, which are often recommended for this condition. It appears a generally safe supplement. Talk to your doctor about the appropriateness of using boswellia for your sciatica.
Dose
Dose recommendations do not exist for sciatica specifically. Because boswellia is primarily used as a treatment to reduce pain and inflammation, however, its general dosing recommendations would likely apply to a variety of painful conditions, including sciatica. The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reports a suggested daily dose of 300 mg to 400 mg three times a day of a supplement that contains 37.5 percent boswellic acid. It notes some studies have used doses of 1,200 mg three times a day. Your doctor can suggest a proper dose for your needs.
Safety
Beth Israel notes trials using pharmaceutical-grade boswellia did not report any significant adverse reactions. These types of supplements, however, could differ considerably from over-the-counter supplements, which have much looser regulations regarding production. Anytime you start a new supplement, be on the lookout for unusual reactions.
Medication Interactions
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports boswellia has anticoagulant properties. Taking this medication at the same time as warfarin and other blood-thinning medications could increase the risk of bleeding. These types of medicines are dosed very specifically based on the individual and taking supplements that affect them even slightly could require adjustments in your dosage. Do not combine these treatments without talking to your doctor.
Other Considerations for Use
Due to lack of information regarding the safety of using this supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding, it is probably prudent to avoid it. If you have any conditions that affect liver or kidney function, always clear the use of any supplement with your doctor. Drugs.com reports boswellia does not have any documented contraindications -- instances where you should not use it -- but if you have any medical conditions, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor about whether or not a supplement poses any risks to your condition.
