Boswellia (Frankincense)

SandiaBuddy
SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
edited June 2018 in Colorectal Cancer #1

This is a supplement I had not heard of until I visited a spine specialist and she mentioned it is effective for joint pain as well as having anti-cancer properties.  My colonoscopy doctor was adamant that other than a baby aspirin, I not take NSAIDs, which makes dealing with back and joint pain even more difficult.  I have done some preliminary research on this supplement and it seems to be as effective as NSAIDs for some types of pain and inflammation (especially back pain) and there seems to be some preliminary evidence of its anti-cancer effect.  So, once again, following the risk/benefit analysis, for me there does not seem to be much risk in taking it, so I am giving it a try.  Preliminarily, it does seem to help with the back pain, but that could just be a placebo effect.  But hey, who knows?

Here are a few research notes on the matter if you are interested:

General: https://www.healthline.com/health/boswellia#oa

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2016.1226356 (journal)

Abstract colon cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28549801

Abstract colon cancer: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mnfr.201600984

Anecdotal: https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(18)30150-4/fulltext

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5739138/

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Comments

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #2
    bosweila

    We use it as an additive supplement with chemo.   

    One long time CSN caregiver pointed out, that boswellia " is a potent Topo I inhibitor ala irinotecan"

  • Twinzma
    Twinzma Member Posts: 236 Member
    #3
    Three wise men

    Well if the wise men bought it as a gift to Jesus....It has to be goodWink

     

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited July 2018 #4
    Twinzma said:

    Three wise men

    Well if the wise men bought it as a gift to Jesus....It has to be goodWink

     

    Yup

    Was just thinking the same thing.  It's got to be a "Godsend".

    Kim

  • Mommy T
    Mommy T Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2018 #5
    Excellent research SandiaBuddy - Great info - Thank you!

    A nurse that helped me with my mother-in-law's hospice care mentioned this. She uses this but I don't know how she uses it.  She swears by it.

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #6
    Boswellia

    Another supportive study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41401-018-0157-9

    Acquired docetaxel-resistance of prostate cancer (PCa) remains a clinical obstacle due to the lack of effective therapies. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is a pentacyclic triterpenic acid isolated from the fragrant gum resin of the Boswellia serrata tree, which has shown intriguing antitumor activity against human cell lines established from PCa, colon cancer, malignant glioma, and leukemia. In this study, we examined the effects of AKBA against docetaxel-resistant PCa in vitro and in vivo as well as its anticancer mechanisms. We showed that AKBA dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in docetaxel-resistant PC3/Doc cells; its IC50 value in anti-proliferation was ∼17 μM. Furthermore, AKBA dose-dependently suppressed the chemoresistant stem cell-like properties of PC3/Doc cells, evidenced by significant decrease in the ability of mammosphere formation and down-regulated expression of a number of stemness-associated genes. The activation of Akt and Stat3 signaling pathways was remarkably enhanced in PC3/Doc cells, which contributed to their chemoresistant stem-like phenotype. AKBA (10–30 μM) dose-dependently suppressed the activation of Akt and Stat3 signaling pathways in PC3/Doc cells. In contrast, overexpression of Akt and Stat3 significantly attenuated the inhibition of AKBA on PC3/Doc cell proliferation. In docetaxel-resistant PCa homograft mice, treatment with AKBA significantly suppresses the growth of homograft RM-1/Doc, equivalent to its human PC3/Doc, but did not decrease their body weight. In summary, we demonstrate that AKBA inhibits the growth inhibition of docetaxel-resistant PCa cells in vitro and in vivo via blocking Akt and Stat3 signaling, thus suppressing their cancer stem cell-like properties.

  • Woodytele
    Woodytele Member Posts: 163
    #7
    Frankincense and myrrh

    I use a frankincense and myrrh oil for my feet to help with neuropathy, and like most herbal supplements, they can’t hurt so why not try it.  You have nothing to lose. 

