A Plant with Potential!
When you hear the word "frankincense," you probably don’t immediately think of horse feed. However, the positive properties of this tree resin can also be beneficial in equine nutrition.
Indian frankincense is derived from the Boswellia serrata tree, which grows in the dry and mountainous regions of India. The valuable resin is harvested by making incisions in the tree bark. [1], [2]
What is Frankincense Good For?
Indian frankincense contains compounds known as boswellic acids, which have a positive effect on many metabolic processes in the body. Since these boswellic acids are very difficult to synthesize, natural sources, such as the resin from Boswellia serrata trees, are the only option.
Frankincense for Arthritis
Boswellia serrata is becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of joint problems, such as osteoarthritis. Several human studies on knee osteoarthritis have already demonstrated the effectiveness of Boswellia serrata. For example, in a study by Kimmatkar et al. (2003), after 8 weeks, participants taking Indian frankincense experienced significantly less pain and swelling, as well as improved mobility compared to the control group. Long-term studies also showed good results. The positive effects of frankincense persisted for some time even after discontinuing the supplement. [3][4]
Additionally, outstanding results have been achieved by combining Boswellia serrata with Curcuma longa (turmeric). In some cases, the combination provided better results than medications. [5] Synergistic effects are even suspected when curcumin and Boswellia serrata are used together. [6] This means that the effects of both components enhance each other when used in combination.
What About Horses?
The synergistic effects of curcumin and Boswellia serrata are utilized in products like Hestevard BozMerix! Therefore, we recommend BozMerix particularly for horses with osteoarthritis, acute joint issues, or older horses that benefit from specific support for their musculoskeletal system. BozMerix is also an excellent supplement to be used alongside medications. However, always consult a veterinarian for joint problems to ensure the right therapy is chosen for the individual horse.
Hestevard Hesteflex also takes advantage of the anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia serrata. In combination with MSM and the antioxidant vitamins E and C, Hesteflex is the ideal choice for prevention, joint and tendon problems, and also for younger horses or those undergoing increased physical strain.
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References:
- Wildfind - Boswellia Trees and Frankincense
- Herbal Plant Lexicon - Indian Frankincense
- Kimmatkar et al. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee – A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. 10(1), 3–7. doi:10.1078/094471103321648593
- Sontakke et al. (2007). Open, randomized, controlled clinical trial of Boswellia serrata extract compared to valdecoxib in knee osteoarthritis. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 39(1), 27-29.
- Kizhakkedath (2013). Clinical evaluation of a formulation containing Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts for knee osteoarthritis. Molecular Medicine Reports, 8(5), 1542-1548.
- Haroyan et al. (2018). Efficacy and safety of curcumin and its combination with boswellic acid in osteoarthritis: A comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMC Complement Altern Med, 18, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-2062-z