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People with arthritis are caught between a rock and a hard place. If they find a medication that alleviates pain, they may discover that it has unacceptable side effects. Popular NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen, for example, raise blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. They also irritate the digestive tract and can cause ulcers. No wonder people can get excited when they learn that boswellia fights pain!
Boswellia Effects and Side Effects:
Q. I take a number of medications for arthritis. I have had a hip replacement and a shoulder replacement and I am fighting to keep my left knee. I take Nexium and Celebrex plus other meds.
A few months ago I read an article about boswellia and decided to give it a try. I can’t tell you how wonderful this was. I had no pain!
Then I started to have a bad throat irritation. I went to the ENT, who told me that I was OK, to try a gastro. My gastro did an endoscopy, and couldn’t find a thing (except for an irritated throat), but diagnosed me with gastritis and told me to take an antacid as well as the Nexium.
I started to play with my meds, eliminating one at a time to check for side effects. Boswellia was the culprit, much to my dismay. I have been without the boswellia for about 10 days. My throat discomfort has almost gone, but the joint pain is back. I have tried gin-soaked raisins, pineapple, and vinegar, but boswellia fights pain better than any other remedy for me. Is there a way I could continue to take it without feeling sick?
The Straight and Skinny on Boswellia:
A. The Indian herb Boswellia has anti-inflammatory activity but can cause heartburn for some. This may account for your throat irritation. You probably won’t be able to take it without suffering, though the esomeprazole (Nexium) should have helped a bit in counteracting the discomfort.
If you have ever read the Bible, you know a bit more about boswellia than you think. The resin from this plant is frankincense. It was considered so valuable it was part of the gifts of the Magi (the “three wise men”), which also included myrrh and gold.
The boswellia that you will find in health food stores is known as Indian frankincense or Boswellia serrata. Ayurvedic medical practitioners have used various parts of the boswellia plant to treat a variety of conditions including asthma, dysentery, osteoarthritis, ulcers and skin problems.
Boswellia for arthritis:
The independent and highly regarded Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analyzed the data on boswellia for osteoarthritis. Here is the bottom line:
“Five studies of three different extracts from Boswellia serrata were included. High-quality evidence from two studies (85 participants) indicated that 90 days treatment with 100 mg of enriched Boswellia serrata extract improved symptoms compared to placebo…The studies reported no serious adverse events.”
A review of the data from numerous clinical trials in the journal BMJ (online, Dec. 17, 2008) also concluded:
“Collectively, these data seem to indicate that B serrata extracts are effective in treating a range of conditions caused or maintained by inflammatory processes.”
When this overview was published, however, the authors concluded that more research was necessary before assuming that boswellia would be clinically effective.
A small Italian study found that boswellia extract (FlexiQule) was effective in reducing pain, stiffness and improving walking distance without pain (Minerva Gastroenterologica e Diatelogica, online, Oct 22, 2015).
Combinations Containing Boswellia:
A formulation that combined curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) and boswellia [CB] was compared to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) celecoxib (Celebrex). In this small study published in Molecular Medicine Reports (Nov., 2013) the authors concluded:
“The treatment was well tolerated and did not produce any adverse effect in patients, as judged by the vital signs, hemogram, liver and renal function tests. The CB [curcumin-boswellia] formulation at 500 mg administered twice a day, was more successful than administering celecoxib 100 mg twice a day for symptom scoring and clinical examination. The formulation was found to be safe and no dose-related toxicity was found.”
Another study of 54 people with osteoarthritis had no comparative arm, so cannot be considered scientifically strong. The investigators found, however, that a combination (Movardol) of ginger, Boswellia serrata and n-acetylglucosamine improved function and pain-free walking distance (Bolognesi et al, European Review of Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, Dec. 2016). As in other studies, they reported that these herbs are safe and that the subjects had no major complaints.
Boswellia Side Effects:
As you discovered, however, boswellia may trigger side effects. This compound may cause reflux and symptoms of heartburn. Some people lose their appetite as a result.
There is one case in the medical literature of a woman who ended up with a bezoar in her stomach. This is like a hair ball in a cat. Fiber and other material accumulate within the stomach or small intestine. She also had celiac disease, so it is hard to determine how likely this complication might be for those without celiac disease.
Boswellia should not be used during pregnancy. It may also interact with some prescription drugs.
