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Boswellia better than Mesalamine?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/30/2009 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Boswellia serrata

Boswellia serrata is a botanical with significant anti-inflammatory activity. In vitro, this botanical inhibits the 5-lipoxygenase product LTB4, which has been implicated in Crohn's Disease.255 A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial examined the effect of a Boswellia extract (n=44) or mesalamine (n=39) in 102 Crohn's Disease patients. The primary outcome measured was change in CDAI between baseline and end of the study (article was in German; abstract only in English – which did not note length of study or dosages used). Patients treated with the Boswellia extract exhibited an average 90-point decrease in CDAI, while those on mesalamine averaged a 53-point decrease. 256 Although the difference between Boswellia and mesalamine was not considered statistically significant, Boswellia appeared to perform better than mesalamine. A larger study with more statistical power is warranted.

http://www.crohns.net/Miva/education/articles/Botanicals_in_the_Treatment_of_Crohns_Disease.shtml
Posted 8/30/2009 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
As a maintenance med Mesalamine is a bit lacking. Mesalamine is most useful for people who have had surgery, have ileal disease and have had the disease for a long time. For such people, it reduces the rate of relapse by about 13%. For people who don't fit those criteria (no surgery, colon centered disease, shorter duration of illness), the result is much less - 4.7% reduction in relapse rates, but the effect could be zero due to statistical uncertainty. As you can see from the numbers, there is room for improvement. Unfortunately, the only meds that improve on those numbers are the immune suppressors like Imuran and the rest.

Link: PubMed

Post Edited (Keeper) : 8/29/2009 11:34:21 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/30/2009 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
I have Crohns in my stomach and duodenum (ouch), and in my colon at the same time. Very little in my ileum and small intestines.
Posted 8/30/2009 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Before my surgeries I was successfully treated with Pentasa when I flared. Since my resections I have been successfully maintained with Asacol. I know nothing of botswella, and am satisfied with the meds I am on. JMHO
Posted 9/1/2009 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Boswellia is a natural herb that has almost 0 side effects, was shown to perform better than Mesalamine and can be purchased for $15 for a months supply without any insurance. This is not a new synthetic drug but an herb that has been used in India for thousands of years. In fact, it is a type of Frankincense, that stuff those Indian wizzards and astrologers from the east gave Jesus when he was born, according to the legend. Boswellia is a related species of tree and the tree sap is what is used to get the Boswellia extract.

Boswellia is not associated with liver damage like the other Mesalamine drugs are. No dizziness as even a rare side effect. No harmful interactions with other drugs and offers superior performance to the Mesalamine drugs.

It also has a very gentle effect of TNF inhibition, but does not seem to have any of the side effects associated with the other TNF drugs like Remicade.
Posted 9/1/2009 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
http://www.suite101.com/blog/daisyelaine/boswellia_reduces_inflammation
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