It may be difficult for your doctor to prescribe NSAIDs for inflammation. Pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, a history of kidney or liver disease, who have had ulcers, or suffer from asthma are usually advised not to take these drugs. Also, if you’re over the age of 65, you need to be extra careful about taking NSAIDs. The drugs could intensify or counteract the effects of some medications. To top it all off, these risks, as well as the severity of any side effects, increase the longer you take NSAIDs.
If you’re dealing with chronic inflammation, this can put you in a bit of a bind. Here’s some health advice about an alternative herbal cure that may be able to help. Boswellia has been used to treat inflammation caused by a variety of illnesses, including irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and asthma (to find out more about boswellia and asthma, read the article Treat Asthma with Turmeric and Boswellia).
In a recently performed clinical trial, German researchers found the following favorable data regarding boswellia and its ability to fight inflammation:
— The administration of boswellia extract is associated with better tolerability
— The pharmacological effects of boswellia extract are attributed to suppression of leukotriene (a substance that helps to trigger inflammation)
— Two boswellic acids, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), are likely
responsible for boswellia’s anti-inflammatory action
The researchers concluded that boswellia extract is a promising alternative to NSAIDs. They suggest conducting further pharmacological studies and clinical trials.
If you want to give boswellia a try, look for the extract at natural pharmacies. As always, get your doctor’s advice before taking any herbal remedy.