Alternatives to Fight Pain:
Since you cannot tolerate boswellia, even though it was so helpful against arthritis symptoms, we would like to suggest our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies. In addition to boswellia, we discuss how people use bee stings to soothe painful joints. Cayenne, Certo and grape juice, cherries and turmeric all have anti-inflammatory benefits. Vitamin D, fish oil, gin-soaked raisins, pineapple juice, honey and vinegar or soap (yes, soap!) are other alternatives that can fight pain and probably won’t cause you heartburn.
If you prefer an online resource, consider our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. It devotes more than 50 pages to the pros and cons of various treatments for joint pain.
Revised 6/22/2017
Sammmy
There is a study that AKBA inhibits COX-1, similar to aspirin and ibuprofen. If that is correct, and the inhibition is with the same potency, it will have similar gastric side effects as the drugs.
The study is from 2008: “Identification and functional analysis of cyclooxygenase-1 as a molecular target of boswellic acids”.
Terry Graedon
Here’s the link to the abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17945191/
Boswellia has a number of activities: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027979/
Amanda
Seattle
Boswellia is the Only thing that takes my SI joint pain away. High dose curcumin, ginger, devil’s claw, and essential fatty acids do not work on their own for me but adjuncted with boswellia are an absolute miracle and take my pain from a level 8 to 2. I am able to do the exercise to rehab the area.
However, my digestion has not been the same since starting it and only after discontinuing it does it go back to normal (with pain coming back up). So I am learning to live with the side effects. For me: indigestion, feeling of fullness, occasional stomach pain and sluggish bowel. No, other changes do not appear to help (diet additions or avoidances, probiotics,etc.) On digestive enzymes for now. I can’t live without boswellia. I will add that I’m an RN with a background in nutrition science.
Young K
Nairobi,Kenya
I read articles and comments. Where can I purchase this Boswellia?
I really want to buy for my wife who has serious symptom her knee.
Please advise.
Kim
Los Angeles, CA
I have been taking Boswellia for several months, and it has taken my very bad arthritis pain away. I also add a little Turmeric. But the Boswellia on its own is great. I have had zero side effects, and I take other supplements for other conditions. However, I do not take any prescription medications and refuse to do so. That stuff will kill you eventually with all the long-term side effects and damage they do to your body. I have used natural medicine for the last 30 years. I have had far more success with natural medicine, and zero success with prescription drugs.
Birgit
VA
Where do you purchase your boswellia from? I was hoping for a natural product. Thank you.
William F. W
My osteoarthritis has kicked up a notch, so I went online to see just how much more I could take of my antiinflammatories: boswellia, turmeric etc. I found very little information on maximum doses. Maybe the max doses on the labels take into consideration the side effects, and minimizing them. But I almost never get any side effects from anything, and surely the label has a sort of safety factor built in, so I think I could take more than the label recommends – but I don’t want to do anything stupid. I did order your book. What to do?
John
18812
Stomach and throat irritation can be abated with a couple of ways. We use the essential oil rather than raw frankincense or caps (We are always suspect of “standardized” powders and the “fillers” most add). Make sure it is certified for internal use. I put two drops under my tongue and let it absorb before I eat/drink anything.
My Wife prefers it in tea in which she has added a bit of coconut oil to trap the oil and hasn’t noticed any gastric problems. We started with 1 drop morning and evening and now use 2 drops morning and evening.
Zongle Therapeutics is an excellent economical brand available on Amazon. It is USDA Certified Organic and Certified pure therapeutic grade essential oil safe for ingestion. We really need to be careful of where we obtain oils on the internet. To many cheats and contaminants out there.
Doreen
Palm Beach Gardens
How common is bezoar when taking Boswellia? I have celiac and now concerned. Does taking bromilain with Boswellia help with inflammation. I want to get off NSAIDs.
Terry Graedon
With just one case in the medical literature, we doubt it is common at all. But we don’t know how the celiac disease may have contributed to this woman’s problem or to your own risk.
Robert
One case in the literature justifies an article of warning?
Carla
Nyc
Great info, thanks!
Elma
Oakland, CA
I started taking a Truejoint FLX for my knee.. After taking it for about a week, I started noticing I had no sense of taste. Would boswellia, which has 100mg in it, have anything to do with that?
Malcolm
Curcumin. I am 71 and have been taking Glucosamine & Chondroitin for almost 20 years to good effect and have had to increase the dosage from time to time to where I was taking 3 grams a day. I started putting 95% curcumin on my food – about half to 3/4 tsp a day and within a week noticed that the peripheral pains and stiffnesses were abating. After a couple of months I reduced the G&C and again a month later. I am back to 1 gram and feel fine. When I started on the G&C i was walking with a cane and riding the carts at the grocery store. I stride now and only occasionally feel a twinge in a toe or my hand.