    You can buy this on Amazon for about $15.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited September 2018 #8
    Woodytele said:

    Frankincense and myrrh

    I use a frankincense and myrrh oil for my feet to help with neuropathy, and like most herbal supplements, they can’t hurt so why not try it.  You have nothing to lose. 

    You can buy this on Amazon for about $15.

    Gifts

    Maybe they were such wonderful items used long time ago as well when two of the three Kings gave them to Jesus as gifts.  There are some things way back then we can attribute to in today's healing practices.  Glad they worked for you.  You are right you have nothing to lose by using it. 

    Kim

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    #9
    I use frankincense

    I rub the oil on my abdomen near the liver daily. Also use on my knees for joint pain.  The first nutritionist I visited after my diagnosis recommended the oral form. I continue to believe in trying multiple things to stall this CRC.

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    #10
    It is definitely worth trying

    My niece bought me some frankincense oil awhile ago, I rubbed it on my stomach, but stopped because the fragrance was so strong.  I am going to start using it again.  It should help by being absorbed through the skin.  I haven't seen any to take orally.  If anyone is taking it, Where have you found it? 

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #11
    Joan M said:

    It is definitely worth trying

    My niece bought me some frankincense oil awhile ago, I rubbed it on my stomach, but stopped because the fragrance was so strong.  I am going to start using it again.  It should help by being absorbed through the skin.  I haven't seen any to take orally.  If anyone is taking it, Where have you found it? 

    Boswellia tablets

    I have been taking the oral Solaray product, I get it at the local "Natural Grocers."  Link.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #12
    Joan M said:

    It is definitely worth trying

    My niece bought me some frankincense oil awhile ago, I rubbed it on my stomach, but stopped because the fragrance was so strong.  I am going to start using it again.  It should help by being absorbed through the skin.  I haven't seen any to take orally.  If anyone is taking it, Where have you found it? 

    Carrier oil

    Do you use a carrier oil when applyin Frankincense to your stomach?  Its always best to use a carrier oil, and it would help cut the powerful aroma, as well. 

    Tru

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    #13
    Thank you for the info on

    Thank you for the info on where to get the tablets Sandia. 

    And on the carrier oil Tru.  I'll try that

     

  • optimist777
    optimist777 Member Posts: 38
    #14
    Thanks, for info

    Thanks for the info on Boswellia.  It appears you get a lot of benefits from Boswellia without a lot of side effects.  I'm giving it a try. 

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #15
    Darn, now I look like a jerk.

    Darn, now I look like a jerk. I got mad at my sister because she was going to send me frankincense and I got all cranky about people trying to get me to use things that don't work and all the quacks out there who espouse stupid products or miracle cures. 

    It makes me cranky because so many things are just a waste of money and I loathe anyone who would take advantage of a person who is just trying to live and is desperate for hope. My sister's friend had suggested it. Of course, because she sells some line of home products and sells the frankincense, too. Recently I had another friend, who has recovered from breast cancer suggest essential oils. which. by golly, she sells! I cut her right off. I said I couldn't believe that when she's actually had cancer she'd still believes in things like that. 

    Unfortunately it's a subject that really makes me angry right away. Like a cartoon character that turns red from their feet to their head and then steam comes out, like that. 

    If I'm not mistaken we recently lost a member on here who had the money to go all over the world and try various 'cures'.

    We have enough problems without losing money for cures that don't work.

    That being said, I might have to ask her about the frankincense after all. Ha ha.

    Jan

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #16
    JanJan63 said:

    Darn, now I look like a jerk.

    Darn, now I look like a jerk. I got mad at my sister because she was going to send me frankincense and I got all cranky about people trying to get me to use things that don't work and all the quacks out there who espouse stupid products or miracle cures. 

    It makes me cranky because so many things are just a waste of money and I loathe anyone who would take advantage of a person who is just trying to live and is desperate for hope. My sister's friend had suggested it. Of course, because she sells some line of home products and sells the frankincense, too. Recently I had another friend, who has recovered from breast cancer suggest essential oils. which. by golly, she sells! I cut her right off. I said I couldn't believe that when she's actually had cancer she'd still believes in things like that. 

