Ayurvedic, one of the oldest holistic healing systems, has called on Boswellia to address a multitude of health concerns, especially conditions triggered by inflammation. As society turns back to our roots and explores and rediscovers nature’s medicine, we are finding that Boswellia should be incorporated into the routines of many, especially those affected by chronic inflammation and are suffering from pain and irritation.
Inflammation
Inflammation occurs when the body is defending itself from foreign substances. These substances can be simple irritants such as splinters or pathogens and can lead to infections. Your body releases the emergency chemicals, cytokines from the cells into the bloodstream in order to protect the affected tissues that are under distress. While we don't necessarily witness all of the action, what we may see and even feel is the reaction of redness and warmth due to the increased blood flow to the affected area. You may start to experience pain when the chemicals cause fluid to leak into the tissues, which causes swelling and stimulation to the nerves, resulting in pain and discomfort.
Acute and Chronic Inflammation
There are two main types of common inflammation. Acute inflammation relates to injuries and illnesses that are short term and will typically last just a few days. If you are suffering from acute inflammation, you may experience pain, redness, loss of function, swelling, and heat. This type of inflammation is usually a result of exposure to something in the environment or a foreign substance, such as a bee sting or a splinter that leads to injury or infection.
Chronic inflammation lasts much longer, anywhere from months to years, and is often much more severe. This happens when the defense response lingers and leaves your body in a constant state of alert. Chronic inflammation can occur for many reasons if acute inflammation causes are left untreated. Additionally, if a person becomes exposed to irritants, such as air pollution or chemicals, long-term, they may experience chronic inflammation. While inflammation is working to keep your body safe, sometimes, your body can mistake your cells and tissues as the bad guy, which can lead to autoimmune diseases. Chronic inflammation can cause damage to cells, tissue, and organs. Chronic inflammation can be linked to many diseases, including, but not limited to, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis (and other joint conditions), allergies, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.