Robert
VA
Where does one purchase 95% curcumin?
John
18812
Amazon is a good source, read reviews for each offering.
Linda G
W. Montana
I have recently started using grape juice with pectin for my arthritis pain, assuming that pectin is an acceptable substitute for Certo (mainly I did this because the powdered pectin is easier to use than the liquid Certo). Whatever, the pectin seems to work for me.
Van
Colorado
I have been using boswellia now for some time as a replacement for the NSAIDs that I used to take every day. If there is a problem with tolerating it, I would suggest trying Bromelain. When I was researching trying to find a natural replacement for the NSAIDs these two both showed evidence of good anti-inflammatory effects.
Dana
Kittery
I develop bad heartburn in my late 50s. I started taking a little piece of ginger, raw ginger three times a day. Just by chewing the ginger and swallowing it, after a few days my heartburn went away. No I chew about one piece of ginger a day to keep the heartburn away.
Dr Ranjit Bhardwaj
Germany
I would suggest Cannabis preparation by a medical who prescribes medicinal cannabis.
MiserableOldFart
I used boswellia for joint pain in my hands, which had been bothering me for a number of years. I took it for a few months and the hand pain went away, but I too started getting heartburn and acid reflux. It was less effective on back and neck pain, but helped. Anyway, I stopped taking it and for some unexplained reason the hand pain never came back! Should it return I’ll try boswellia again, but in the meantime I use capsaicin and occasional naproxin or tylenol for the old age joint pain that remains.
Hand pain is a special problem, as anyone who has it can tell you it saps the energy out of you like having a drain on it.
Maria
The Netherlands
Boswellia greatly reduces my pain from osteoarthritis. But I have 2 weird side effects that are mentioned nowhere. 1st is severe constipation, 2nd is moodiness (quick to be irritated ?, aggravated). I only take 1 capsule of 250 mg. I also have Sjögren’s syndrome. Other meds: 50 mg quetiapine and thyroid medication. Any clues?
Anousha
Nyc
Hello,
I have colitis and am on sulfasalazine. I tried taking 1 300 mg Boswellia capsule and felt strange swish sensations in head, felt anxious for next few hours, and had to take a deep nap. However, my stomach pain went away!
I tried again a few weeks later and same thing happened. Anyone else had this side effect? Anything I can do about it since boswellia does seem to help GI inflammation.
Thanks !
Anousha
NYC
Also, could I use frankincense oil instead to treat my GI and bypass weird anxiety head side effects from boswellia? Would be most grateful for your insight!
Joy
New Zealand
Since taking Boswellia Serrata resin extract caps I have a kind of ringing/swishing sound in my ears/head. My GP suggested I get my ears checked by an Audiologist or it could be to do with acute sinisitis which I have suffered from for years. BUT first time I have noticed this sound in my head – only since taking this supplement prescribed by my Rheumologist for arthritis symptoms.
Marvin R
Canyon Lake TX
Can I take Boswellia Serrate Extract (65% Boswellia Acids) 600 mg once a day, together with Vitamin D3 2000 IUS and Vitamin E 400 IUS once a day and Vitamin C 500 mg once a day without having side affects or conflicts between Boswellia and the othe vitamins.
Susan
US
I am wondering if using a therapeutic grade frankincense essential oil on the bottoms of the feet would work and bypass the GI issues? Just a thought for those who really find benefit in the Boswellia. It has seemed to work on my canine patients who are intolerant orally.
The other comment I have is that the Boswellia did a great job of masking Lyme symptoms in one patient who was misdiagnosed for a few years because the Boswellia was doing such a great job on the pain. Make sure that you are clear with your health care professional about your symptoms, especially if they are not resolving.
Ciarrai
PS: These formulas cure chronic tendonosis and bursitis in 2 to 12 weeks and I literally do mean CURE.
Ciarrai
Perth
Boswellia extract in DMSO can be applied topically to the afflicted area. I have a series of four topical analgesics based on DMSO, which is used as the extracting solvent in the herbal steeps, but becomes the main ingredient, due to its own potent painkilling effect, its potentiating effect and its transdermal chelating effect, whereby it increases the potency of antiinflammatory, analgesic, healing and other herbs and carries them through the skin into the tissues. Boswellia is an ingredient in all four formulations.