    Unfortunately it's a subject that really makes me angry right away. Like a cartoon character that turns red from their feet to their head and then steam comes out, like that. 

    If I'm not mistaken we recently lost a member on here who had the money to go all over the world and try various 'cures'.

    We have enough problems without losing money for cures that don't work.

    That being said, I might have to ask her about the frankincense after all. Ha ha.

    Jan

    LOL

    Jan:

    I am glad you are keeping your sense of humor.  I figure I will likely be dead before it is clear if any of these things work.  But when I do a risk/benefit analysis, what harm can spending ten dollars and taking some herbs do?  And what if they really do help with cancer or joint pain?  Actually, my back and joint pain are the best I have been since chemo.  I do not know if I can attribute that to boswellia, or if it is just being off chemo for a year.  But hey, if taking some supplements gives me a feeling of control, it is probably worth it for that alone.

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    #17
    JanJan63 said:

    Darn, now I look like a jerk.

    Darn, now I look like a jerk. I got mad at my sister because she was going to send me frankincense and I got all cranky about people trying to get me to use things that don't work and all the quacks out there who espouse stupid products or miracle cures. 

    It makes me cranky because so many things are just a waste of money and I loathe anyone who would take advantage of a person who is just trying to live and is desperate for hope. My sister's friend had suggested it. Of course, because she sells some line of home products and sells the frankincense, too. Recently I had another friend, who has recovered from breast cancer suggest essential oils. which. by golly, she sells! I cut her right off. I said I couldn't believe that when she's actually had cancer she'd still believes in things like that. 

    Unfortunately it's a subject that really makes me angry right away. Like a cartoon character that turns red from their feet to their head and then steam comes out, like that. 

    If I'm not mistaken we recently lost a member on here who had the money to go all over the world and try various 'cures'.

    We have enough problems without losing money for cures that don't work.

    That being said, I might have to ask her about the frankincense after all. Ha ha.

    Jan

    All What You Said JJ

    So many people preying on us.  I got royally SCREWED by a TCM pracitoner.  And so many snake oil salesmen.  

    There are some low risk/high reward things, like certain mushrooms, that can be looked at.

    But I have hung up, as polite as possible, on some friends into total quack things, often coming from one particular site.  And also pushing things like this  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_Mineral_Supplement, using your own urine or injecting peroxide.  URGH.

    Mind you, it is not I am against trying things.  I have.  But some of this is emotionally disturbed guano things :)

     

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #18
    You missed out

    You guys should have been here a several years ago. We had more than one member, (who did pass recently, as Jan mentioned) who travelled the world, spent their family savings, and tried things as wild as Puss injections.  All gone. They've all passed on. But, bless them, they gave it their best shot, and that was their choice. 

    Tru

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    #19
    Trubrit said:

    You missed out

    You guys should have been here a several years ago. We had more than one member, (who did pass recently, as Jan mentioned) who travelled the world, spent their family savings, and tried things as wild as Puss injections.  All gone. They've all passed on. But, bless them, they gave it their best shot, and that was their choice. 

    Tru

    Yup, Remember A Couple

    Lost At Sea...

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #20
    Trubrit said:

    You missed out

    You guys should have been here a several years ago. We had more than one member, (who did pass recently, as Jan mentioned) who travelled the world, spent their family savings, and tried things as wild as Puss injections.  All gone. They've all passed on. But, bless them, they gave it their best shot, and that was their choice. 

    Tru

    Was this because chemo would

    Was this because chemo would not work for them?

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    #21
    abita said:

    Was this because chemo would

    Was this because chemo would not work for them?

    Various Reasons

    Some because did not work or they did not want to try it after surgery or they went through too many rounds.  I am not sure there is any one particular common one.  I know I was looking at alternatives and trials when my cancer came back a year ago just to see if anything would work instead of going back on chemo.  I really do not want to go back on chemo.  My choice now is going back onto chemo (after I finish radiation for a new tumor) or start counting down my time. Don't have time anymore to see if alternatives or trial drugs kick in.  I am going back on chemo and hoping for something else down the road.

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