Indian frankincense (Boswellia Serrata) is a medium sized branching tree that grows in the dry, mountainous regions of India. Our extract of Indian frankincense is standarized for the active triterpenoids, called boswellic acids.

Boswellia has great properties that makes it an ideal active for skin care. Boswellia Serrata is an elastase (protease) and hyaluronidase inhibitor, a life preserver for the dermal matrix. It is also an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, the reason why this extract has been used since Biblical times to alleviate arthritis. The enzyme 5-lipoxygenase catalyses the first two steps in the oxygenation of arachidonic acid, which is converted to leukotrienes. Leukotrienes affect inflammation, part of the immune response that defends us from pathogens. Unfortunately, leukotrienes can also be mediators of hypersensitivity reactions and allergy.

Each tube is enough for about 12 fl oz of cream or lotion at approximately 1.5% concentration (5 g in 360 mL cream), so we recommend the use of 1.6 grams in 4 oz of cream. The powder will not dissolve immediately but will release components slowly into the cream or lotion and can be combined with our other actives. Use in your favorite cream or add to our Canvas Base Cream, European Cream, or our Sea Kelp Ultramarine.

Huang, Mou-Tuan; Badmaev, Vladimir; Ding, Yu; Liu, Yue; Xie, Jian-Guo; Ho, Chi-Tang. (2000) Anti-tumor and anti-carcinogenic activities of triterpenoid, -boswellic acid. BioFactors (2000), 13(1-4), 225-230.

Ammon HP. , Safayhi H., Mack T., Sabieraj J. (1993) Mechanism of antiinflammatory actions of curcumine and boswellic acids. J Ethnopharmacol.: 38(2-3):113-9.

Calzavara-Pinton, P, Zane, C, Facchinetti, E. , Capezzera R., and Pedretti, A.(2010) Topical Boswellic acids for treatment of photoaged skin. Dermatological Therapy, 23, Suppl. 1:S28-S32

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