These topicals have but one possible equal anywhere in the world, a UK product called Soothanol X2 (which does not contain Boswellia). Nothing else in existence can compare with them. So powerful, they are literally local anaesthetics, taking full effect in 45 seconds and typically lasting 10 hours with just a few drops. As a topical, it bypasses the GIT, mostly works locally and so does not elicit side effects like throat or gut irritation.
With the two more sophisticated formulas, tissue regeneration is also stimulated, especially in bone, cartilage, tendon and ligament; together with microbicidal and immune moderating actions (they require more drops to provide equivalent pain relief and antiinflammation, compared to the two more basic formulas. These can retard further degeneration of joints, or in some cases, slowly reverse it. There are legality problems in four countries (Austria, Germany, Australia & NZ), but they are safe.
STAY AWAY FROM CELEBREX. It’s deadly dangerous to chronic pain sufferers, I kid you not. So is Aspirin or Ibuprofen. As a matter of fact, there is no such thing as a good pharmaceutical drug, but let’s not get into that right now. Cheers.
Lisa
PENNSYLVANIA
I was wondering if you buy or make the DMSO/Boswellia topical combinations that you spoke of?
Susan
USA
Where can I get the ointment?
Thanks,
Susan
CAT
OH
Where can you get the cream? Thanks
Rich S
Illinois
Swansonvitamins.com.Joint cream is called.$5.99 for 4fl oz
Mary
Alabama
Can Bosweilla and Symbicort be taken in the same day?
Cathie
Springfield, MO
I have arthritis in most of my joints, am 70 years old. I’ve taken Relafen (Nabumatone) for many years. But, joints still ached. I added Boswellia and Curcumin in one tablet, plus bromelain to enhance the boswellia. My joints don’t ache as much, and I will up my dose of B and C. Instead of taking 300mg, I’ll use 600 mg. I have acid reflux, and use baking soda in water to calm it down.
Heather
I have started (for my rheumatoid) Boswellia 250 mgs day with Devils Claw 450mg with food morning. Bromelain 500mg before food. Boswellia can interfere with NSAIDS e.g. Ketaprofen so take in morning the latter in evening. Decided to start with less.
Just started Nagestic osteo acute (curcumin) 12mg cumerone. This is new process.
I was allergic to a brand of organic tumeric and was on 2,700mgs a day – too much for me broke out in hives rash sweat.
Maybe your Boswellia could be mixed with oil and rubbed on joints instead ?
Rich S
Illinois
Heather, baking soda aggrevates. I use DGL. Chewable Licorice, for years from Swansonvitamins.com
Susan
Fuquay Varina, NC
I also read about Boswellia and ordered it online many months ago. I tried it as directed and after a few times the heartburn was horrible. At the time on was on a PPI. I managed to get off the PPI and just stick with zantac which helps. I decided to try Boswellia again because my osteoarthritis is horrible when the weather changes before it rains or when I sleep… Again, I could not get past a few days because of the heartburn! Too bad, because this is a good product if you can stand it!
Lois
US
I have been taking golden paste for arthritis pain, and it works great. It is a combination of high quality turmeric, freshly ground pepper, and cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. It is a great anti-inflammatory. I can feel the pain recede in about 20 minutes. The only problem is that is needs to be taken several times a day since the effects don’t last all day. There is a website, Turmeric Life with information about this topic.
cpmt
Careful with Turmeric and cinnamon. They are natural blood thinners and can cause other bad effects like increasing liver enzymes and other problems. Both should be taken with food containing some fat: oil, butter etc…
Carolyn
Maine
Several years ago I went on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) for digestive problems. Not only did it cure them, it also brought complete relief from osteoarthritis pain in my hands. After a year I gradually returned to a more normal diet, which worked for 5 years before problems started to recur with both digestion and arthritis. So I am gearing up to do the diet again, which is a commitment. Gin soaked raisins did absolutely nothing (took them for 2 months) and after reading the above I won’t try boswellia. I avoid prescription drugs like the plague unless absolutely necessary.
deena hammond
United States
I heard about boswelia through an Internet search. I started to take it for anti inflammatory. A few months later I had a persistent sore throat and then my eardrum ruptured. I went to ent and was diagnosed with gerd ..reflux. I’ve never had any symptoms and I know without a doubt it was from the boswelia. I threw it out, took omeprazole for 2 months and felt better but my throat has never been the same. Still have a feeling of something in my throat and my ear pain is still sporadically here.
em
33542
I started taking boswellia and berberine together about 3 weeks ago. I was tired of relying on naproxen and possible side effects from that. I lived with pain too, used ice, etc. My knees are arthritic, so walking and stairs are hard…or were.
