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Boswellia/Turmeric

by Carly Neubert, BA, NC on April 06, 2022

Pain sucks….whether you are talking about short term pain, like a headache, or chronic joint pain, the effects are debilitating. Pain management is a 64 billion industry with Pfizer and AstroZeneca benefitting from your aches and hard-earned money. Although pain is increasing in the world, due to an aging population, it has been around since the dawn of time. And because pain has been around since the stone-ages, there have always been remedies. Modern-day pain solutions come with a laundry list of side effects and contraindications, while time-tested remedies have multiples benefits minus the drawbacks. 

Before you pop your next ibuprofen and pain medication, consider some of the following side effects associated with them.

  • Indigestion and GERD
  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Loss of balance
  • Nauseau
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Difficulty concentrating 

On the other hand, there are many botanicals without a long list of consideration  If there were a competition for which plant would be best for alleviating pain, turmeric and boswellia would have to share the podium. Turmeric with its potent active pain-fighting component, curcumin, are all but everyday household words at this point. You can buy anything from cheap ineffective turmeric supplements to scientifically backed and patented curcumin formulas. While turmeric tea, turmeric lattes, and smoothies are popular foods, they don’t hold the promise of pain relief. That can only be achieved with concentrated curcumin extracts.

Turmeric is a finger-like root that is related to ginger. Turmeric is dried and ground into a powder to be sold as a spice. It is bright orange-yellow and stains everything it touches---which is great if you want a natural dye for your fabrics.  Curcumin is the extract from turmeric. You don’t buy curcumin in the spice aisle--that is where you find turmeric powder for cooking. Curcumin is the powerful plant extract that is responsible for decreasing inflammation in your joints, digestive system, and even your brain.  

Curcumin is difficult to absorb so you want to ensure you get a quality formula that has enhanced bio-availability. CuraMin and the other Terry Naturally curcumin formulas contain curcumin with enhanced absorption technology.

Boswellia hasn’t gotten as much positive press and attention, however, it holds its own when it comes to decreasing inflammation and pain. In fact, it relieves the pain and inflammation in your body that even other strong botanicals can’t match. There is one big glitch though…some unstandardized boswellia supplements can also contain beta-boswellic acid, which is not associated with optimal benefits. The boswellia in Terry Naturally BosMed 500 is standardized to ensure at least 10% AKBA, and virtually no beta-boswellic acid. That means you get the pain relief and other benefits without worrying about the beta-boswellic acid.

Within boswellia extract there are several helpful compounds and one compound that is particularly unhelpful (boswellic acid). AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-B-boswellic acid) is the most studied and most useful compound in boswellia extract. While some supplement manufacturers use a boswellia extract with many different boswellia compounds, Terry Naturally and other quality supplement companies use a standardized boswellia extract. The boswellia extract in BosMed and other Terry Naturally formulas is standardized to at least 10% AKBA. 

The boswellia tree is native to India, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is also known as the frankincense tree. Native farmers tap the trees to extract the gum resin to make supplements and oil. The process involves tapping the tree to let out a thick liquid. After waiting for a month, the water evaporates and leaves behind a thick pasty gum which usually contains 30-60% resin, 5-10% essential oils (called frankincense oil),  with the remaining 30-55% consisting of polysaccharides.  These percentages are important to keep in mind when you choose a boswellia supplement.  

The essential oils extracted from the tree are called Frankincense oil and can be found as an essential oil or as a fragrance added to incense. It is sometimes referred to as Indian Frankincense. The gum resin that is used to make supplements is referred to as boswellia serrata extract.

It is important to note that boswellia includes over 20 species of trees. Each species of boswellia tree contains slightly different compounds. As a whole, boswellia trees are becoming endangered because of over-harvesting, fires, and predators. Terry Naturally sources its AKBA boswellia serrata extract from traditionally sustainable farms. These farms in India operate under the oversight of the Department of Forestry, which carefully controls harvest frequency and other issues of sustainability. Terry Naturally BosMed uses Boswellia serrata that is sustainably harvested and therefore does not contribute to the problems facing other species of boswellia.

Uses 

Boswellia extract has a long history in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has traditionally been used for respiratory issues, inflammation, and pain---both acute and chronic. Modern research has shown great promise for the following conditions:

Osteoarthritis can benefit from a turmeric and boswellia combination. One study involving patients with osteoarthritis showed significant pain reduction in the first 4 weeks of taking the combo. 

Whether you are worried about a seasonal cold, asthma, or the Covid-19 pandemic, boswellia is a proven support for respiratory issues.  

All digestive issues have a root in inflammation. It just makes sense that turmeric and boswellia would help with Crohns, Ulcerative colitis, Ilietus, leaky gut and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  

For more sciency stuff about boswellia, check out this resource. 

FAQs

Can you take turmeric and boswellia together?

Yes, in fact a recent study illustrated that using turmeric and boswellia together creates a synergistic effect that offers more pain relief than taking either one of the nutrients alone. CuraMin Extra Strength combines turmeric and boswellia together in a convenient formula.  

What is turmeric and boswellia?

Turmeric and boswellia are both plant botanicals that reduce inflammation and pain in your body. They are the main ingredients in CuraMin Extra Strength.

What are turmeric boswellia used for?

Turmeric and boswellia are both natural anti-inflammatory solutions without the side effects of prescription or over the counter NSAIDS. They can be used for anything from headaches and pulled muscles to cancer and mental illness.

Who should not take boswellia?

Check with your doctor before taking boswellia if you are taking prescription pain medications, blood thinners, calcium channel blockers, antibiotics or protease inhibitors.

Is boswellia safe to take everyday?

Boswellia is safe to take up to 1000mg everyday. CuraMin Extra Strength contains a proprietary formula with turmeric and boswellia. It contains less than 1000mg of boswellia per dose. 

How long does it take for boswellia to start working?

For chronic aches and pains, the research shows that it takes around 7 days for boswellia to assist the body. For acute pain, such as a headache, a dose of Curamin Extra Strength may work within 30 minutes. 

Can I give my pet turmeric and boswellia?

Yes, pets can benefit from turmeric and boswellia in the same way that humans do. It is a best to find a product that is dosed by on your pet’s weight. Here is an article with some excellent tips for you furry friend.

If you are looking for a customized plan to implement natural pain solutions, set up a consultation with me. 

Sources:

https://examine.com/supplements/boswellia-serrata/research/#neurology_depression

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