MediHerb Boswellia Complex Review, Ingredients & Side Effects

Mediherb’s Boswellia Complex sold by Standard Process is a dietary supplement promoted for healthy joints, circulation, anti-oxidant protection and supporting the body’s ability to resist environmental stressors.

The primary ingredient – Boswellia serrata extract – has been used for medicinal purposes both in Africa and in Ayurvedic medicine in India. This resin is extracted from the bark of Boswellia serrata tree and contains the active constituents 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and acetyl-beta-boswellic acid.

The ingredients found in Mediherb’s Boswellia Complex supplement include 277 mg of Boswellia gum oleoresin with with 180 mg of Boswellia acid, celery seed fruit extract, ginger rhizome and turmeric rhizome containing 70.4 mg curcuminoids.

The company claims that these components add triterpene acids, coumarins, flavonoids, pungent principles and diarylheptanoids to the supplement to help promote health. Boswellia and turmeric are two of the most popular anti-inflammatory herbs and are commonly used to relieve inflammation and joint pain.

Boswellia Serrata

Anti-Inflammatory

Anti- Inflammatory

Joints

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Effective natural anti-inflammatory
• Improves blood flow to the joint for better functionality
• Exhibits pain-relieving properties

Dosage:

Between 200 - 400 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Boswellia Complex Benefits

The manufacturers of Boswellia Complex claim that the ingredients in this supplement work together to:

• Support the normal function of the kidneys to clear acidic waste products effectively
• Maintain and support healthy joints
• Promote the body’s normal resistance function
• Support healthy circulation
• Support healthy response to environmental stresses
• Provide antioxidant activity

MediHerb’s combination of Boswellia with celery seed, ginger and turmeric is designed to enhance the effectiveness of each of these individual ingredients by providing a synergistic complex formula.

Boswellia extract (also known as Indian Frankincense) is most commonly used to reduce inflammation in the body. Several different pentacyclic triterpenic acids have been isolated from Boswellia resins that have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties (2).

Ginger and turmeric are also used for joint inflammation, with positive results from research studies (3). Wild celery seed is used for muscle and joint aches, and has demonstrated pain-reducing effects in research studies (4).

You can buy Boswellia Complex online from Amazon.com or directly on the Standard Process website. This product is currently sold on Amazon for $63.13 in a package that contains 120 tablets.

Boswellia Complex has received 52 customer reviews, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5-stars. 79% of reviews are 5-star ratings and 9% of reviews are 1-star ratings.

Boswellia Complex for Healthy Joints

Boswellia extract has been rated as Possibly Effective for osteoarthritis by the Natural Medicines Database.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and is the most common form of arthritis. It is characterized as the breakdown of cartilage and bone at the joints, which is caused by normal “wear and tear”. This condition can cause pain, loss of functionality, stiffness and poor mobility.

In two separate clinical trials, using 5-Loxin (a proprietary Boswellia Serrate extract) at a dose of either 100 mg or 250 mg daily resulted in improvements in pain and joint functionality. Patients with osteoarthritis saw benefits within 7 days of beginning to use the supplement, with self-reported pain scores being reduced by 32% to 65%. (5).

Research studies have also shown that patients given boswellia extract experience reduced knee swelling and pain. Subjects continee to benefit from the supplement up to one month after stopping treatment.

No studies have been conducted specifically on the Boswellia Complex supplement. However, scientists have looked at the effectiveness of using Boswellic acid and curicumin (an extract from turmeric) together to provide relief from osteoarthritis pain in the knee.

At least one study found that the two compounds together significantly improved pain scores, the patients’ reporting of joint tenderness and increased how far patients were able to walk. The supplements in this study outperformed the traditional prescription medication, Celecoxib (6).

There is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of Boswellia for the management of rheumatoid arthritis. One clinical trial found that the extract was able to improve pain, stiffness and strength while another did not find a significant difference between those given the supplement and a placebo.

Boswellia has also been studied for other conditions, including ulcerative colitis, asthma, Crohn’s disease, collagenous colitis and brain tumors. Boswellia herbal resin is rated as Possibly Effective for Ulcerative Colitis, but there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it works for other conditions.

How to Use Boswellia Complex

The manufacturers state that the recommended dosage for Boswellia Complex is one tablet, taken 2 – 4 times daily or as directed.

This amounts to a recommended dose of between 277 – 1108 mg of Boswellia extract per day, providing between 180 – 720 mg of Boswellic acid daily.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, for the treatment of osteoarthritis the recommended Boswellia dosage is between 100 and 333 mg three times a day, standardized to 40% boswellic acid (1). This is a dosage range of between 120 – 400 mg of Boswellic acid per day.

You should consult with your doctor to determine the appropriate dose for your needs. It is recommended to start with the lowest dosage and observe yourself for side effects.

Boswellia Complex Side Effects

Boswellia serrata supplements are generally well tolerated. This herb is rated as Likely Safe by the Natural Medicines Database.

In one research study, healthy adult volunteers were given 333 mg of Boswellia serrata per day and did not report any negative side effects. Similarly, children who were given 126 mg/kg of H15 (a proprietary Boswellia extract) for a median duration of 9 months while under medical supervision did not report any adverse effects.

When side effects did occur, they are generally related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea, nausea, pain in the digestive track or acid reflux (1).

The other ingredients in Mediherb’s Boswellia Complex supplement also have good safety records and are generally well tolerated. However, their use may be contraindicated in people taking specific medications or with certain health conditions. Consult with your doctor to find out if Boswellia Complex is an appropriate supplement for you.

Boswellia Complex Drug Interactions

Boswellia supplements may cause interactions when used with certain prescription medications or taken by individuals with other medical conditions.

In vitro studies suggest that Boswellia extract can inhibit Cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C19, CYP34A, CYP2Dk and CYP1A2. Drugs that are metabolized by these enzymes may be affected when using this supplement.

Consult with a doctor if you are using amitriptyline (Elavil), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), flecainide (Tambocor), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), ondansetron (Zofran), paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal), tramadol (Ultram), venlafaxine (Effexor), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), and warfarin (Coumadin or other medications that are metabolized by the liver.

Laboratory studies suggest that Boswellia can have immunostimulant properties. It may inhibit the effectiveness of immunosuppressive medications. Similarly, patients who have autoimmune diseases should be cautious when using Boswellia and only take it if directed to do so by a medical professional (1).

Mediherb’s Boswellia Complex should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeling. Some of the ingredients, including turmeric and celery, could cause uterine contractions and miscarriage.

The supplement should also be avoided by those who have kidney problems, bleeding disorders, low blood pressure, those trying for a baby, individuals diagnosed with diabetes, anyone with a hormone-dependent condition or those that are going to be undergoing surgery (4,8).

The Boswellia Complex combines several ingredients that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits. This supplement is commonly used to provide relief from joint pain and to improve functionality.

The ingredients in this supplement have been studied for their effects on osteoarthritis, with positive results reported. However, Mediherb’s Boswellia Complex has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of arthritis or any other medical conditions.

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