[[File:Boswellia serrata.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Boswellia serrata]]Other Names: Indian Frankincense,Arbre à Encens, Arbre à Oliban Indien, Boswella, Boswellia, Boswellia serrata, Boswellie, Boswellin, Boswellin Serrata serrata Resin, Encens Indien, Franquincienso, Gajabhakshya, Indian Olibanum, Oliban Indien, Resina Boswelliae, Ru Xiang, Salai Guggal, Salai Guggul, Sallaki Guggul, Shallaki.<br>See also : [[Frankincense]]<br>
Indian frankincense is a tree that is native to India and Arabia. It is commonly used in the traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda.Olibanum is another word for frankincense. It refers to a resin or “sap” that seeps from openings in the bark of several Boswellia species, including Boswellia serrata, Boswellia carterii, and Boswellia frereana. Of these, Boswellia serrata is most commonly used for medicine.
==Special Precautions of Boswellia==
*Indian frankincense usually doesn’t cause important side effectsAs with any drug or supplement, there is always a chance of an allergic reaction. HoweverBoswellia should be avoided by anyone who has a known allergy to boswellia or other plants in the Burseraceae family. Side effects with boswellia are considered rare, but some people who took it reported stomach possible side effects include: Abdominal pain, nauseaBreathing problems, and diarrheaChest pain, Diarrhea, Heartburn, Nausea, Skin irritation (hives, rashes, itchiness). When applied to the skin, it can cause allergic rash.*Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Indian frankincense Boswellia is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts commonly found in foods. But don’t use it in the larger amounts needed not recommended for medicinal effects. Not enough is known about the safety of using Indian frankincense in these amounts use during pregnancy or breastwhile breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant and you have taken boswellia.* Boswellia may decrease the effectiveness of non-feedingsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin.This herb may interact with: Antibiotics, Fat-soluble drugs, Immunomodulators , Sedatives* Boswellia may have interactions with other herbs or supplements, including:**Anticancer supplements (such as mistletoe, Viscum album)**Supplements used to lower cholesterol (such as garlic, Allium sativum, or red yeast)**Antifungals (such as tea tree oil, Melaleuca alternifolia)**Supplements used to treat joints (such as glucosamine and chondroitin)
==The benefits of Boswellia are==
One of the most widely used herbs in Indian medicine, it has been used for centuries by traditional Indian healers to reduce pain and inflammation. Hundreds of studies have been done proving it's effectiveness and in addition to being a powerful and safe, natural anti-inflammatory, Boswellia has also been shown to support healthy blood circulation.Boswellia was found to work by blocking the production of 5-LOX in the body : an enzyme that creates a cascade of inflammatory processes in your body that are connected with a variety of diseases commonly associated with aging. Controlled trial studies have found that a potent boswellia extract called 3-acetyl-11-keto-betaboswellic acid (AKBA) provides relief from :
*to "cleanse" the arteries,
*reverse arteriosclerosis
*raise HDL cholesterol levels as much as 30% while lowering total cholesterol by 45%. *Cancer : ability to cause cancer cells to commit suicide, thus preventing malignant cell growth, replication, and metastases.* Leukemia : Four major triterpene acids including beta-boswellic acid inhibited the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in human leukemia HL-60 cells in a dose dependent manner.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]