Boswellia for irritable bowel syndrome

Posted on Sun, 13 Aug 17

The first clinical study of the herb Boswellia serrata for irritable bowel syndrome has found that it was as good at providing quick symptom relief as pharmaceutical drugs, with fewer side-effects. 

Boswellia serrata gum resin has a long history of traditional and medical use as an anti-inflammatory herb and has previously been shown to reduce disease activity in people with inflammatory bowel disease [1]. Beyond anti-inflammatory effects, Boswellia may also influence gastrointestinal motility [2] and relieve pain [3].

A new study examined the effects of Boswellia in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the first time [4]. In the study, Bowsellia extract (250 mg per day, providing 25% boswellic acids) was compared to drug therapy with the antispasmodics hyoscine butylbromide or papaverine hydrochloride + A. belladonna over a 4-week treatment period. 

Boswellia extract was as effective as the medications for symptoms such as abdominal pain, altered bowel movements, and cramps but also resulted in less need for medical attention and lower incidence of side effects.

If you want to try Boswellia, a typical dose is 100 to 200 mg once daily of a high-potency extract providing 30% 3-O-Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBBA), or approximately 300 mg three times daily of a standard extract providing 65% boswellic acids.

References:

1. Ammon HP. Boswellic Acids and Their Role in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;928:291-327.
2. Borrelli F, Capasso F, Capasso R, et alA. Effect of Boswellia serrata on intestinal motility in rodents: inhibition of diarrhoea without constipation. Br J Pharmacol. 2006 Jun;148(4):553-60.
3. Prabhavathi K, Chandra US, Soanker R, et al. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, cross over study to evaluate the analgesic activity of Boswellia serrata in healthy volunteers using mechanical pain model. Indian J Pharmacol. 2014 Sep-Oct;46(5):475-9. 
4. Belcaro G, Gizzi G, Pellegrini L, et al. Supplementation with a lecithin-based delivery form of Boswellia serrata extract (Casperome®) controls symptoms of mild irritable bowel syndrome. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2017 May;21(9):2249-2254.