I started taking the B&B once per day with food. No problems. After the 3 weeks I read i can take 2 per day of each. Hmmm…. one each was helping, …so increase to 2 per day, always with food. VOILA! Now the knee pain has been gone for 2 days (this is all recent!). So I’ll continue this happily no apparent side effects and now that it’s cooling in FL, I can walk easier too. Each of my B&B are 500mg caps. I also have a gazebo and have started burning the Black Neglecto resin and enjoying that as it is a combo of boswellia and frankincense. Not sure if it has any affect BUT it has helped my seasonal asthma! Whatever helps…
Doggerel
PDX, OR
There is Boswellia Phytosome on the market now. The absorption is supposed to be much better, so the dosage is lower. I took standardized herbal extract ( with fatty meal as recommended for intake) and it kicked up my GERD again. I was on Pepcid for years and used D-Limonene to wean off. Now I am trying the phytosome formulated boswellia in the AM and D-L before bed.
Susan
North Carolina
I’ve been told to discontinue medications five days before hip replacement surgery. Is Boswellia considered a “medication”?
liz48
United States
Does Bowellia interact with levothyroxine?
Boo
US
I just have question. Does Boswellia and Turmeric thin your blood?
Thanks, Boo
Danny
Singapore
See a doctor and ask for Famotidine 20mg (for Gastric). I am taking Boswellia Ginger complex too and I goes with Famotidine and I am fine.
Jane
Recommended website herbs2000 for information of effects of herbs and spices – like turmeric. Yes. Turmeric thins the blood. Please do not use herbs and spices without knowing, somewhat in depth, how they function. Even Slippery Elm, always stated to be “non-toxic,” can deplete important minerals. Use the drug-herb interaction checkers, for what good they are. I trust the University of Maryland Medical Center website for alternative, and all, medications. Don’t go for what’s popular and recently seen on tv.
sheri
Guerneville, Ca
Aloha
Try taking the Boswellia complex with fat from a turkey or swallowed with tablet folded into cold butter.
Aloha for now
KN
put a boswellia capsule inside another empty capsule so it takes longer to dissolve through the gel and after it is past the stomach. You could find it still works but not at a price.
NKB
Can Boswellia cause high blood pressure? Does it have any affect at all on blood pressure?
D M
I’m a 65 year old male take blood pressure med hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg in morning and atenol 25mg at night. Also for cholesterol livalo 1mg twice a week and crestor 5mg once a week as it makes me ache, fenofibrate 160mg four times a week. I’ve been trying this rotation for about nine months will see dr. mid june. Now I have 5-LOXIN which is boswellia serrata and acetyl-11keto-beta boswellic acid (AKBA). Taking it thinking will help inflammations as my shoulder hands and elbow hurt as I feel a month ago.
Steph
Colorado
If you stop eating all forms of wheat, soy, white sugar for six months you will find that your cholesterol will drop at least 25 points, then you may be able to eliminate your cholesterol mess. They can cause pain. Give that a try and then have blood work done and see how that works for you. Even your doctor will be surprised. Keep in mind that all of the GMOs in our food chain may cause problems in our bodies since we as humans have NOT been genetically modified.
daud
I just gets lots of frankinsense from oman, but you can get it anywhere and chew it all day, its cheap and effective.
C K
Get ginger capsules or DGL capsules, or even take one of each with your boswelia, as that will soothe your stomach, plus ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory.
sr
I take 300 mg boswellia 3X/day with food for arthritis in my joints for more than a month now and having less upper gi track pain and heartburn. Joints seem to not lock up as much.
SLG
I take boswellia for knee pain. I recently tore my ACL (I had knee pain before this ACL-tearing accident, and was already taking the boswellia before the accident), and am scheduled for ACL reconstruction surgery in mid-December.
The pre-surgery instructions say to stop taking anti-inflammatory products for 5 days prior to surgery. Does this apply to boswellia? If “yes”, then is 5 days enough time in advance of surgery to stop taking it? I have found that the pain-relieving effects of boswellia last for 2+ weeks after I stop taking it, so apparently it builds up in your system and lasts for a period of time. (Likewise, I find that it takes several weeks on boswellia before I feel the benefits, so for me, it’s slow to start working and slow to wear off.)
