Boswellia’s anti-inflammatory properties could help seniors suffering from joint pains, but you should consult your doctor before starting on any supplement. — 123rf
In the two previous columns, we have summarised the known benefits of Boswellia, various (limited) scientific studies into Boswellia, and we now have a better understanding of the obstacles against the more widespread adoption of Boswellia for therapeutic use.
Despite these numerous hurdles, it appears that interest in Boswellia serrata is rising inexorably, driven by growing consumer demand for natural health solutions and increasing concerns about the side effects and costs of conventional pharmaceuticals. The future of Boswellia seems to be increasingly bright, and it is feasible that it may one day be positioned as a valuable tool in “crossover” treatments which can integrate both modern and ancient compounds/therapies.
For signs of the potential new future for Boswellia, we can review several current trajectories of developments for boswellic acids. Some key areas of focus for its future include:
• Better delivery systems: Researchers are actively exploring and developing more effective delivery systems, such as liposomes, phytosomes, and nanoemulsions, to increase the bioavailability of boswellic acids, which could lead to stronger effects with lower doses.
• Combination therapies: Research is focusing on combining Boswellia with other botanicals, such as curcumin, piperine, soy lecithin, etc, to enhance efficacy through synergistic effects.
• Detailed mechanistic studies: Further research is needed to fully uncover its diverse therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action, especially for less-researched areas like neurological conditions and cancer. This means more large-scale double-blind research using larger study populations.
• Reverse pharmacology: The integration of traditional knowledge with modern research methods, known as “reverse pharmacology,” is gaining acceptance. This approach uses traditional applications as starting points for rigorous clinical research, potentially accelerating the development process for natural products.
• Standardised extracts: Continued efforts to produce more consistent, potent standardised extracts are crucial to satisfy regulatory requirements and build confidence among healthcare providers.
As our understanding of inflammation’s central role in chronic diseases deepens, the multi-target approach of compounds like boswellic acids becomes increasingly attractive. This perspective may eventually compel the medical community to be more receptive to proven natural anti-inflammatory compounds, especially those which have minimal side effects and are economically available to everyone.
Boswellia’s benefits to ageing population
It is implausible to assume that living on a warming planet increasingly polluted by bad foods, indeterminate chemical toxins, air pollutants, microplastics, etc, is not causing or aggravating inflammatory diseases in humans.
Approximately 35% of all adults in the US currently have systemic chronic inflammation, according to a study published in Frontiers In Medicine. Even among seemingly healthy US individuals, about 15% are found to be suffering from chronic inflammation.
And chronic inflammation is a significant contributor to over 50% of deaths worldwide, linked to conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other outcomes of metabolic syndrome.
Despite the overwhelming evidence that chronic inflammation is a major and growing global health issue, seemingly little has been done to stem the rise of diseases caused by inflammation.
Mostly, Western medical resources are focused on treating the symptoms and diseases caused by inflammation, rather than treating the underlying inflammation.
But without treating inflammation, more and more people will simply get sicker, and be even more reliant on a wider and wider range of (usually expensive) medications.
This ties in well with the modern pharmaceutical approach of single-molecule medications for individual targeted maladies. It is extremely profitable and simpler than having to understand the holistic nature or underlying background of diseases caused by inflammation.
Here is a simple analogy: Not treating inflammation is like ignoring a tiny drip from your house ceiling.
You can use buckets to contain the leak, but after a while, the damp causes a wet mould problem. So now you have to wear face masks as well as repaint the room.
And then the water causes the roof support beam to rot, so eventually you need support beams and cannot walk around the house anymore.
Eventually it is a matter of time before the house collapses.
In short, ignoring inflammation, and treating individual health issues caused by inflammation only as and when they arise, is not likely to end up with any good outcomes.
With such a growing pandemic of chronic inflammation, especially in the developed world, it may soon be a good time to reflect on the potential of combining ancient compounds and new therapies to treat modern diseases, especially those related to inflammation.
Inflammation can happen to humans at any age, but it is usually particularly more worrisome for older people.
