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Supplement Guide: Indian Frankincense

[Frankincense, Boswellia, Boswellin, Salai Guggal] Boswellia serrata

Origin: Gum resin from the bark of the Boswellia tree found in India.

Dosage: Capsule or pill; typically 300 mg to 400 mg three times per day. Look for products with 60-percent boswellic acids, the active ingredient.

Claims: Reduces inflammation and treats rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and bursitis symptoms. Indian frankincense may treat symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

What we know: May have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties but evidence is limited and effects are inconsistent.

Studies: In a 2004 study, Indian frankincense was tested as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Researchers recruited 30 people with knee osteoarthritis and gave half the group a daily supplement containing 333 mg of Indian frankincense; others got placebo. People who took Indian frankincense reported less knee pain, better mobility and an ability to walk longer distances than those taking placebo.

Steve

31 Jul 2010, 08:56

I started taking this supplement early this year and have been extremely well pleased at the reduction in pain in my fingers.
It took about six weeks before I noticed a significant decrease in pain.

Nancy

21 Mar 2010, 19:06

I have been using this for years. First I used just boswellia, then I moved to a complex with tumeric and other ingredients. It is quite effective for my back pain. I seem to have no side effects from this. I take 1200/mg/day.

Zzeon

11 Feb 2010, 21:03

I have used this for years to treat arthritis in my fingers. It does take about a week to be effective, and I suffer in the winter months, and so have it available to ease / "really eliminate" the pain in my left index finger.

My father also faces pain, and I have created a hand cream, that is easy to apply, and as long as it is "slightly sticky" (which rubs off in a minute and feels "soft" and like a powder), it appears the amount needed is good.

I do not ingest it, although Saudi people buy the best frankinsense and chew it as gum.

I find it remarkable, and at 57, have a need to only use it in the winter months.

I have found that it's results will dissapate over time, and pain returns, but leaves again within about 7 days.

I extract my own using a process I created about 10 years ago. I originally was extracting for incense, but found my finger lost all pain and I was able to play guitar again while rolling out incense sticks.

Very interesting, and very helpful.

Mark

randolph

01 Jun 2009, 14:32

I read about it in the daily mail in july or august 2008. I had tried all remedies before and this was the chance with all the pain in my wrist and fingers like a hot poker boring in.After searching the net I found dennis the chemist .com and ordered the cheap and expensive types after 7 days i noticed an improvement and after no pain. I took the tablets for three months and stopped taking them while I was on holiday. To date I have not had a recurrence of the pain. I also recommended it to a friend on holiday and has also noticed an improvement.My partner is also taking them for her bad back and has noticed an improvement.Try it you cant loose.The only difference between the cheap and expensive one is a slight taste of the capsule. Holland and Barret sell them but more expensive.

Francine

20 May 2009, 02:29

Would this be good for spinal stenosis?

iris

30 Mar 2009, 13:09

I have tried and my knee mobility has improved, I have not pain in my knees.
It took me like one month, but the results are really good.

Iris

brenda

18 Feb 2009, 11:38

This supplement looks so promising. Has anyone tried it? Does it work?

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Supplement Guide: Indian Frankincense

Supplement Guide: Indian Frankincense

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