I just want to make sure I’m not breaking any of the pre-surgery rules.
Thanks!
EL
I was diagnosed with RA a year ago. Have been trying everything natural including changing my eating habits (no gluten, no sugar, no diary, no grains and no yeast which has helped me lose weight and get rid of some of my GERD. The RA bloodwork still showed a lot of RA activity so my doc put me on Plaquenil, Sulfasalazine and Prednisone. I am working hard to get off all of these meds and one of my holistic docs introduced me to curcumin and boswellia.
While on these for a number of months I have been able to wean down to 5 mg prednisone. So, BZYSZY, I used to have BAD allergies and GERD until I changed my diet and read about Apple Cider Vinegar WITH THE MOTHER LOAD! I did start taking Apple Cider Vinegar (@ 1 – 2 tblsp in a glass of water) each day. It really seems to help any of my GERD along with eating the right foods and not eating three hours before I go to bed.
I do raise my head board of my bed up @ 6 inches which also helps my GERD. Maybe the Boswellia is contributing to your GERD but I have found a change in diet and physical habits (including exercise) and lots of prayer really changed my life! Good luck!
Diane
I notice that everyone is using capsules and there seems to be a lot of digestive complaints. I am wondering if possibly taking this as a liquid tincture under the tongue might solve this problem?? Good luck.
BZYSZY
I took 4 doses of boswellia, I was wanting to use it as an alternative to steroids for asthma, and I woke up with the worst heartburn I have ever had, it has been 6 days since the last dose of boswellia and I am still having the heartburn, it is excruciating with every bite of food that I take, and it hurts when I am just sitting and breathing. Will this go away? I take dexilant 40mg twice daily and it isn’t even touching it. I have been eating tums like crazy.
Please help me!
E.A
I do not have GERD, but I do have a hiatal hernia which sometimes causes acid burn in my throat. I am in a nursing home rehabing a broken leg and it happens during bedtime on being turned over or boosted up from the foot of the bed, etc. Any lying down activity causes it. Afterward,it goes away, usually without medication. I wonder if boswellia would make it worse. I’d really like to give it a try.
DG
I tried boswellia for several months and developed chronic heartburn, and I was taking Nexium at the time. It took several months to develop this side effect. I also had the scratchy throat and a cough, similar to the GERD I have. It worked so well with my hemicrania continua and my knees. I was taking 3200 mg a day. I had to quit. Maybe if I cut back the heartburn wont return. As soon after I quit the heartburn went away. I am so disappointed. What should I do? continue a lighter dosage?
Kim
Howard you doing today?
Lorinda
I have been giving my 13 1/2 year old dog [ big dog…Husky/German Shepherd ] Boswellia 2 pills per day – one a.m., one p.m. for 2 months now with wonderful results. As yet no negative side effects. He has bad arthritis… result of injuries running in the woods in his hind legs. He could hardly get up and his hind legs would collapse under him when he walked or did his business. It was so bad I thought I would lose him.
Initially I had him on prescription pill Novox from my vet. The results were immediate and amazing – his spirit became alive… he could get up and down and take walks… short distances before he’d have to lie down and rest. But Novox has some serious bad side effects that can result in dog’s death when used for longer than a few weeks. Fortunately my dog’s liver and kidneys weren’t affected – but a month or so later he developed serious diarrhea. I stopped the pills immediately.
Then I was told about Boswellia. Thank heavens ! Not as strong as the Novox – but almost as strong. No bad side effects so important as he’ll have to be on these pills to function…to walk…to have a bright spirit.. for the rest of his life .
Appreciate the info re diluted Frankincense oil for the arthritic joints. I shall try it.
Linda
Abbotsford, BC
Hi.
I have had arthritis off and on for the past year. But, I have found 2 approaches for the relief and eradication of this pain.
1) First is by taking apple cider vinegar and unpasteurized honey – 3 x a day. I had tried it only twice a day for a while but that did not help. 3 times daily is the charm. Here is the recipe:
Take 3 Tbsp. unpasteurized honey, and put that into a mug. Then add 3 Tbsp. unpasteurized honey to the mug. Add a bit of hot water (to melt the honey) and stir. When melted, fill the mug up with either hot water (for a hot drink) or cold water (for a cold drink) Then stir, mixing the solution. Drink this 3 times a day. I did this in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Within 3 weeks of taking this, the arthritis I had was gone. That was last year.
