What is Boswellia Serrata?

Reader Contribution by Kirsten Hudson
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<b>Q</b>: What is boswellia serrata?</p>
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<b>A</b>: A reader recently asked <i>The Herb Companion</i> about boswellia serrata. Having never heard of it before, (It looked like a made up word to me) I had to research to find out more. It turns out that this nonsense-word plant is actually very interesting.</p>
<p>Boswellia serrata is a medium-sized tropical tree with <a href=”http://www.boswelliaserrata.com/” target=”_blank”>ash-colored</a>, papery bark. It’s native to India and other tropical regions of Asia and Africa. When cut, the bark of boswellia yields a gummy resin, or tree sap, that is used for medicinal purposes. This resin, called gugul or salai, is related to <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/ancient-herbs-modern-uses-frankincense.aspx” target=”_blank”>frankincense</a>. It is taken from the frankincense shrub, which is a prime ingredient in incense and oils.</p>
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<p>The resin from boswellia has long been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine as a remedy for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, bursitis, diarrhea, dysentery, goiter, liver problems and rheumatism. Today, boswellia is used to help <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/qa-expert-answers-to-your-health-questions-50.aspx” target=”_blank”>reduce inflammation</a>, stiffness and joint pain. The resin contains <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/qa-expert-answers-to-your-health-questions-50.aspx” target=”_blank”>boswellic acids</a>, which work to reduce inflammation. Boswellia serrata resin can also help soothe pain caused by <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/body-care/powerful-herbal-pain-relief.aspx?page=2″ target=”_blank”>minor injuries</a> and is an effective remedy for the chronic pain associated with <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health/natural-healing-solving-the-pain-puzzle.aspx?page=2″ target=”_blank”>arthritis</a>.</p>
<p>Boswellia serrata and frankincense come in capsules, extracts and oils. Get boswellia capsules at <a href=”http://www.herbalremedies.com/” target=”_blank”>www.herbalremedies.com</a>; 120 capsules for $11.25.</p>
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<b>References</b>:</p>
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<i>Ancient Herbs and Modern Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to Medicinal Herbs, Human Ailments and Possible Herbal Remedies</i> by James Kedzie Sayre (Bottlebrush Press, 2001)</p>
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  • Published on Jun 17, 2009
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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