One reason is that their tissues have been exposed to the condition for a longer time, which can exacerbate wear and tear.
In addition, older bodies are less able to control inflammation compared to younger ones, and this inflammation can trigger harmful abnormal immune system responses, potentially leading to common conditions such as arthritis.
Boswellia serrata offers a multitude of potential benefits for both an ageing population and the general public, primarily due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties and unique mechanism of action in various parts of the body.
For the ageing population, Boswellia holds particular promise in managing conditions that commonly affect older adults:
• Arthritis and joint health: With osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being prevalent among the elderly, Boswellia’s proven ability to reduce pain, stiffness, and improve joint function offers a gentler alternative to NSAIDs, which can cause significant gastrointestinal side effects in long-term use. This can significantly enhance quality of life and mobility.
Boswellia holds particular promise for the ageing population. Photo: TRISTAN LE/Pexels
• Brain health and neuroprotection: Given the rising incidence of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Boswellia’s potential to reduce neuroinflammation and protect brain cells is highly relevant. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier further enhances its potential in this area.
• Chronic inflammation management: As chronic, low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of ageing and contributes to numerous age-related diseases, Boswellia’s broad anti-inflammatory effects can help mitigate systemic inflammation.
For the general population, Boswellia serrata can contribute to overall well-being and preventative health:
• Gentler anti-inflammatory option: It offers a natural, often gentler, alternative for managing everyday aches, pains, and inflammatory responses without the typical gastrointestinal side effects associated with conventional drugs.
• Respiratory health: For individuals with asthma or other respiratory issues, Boswellia can help ease symptoms by reducing airway inflammation.
• Gut health: Its selective reduction of gut inflammation makes it a promising support for those dealing with inflammatory bowel conditions, offering safe and gentle relief without broad immune suppression.
• Immune modulation: By modulating the immune system, Boswellia may enhance the body’s defence mechanisms against infections and diseases.
• Proactive health: As a natural anti-inflammatory, it aligns with a holistic approach to managing chronic conditions and promoting overall wellness, potentially reducing reliance on synthetic medications.
As an aside, the earliest written reference to Boswellia is in the “Papyrus Ebers”, an ancient Egyptian medical document dating back to around 1,550 BC.
The papyrus is about 20m long and about 30cm wide. It was written in an ancient Egyptian cursive script called hieratic and covers topics such as heart issues, respiratory diseases, diabetes, skin conditions, mental disorders, contraception, pregnancy diagnosis, parasites, and surgical treatments.
After that, Boswellia is mentioned again in classical Ayurvedic texts such as the Charaka Samhita (circa 700 BC) where the anti-rheumatic, anti-arthritis, and anti-inflammatory properties of the resin were specifically described.
In conclusion, Boswellia serrata appears to be far more than an exotic resin from forgotten temples.
It represents a botanical with a profound cultural history, a complex and fascinating chemical profile, and tangible therapeutic potential.
From easing arthritic pain to calming inflammatory pathways, its effects are significant yet subtle.
And although it has been known for thousands of years, it still took days of dedicated research to dig up the fascinating history and verifiable (as far as possible) properties of Boswellia.
While it may not eclipse certain faster-acting pharmaceuticals, Boswellia can offer a gentler, natural, often safer ally against inflammation, and the benefits are increasingly supported by robust scientific studies.
As modern research continues to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary science, Boswellia serrata may be poised to reclaim its rightful place as a cornerstone of natural healing, enriching and potentially enhancing modern medicine with an ancient natural remedy.
However, there is a caveat. Not all of the claimed benefits of Boswellia have been validated by large scale rigorous scientific research, mainly because such expensive studies have not been done.
This is especially true about the claims against cancers.
Regardless, the consistency of the anecdotal outcomes of using Boswellia (especially against ailments caused by inflammation) has been impressive over thousands of years and may indicate a therapeutic pedigree which is largely absent in many modern medications.
This column shares research findings for public interest. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting supplements. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.