2) The second way to get rid of arthritis is by taking potato water (twice a day). You need to have 2 – 3 potatoes which have been peeled and cubed. Put them into a pot, and add water to cover them. Bring water to a short boil then switch low, and let the potatoes simmer for 20 minutes on the stove. After 20 minutes, pour the water off the potatoes into a cup and let this cool. Drink this 3 times daily. Throw out or use the potatoes. I tried this method this year, and I am almost pain free. I did not document the length of time it took me to feel better but it also works!!!
Good luck!!!
Cameo
Yes I was one of the unfortunate ones who developed HEARTBURN from Boswellia—-so I am going to try—turmeric which I heard is awesome for pain!
Mrs. Antipyrene
Am using Boswellia, and the brand I use is affordable. I go through 1 1/2 bottles a month of 400mg (3600 mgs a day). It works! I’m one who is a skeptic about herbal cures. I haven’t had any really bad hemicrainia continua attacks for a few months, but I made the mistake of forgetting to take it for a day or two, and the stiffness in my knees has come back, so I got back on it ASAP. I use a boswellia online and it is cheap, esp if you use Amazon.
fbl
HM40, I also have serious problems with a LOT of medications. One natural remedy that I have found that helps me more than morphine, Oxycodone etc. is made with curcurmin. It is called RE-LEV-IT. No it doesn’t take my pain away completely but it does make it livable. More than any of the drugs I’ve tried.
The only person I have given it to who wasn’t helped was my brother and he refused to take a digestive enzyme with it. As we get older most of us need digestive enzymes so be sure to take one with just to be sure.
HM40
I am diagnosed with PreLupus and Fibromyalgia and my doctor thought by adding Boswellia to my regimen would ease the joint pain so I started taking it and and the pain started getting worse so I stopped waited a week and started again and the joint pain was so bad I could not even get out of bed. So deciding this was the culprit I stopped taking again and each day have started to feel better again.
I have had reactions to prescribed medications similarly so concluded that this is my bodies way of telling me it doesn’t like this but am confused because I have not read of anyone else responding to Boswellia this way. Is this related to Nsaids causing me severe swelling? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Mrs Antipyrene
I have osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, a blood clot, and a torn meniscus that I will not have operated on because I had surgery for the same condition on my right knee, and it didn’t help. The surgery made me more vulnerable to osteoarthritis. I have to take a session of sometimes painful Synvisc injections to my knees every six months, and it doesn’t always work, so I have to take cortisone injections periodically in order to walk.
As a result, I have gained a lot of weight, ( just five years ago I was physically active and on the slender side) because every exercise I have ever tried would hurt over a period of time (I have had years of weight training and other cardio training, and I know the difference between the healthy “burn ” you are supposed to feel and serious pain). I also have some lumbar arthritis and a narrowing of a disk. And to top that off I have recently been diagnosed with hemicrania continua, a chronic pain that radiates from the left side of my head to my entire face, if I let it go. I once had it last continuously for six months until I had a cervical nerve ablation ( burning the nerves in the neck to deaden the pain).
The pain has pretty much subsided when I took Indocin, and has improved with surgery. Most of the time I only need to take the Indocin once a day. BUT there are problems with water retention and high blood pressure (normally my blood pressure is low). My pain Doctor suggested that I try boswellia for my chronic pain, because of the dangerous side effects of Indocin. And Indocin doesn’t seem to work on my other joint pains.
He told me there have been studies about using boswellia to control hemicrania continua. I have been looking for this study. Has anyone heard of it? I plan on taking it, but have limited resources. Does anyone know what dosage to take, and what a good brand would be? Some have 60% boswellia, and the studies re arthritis involve only 38%, 2-3 times a day. Because I have to take Coumadin, I cannot take a mixture of other herbs, like ginseng, ginko biloba, etc.
pentacles
Florida
Hello. Before taking any supplement, I research it to see how it was used in clinical trials. In the case of Boswellia, the most effective form was found to be Apres-Flex, standardized to 20%, 100 mg per day. Since I wanted ONLY Apres-Flex, not a combination formula with other ingredients, I decided to try 5-LOX Inhibitor with AprèsFlex® made by the Life Extension Foundation. This product met all the standards used in the clinical trials. I have not taken it yet, however, because there is no explanation in the trials on whether to take it with or without food. After what I read by others here, I will definitely take it with food to (hopefully) avoid heartburn. Hope this helps.
gp
I heard somewhere that boswellia was dangerous to your liver. I already have a lesion on my liver and am worried about boswellia. Anyone who about this?
