Boswellia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Boswellia | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Species | ||||||||||||||
|
see text |
Boswellia is a genus of trees known for their fragrant resin which has many pharmacological uses particularly as anti-inflammatories. The Biblical incense frankincense was probably an extract from the resin of the tree, Boswellia sacra.
There are four main species of Boswellia which produce true frankincense and each type of resin is available in various grades. The grades depend on the time of harvesting, and the resin is hand sorted for quality. Anyone interested in frankincense would be well advised to first obtain a small sample of each type from a reputable dealer in order to ascertain the difference between each resin.
Contents |
[edit] Medicinal uses
Boswellia has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, the boswellic acids that are a component of the resin it produces have shown some promise as a treatment for asthma and various inflammatory conditions [1] In West Africa, the bark of Boswellia dalzielii is used to treat fever, rheumatism and gastrointestinal problems.[2] Boswellia incense may even relieve depression.[3]
[edit] Species
- Boswellia ameero
- Boswellia bullata
- Boswellia dalzielii
- Boswellia dioscorides
- Boswellia elongata
- Boswellia frereana Birdw.[4]
- Boswellia nana
- Boswellia neglecta S. Moore[4]
- Boswellia ogadensis
- Boswellia pirottae
- Boswellia papyrifera[4]
- Boswellia popoviana
- Boswellia rivae
- Boswellia sacra Flueck. syn. Boswellia carterii Birdw.[4]
- Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr.[4]
- Boswellia socotrana Balf. f.[4]
[edit] Gallery
 Boswellia dalzielii bark |
[edit] Notes
- ^ Gupta I, Gupta V, Parihar A, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study. European Journal of Herbal Medicine 1998; 3:511-14.
- ^ Arbonnier 2002. Arbres, arbustes et lianes des zones sèches de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
- ^ [1] "Incensole acetate, an incense component, elicits psychoactivity by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain", The FASEB Journal, 20 May, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f "Species in GRIN for genus". www.ars-grin.gov. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?1604. Retrieved on 2009-01-14.
