Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. It’s a chronic condition that affects your joints, particularly the knees and hips. Osteoarthritis causes your cartilage to break down, resulting in pain and inflammation in the joint. This can lead to further complications such as secondary joint infection, bone erosion, and deformity over time. Fortunately, there are natural compounds that can help relieve symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis. These include curcumin from turmeric and Boswellia carterii (AKA Indian frankincense or Acacia catechu). Both herbs have been used for their pain-relieving properties for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic medicine.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects cartilage, the connective tissue that cushions the ends of the bones in your joints and prevents them from rubbing together. As you age, your joints naturally lose some of their cartilage, but the rate of this decrease can vary depending on your genes, your weight and level of physical activity, injuries, and use of medications. When the cartilage in a joint break down and disappears, the joint becomes less flexible, less mobile, and less able to withstand stress or loads. This can lead to pain and other symptoms like stiffness, joint swelling, and joint deformity.
Boswellia is an anti-inflammatory Ayurvedic herb from the Boswellia serrata tree that has been traditionally used to treat joint pain. Clinical studies have also shown that extracts from this herb can treat osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Boswellia contains compounds called boswellic acids that work in a couple of different ways. They have an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps to reduce pain and swelling. They also have a potent antioxidant effect that can help to slow the progression of OA. Boswellia is also effective against knee joint inflammation when used in combination with curcumin. It has been shown that Boswellia improves the overall efficacy of curcumin against osteoarthritis.
Curcumin is a compound found in turmeric root and has been used as a natural anti-inflammatory for centuries. It is just as effective as common anti-inflammatory drugs, but without the negative side effects. Curcumin works by regulating the body’s inflammatory response by reducing levels of cytokines and molecules that cause inflammation. It can also slow down the progression of cartilage degeneration that leads to OA. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties have also been shown to improve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, particularly when combined with Boswellia. Curcumin has also been found to be effective against arthritis when applied topically.
Both Boswellia and curcumin can be taken as supplements in a variety of forms, such as capsules or tablets, tablets, or liquid extracts. There are also combination supplements that include both Boswellia and curcumin. You can also try applying Boswellia and curcumin topically, either alone or in combination. This can be done in the form of a salve, cream, or ointment. Boswellia and curcumin can also be taken in combination as a compound called “BCM-95”. This is a standardized formulation of curcumin combined with Boswellia that is more effective against osteoarthritis than curcumin alone.
Although Boswellia and curcumin have been shown to have few side effects, they should be used with caution in some cases. Curcumin can cause some digestive issues in certain people, such as diarrhoea and nausea, particularly when taken in high doses. Boswellia can cause joint swelling, which is why people with arthritis are advised to use it with caution. If you have blood clotting issues or a chronic condition like haemophilia or leukaemia, you should consult a healthcare professional before taking Boswellia.
Knee osteoarthritis can be a debilitating condition, but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence. There are natural herbal remedies that can help you reduce joint pain and symptoms associated with it, such as joint swelling and stiffness. Curcumin and Boswellia are two herbal compounds that are effective against knee osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis. They can also be applied topically as ointments or salves. Curcumin and Boswellia are great herbal supplements to try if you’re looking for ways to naturally manage knee osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions.