A plant with potential!
When you hear the word frankincense, you probably don't think of horse feed first. But the positive properties of the tree resin can also be used in horse feeding.
Indian frankincense is obtained from the Salai tree ( Boswellia serrata ), which grows in the dry and mountainous regions of India. The valuable resin can be extracted by cutting into the bark of the trees. [1],[2]
What is frankincense good for?
Indian frankincense contains so-called boswellic acids, which have a positive effect on many metabolic processes in the body. Since these boswellic acids are very difficult to produce synthetically, we have to rely on natural sources, i.e. the resin of the Salai trees.
Frankincense for osteoarthritis
Especially in the treatment of joint problems such as arthrosis, Boswellia serrata increasingly well-known. In various studies on humans with knee osteoarthritis, a good effect of Boswellia serrata For example, in a study by Kimmatkar, the consumption of Indian frankincense led to et al. (2003) [3] after 8 weeks there was significantly less pain and swelling as well as improved mobility compared to the control group. Longer-term studies also showed good results. The positive effect of frankincense even lasted for some time after the preparation was discontinued. [4]
Furthermore, outstanding results were achieved with the use of Boswellia serrata in combination with Curcuma longa In some cases, better results have been achieved in humans than with medication. [5] There are even synergistic effects when combining curcumin and Boswellia serrata [6] This means that the effects of the two components reinforce each other when used together.
What about the horses?
The mutually reinforcing effects of curcumin and Boswellia serrata are used, for example, in the Hestevard BozMerix! We therefore recommend BozMerix especially for patients with arthritis, acute joint problems or older horses that benefit from specific support of the musculoskeletal system. BozMerix can also be fed as an excellent supplement to medication. Of course, a veterinarian should always be consulted in the case of joint problems so that the right therapy can be found for the individual case.
Hestevard Hesteflex also makes use of the anti-inflammatory effect of Boswellia serrata. In combination with MSM and the antioxidant vitamin E and vitamin C, Hesteflex is the right choice for prevention, for joint and tendon problems and also for younger horses or for greater strain.
Would you like to try Hesteflex or BozMerix? Order a free sample of the exclusive veterinary products further down this page.
Have you already tested it and would like to order more? Then order Hesteflex and BozMerix from your vet!
[1] https://www.wildfind.com/pflanzen/weihrauchbaeume-und-weihrauch
[2] https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/indischer-weihrauch.php
[3] N. Kimmatkar; V. Thawani; L. Hingorani; R. Khiyani (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
[4] S Sontakke, V Thawani, S Pimpalkhute, P Kabra, S Babhulkar, L Hingorani (2007) Open, randomized, controlled clinical trial of Boswellia serrata extract as compared to valdecoxib in osteoarthritis of knee, Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 39, Issue: 1, Pages: 27-29
[5] R. Kizhakkedath (2013) Clinical evaluation of a formulation containing Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts in the management of knee osteoarthritis, Molecular Medicine Reports, Vol. 8 Issue 5; Pages 1542-1548
[6] Haroyan, A., Mukuchyan, V., Mkrtchyan, N. et al. 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 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-2062-z