Manfredi pds
Has the question from Earl A K about possible interaction of Boswellia wiyh Coumadin been answered? I have the same question.
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE COULD FIND NO REPORTS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN BOSWELLIA AND WARFARIN.
Roger M.
I also would like to know if I can take it because I also am on coumadin.
TB
This was absolutely helpful. I am in the process of weaning myself off of all pharmaceutical medicines and replacing them with natural alternatives. The Boswellia that I have chosen has Camomile and Turmeric added to it in the capsules. So far, it is taking the edge off my RA pain. I am also incorporating Raiki treatments which is helping as well.
LE
I have the same problem. Did you learn if you can take this with coumadin?
MGA
My 87 year old father has lower muscle back pain. Therapy does not work and he no longer wants to take NSAIDS. Is Boswellia an option and at what dosage should he start out? I have noted a number of heartburn side effect notes. Will taking an antacid do any harm?
ph
I have heard about the stomach irritation so, I am unsure about using this herb.
I take asiphex for acid reflex but, only when needed. Do you recommend this product still?
Certified Herbalist
As a stomach soother- I personally make, I use slippery elm bark to settle the acids in the stomach thus coating the lining that gets the stomach acid all upset. It works good for me. I take 2 size o capsules of boswellia serrata twice daily for my tendonitis . I also take enteric coated fish oil once a day ( a blood thinner but good for circulation) and panax gensing for hormonal balance and energy).
Has worked several years for me with no poor effects. However any supplement should be tried one at a time so you can rule out allergy. Herbs have side effects – be careful out there. Take a course on herbology or find a local practitioner with license and credentials- there are also a lot of money hungry folks that will sell you anything. Boswellia looks and smells like powdered cheese- don’t get scammed. Be safe, and healthy.
Deborah
Boswellin is a resin, so it is harder to digest. You could try taking it with ginger. Ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory, but it increases stomach acid secretion, so it will help you digest the Boswellin better.
bp
I have polymyalgia rheumatica. Doctor has tried Methotrexate, celebrex, Plaquinil and Prednasone. The only thing that has helped is Prednasone. I was on 5 mg daily until my doctor closed his practice and I have a NEW doctor. He doesn’t like Prednasone. I am back to night fevers, muscle aches and general bad times. Have tried Mobic, and NABUMETONE. I have never felt so bad. Am thinking about trying Boswella. Ran across your forum during search. Any experience with polymyalgia?
cpmt
I would like to know where can you find this herb and how much is the normal dose, or how many mg. is normal?
big dog
Did you try only taking with meals? Could taking it with more fluids or milk alleviate this?
Nancy
I have been using boswellia for years at 1200/mg/day. I have not had any side effects however, I am not using any other meds for the arthritis/F/M. I was on celebrex, etc and had many problems with reflux, etc.
Karen
I have struggled with sacral pain after pelvic FX, for 2 yrs. I had no relief with tramadol, darvocett, vicodin. Out of desperation I tried the natural supplement Boswellia. I have been pain free for 3 days since I started it. I have taken (2) 307mg tabs, about every 6-8hr. I can tell when it’s wearing off. It is like a miracle. I have trouble w/ GERD, and so far stomach is ok. age 47.
am
I have terrible TMJ that locks my jaw and causes blinding pain just above my ear. Boswellia is the only thing that has consistently helped me. I have tried everything and Boswellia keeps me able to function. Anyone with pain or inflammation should try this herb.
ggttrr
I have real bad back pain from arthritis. Can’t use ibuprofen type medication due to a case of bleeding ulcers about 10 years. Ibuprofen did a great job of pain reduction but I am now taking hydrocodone which doesn’t work as well and has some rough side affects. Anybody out there with a solution using herbal remedies? Thanks, Guy.
Rozetta
Boswellia is related to Frankincense. If the pills are bothering your system, you might be able to use the oil diluted on the effected joints. I use Frankincense with several clients with joint pain. I find 4 drops of Frankincense to 5 mls of carrier oil like Almond or Grapeseed to work very well.
RMD
And the battle for a cure for arthritis pain goes on and on. The only thing that seems to consistently work without side effects is moderate exercise and weight reduction. Many of us have developed arthritis because we did neither of these for most of our lives.
Earl A.K.
I to have tried Boswellia. What great relief. Have had no problems with it that I am aware of. But taking Coumadin and Lasix and am wondering if that may cause a problem. Do you have any adverse results reported with it in conjunction with the two reported medications?