Joint pain is a common issue that plagues people of all ages. It’s true, we wrote a whole post on it!
Now, there are certainly many popular medications available to help ease joint pain. Though, if you are one of the growing number of people seeking out natural alternatives to these medications, perhaps you’ve heard of Boswellia. It’s a popular component in natural joint pain remedies.
Boswellia is making a name for itself with its anti-inflammatory properties. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? In this blog post, we'll look at what Boswellia is and how it may be able to help ease your joint pain.
What is Boswellia?
Boswellia is an herb that has been used in medicine throughout history. It is derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree, which is typically found in India. People also use it as incense during religious ceremonies. In fact, it's commonly known as "Indian frankincense".
The main chemical component in Boswellia resin is called acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA). AKBA has anti-inflammatory properties and is thought to be responsible for most of the health benefits associated with Boswellia.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “(AKBA) blocks an enzyme called 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) that breaks down polyunsaturated fatty acids in foods into leukotrienes, inflammatory molecules that attack joints and other tissues.”
Health Benefits of Boswellia
There is evidence to suggest that Boswellia offers a number of health benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the studies that have been done, and the health benefits they showed evidence of:
- One study showed that Boswellia may help relieve joint pain. It was able to significantly reduce knee pain in people with osteoarthritis. 48 patients took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The trial revealed that “treatment significantly improved the physical function of the patients by reducing pain and stiffness compared with placebo.”
- The same study suggested Boswellia may help reduce inflammation throughout the body
- There's some evidence to suggest that Boswellia may boost immune function. One study showed that it was able to increase immunity in people with Crohn's disease.
Possible Side Effects of Boswellia
Boswellia is generally considered safe for most people when taken by mouth for up to 12 weeks. However, it can cause some side effects including:
- stomach upset
- diarrhea
- constipation
Additionally, it may thin your blood. Thus, as with all supplements, you should speak with your doctor before taking Boswellia.
Interested in Boswellia for Joint Pain?
If you're looking for a natural way to ease your joint pain, you may want to try Boswellia. It is an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and is thought to offer a number of health benefits including reducing joint pain and inflammation throughout the body. While Boswellia is generally considered safe, it can cause some side effects, so be sure to speak with your doctor before trying it out.
AlchemLife offers supplements that efficiently utilize Boswellia to reduce joint pain. Check out our FlexiQule and FlexiQule MAX products and order today!