October 2004

Inflammatory conditions and ayurvedic medicine

by Virender Sodhi, MD (Ayurved), ND

Inflammation is a very normal desired effect in the body. To rid the body of all its ill effects, our body creates inflammation under different situations ‑‑ infections, toxic exposure, ischemia (shortage of blood supply), trauma and many other conditions. As soon as it has done its share of work, the body produces anti‑inflammatory processes to control the inflammation.

In a normal, healthy person, this process is in perfect balance. However, where there is an imbalance, our body does not stop producing inflammation. This results in conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, dermatitis, asthma, colitis, crohn's disease and many others. All these lie under the control of mental, emotional, physical, nutritional, environmental and even spiritual conditions.

Ayurved is the science of balance and teaches how to create a balance by following mental, emotional, and spiritual balancing with the assistance of nutrition, yoga, mediation, breathing exercises, herbs and supplements according to our individual constitution (Prakriti) and pathology (Vikriti).

Technically speaking, inflammation represents a major source of oxidation or free radical damage and ayurvedic medicine is blessed with an arsenal of wonderful herbs to control inflammations at different levels.

Boswellia serrata

Boswellia, prized in the Middle East as Frankincense and brought by the wise man, grows in India, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Extract of Boswellia has been used to treat arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease, and skin conditions.

***  Osteoarthritis and Boswellia. In combination form with Ashwagandha, turmeric and zinc, studies have shown positive effects in its treatment of osteoarthritis.

In a double blind placebo control study, patients showed a significant improvement in pain severity, and disability score.

In an animal study, the dogs showed improvement in intermittent lameness, localized pain and stiff gait. All external factors that aggravate lameness, such as "lameness when moving" and "lameness after a long rest" diminished gradually.

In another study, all patients receiving Boswellia treatment reported a decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion and increased walking distance. The frequency of swelling reduced considerably.

In my personal experience I have treated thousands of patients with a Boswellia preparation for osetoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. With a combination of the Panch Karma treatment, nutritional changes and yoga, we were able to take people off Prednisolone, methotrexate and embrel treatment.

***  Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and Boswellia. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease ‑‑ inflammatory diseases of the intestines ‑‑ are both dreaded and have high chances of inflicting colon cancer. The standard medical treatment options involve lifelong commitments that come with their own share of side effects.

In one study, patients receiving Boswellia preparation had an 82% remission as compared to 72% remission in sulfasalazine group. Similarly, in Crohn's disease, the results were comparable to mesalazine. 44 patients were treated with Boswellia and 39 patients were treated with mesalazine, Boswellia extract proved to be just as effective as the pharmaceutical drug.

***  Boswellia and asthma. In a study done in 1998, 40 patients took 300 mg of Boswellia preparation three times a week for six weeks. 72% showed significant improvement whereas only 27% of patients after receiving a placebo, showed improvement.

Typical doses of standardized extract of Boswellia serrata are 300‑400 mg standardized for boswellic acid three times per day. Boswellia is quite safe in therapeutic doses. There were no pathological changes observed in animals; up to 1000mg/kg of body weight and LD 50 was at greater than 2g/kg of body weight.

I recommend Ayush Herbs Inc., Boswelya Plus, which is a combination of many powerful anti‑inflammatory herbs. One tablet three times a day can be given for long periods of time without creating any undue side‑effects.

For more information about Dr. Virender Sodhi and the Ayurvedic Clinic, please visit www.ayurvedicscience.com. For the herbs listed above, please visit www.ayush.com.

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DISCLAIMER: This article is purely informative and should not replace the guidance of your physician. If you suffer from an illness, you should consult a physician before taking any herbs, vitamins, minerals or enzymes. Even if at the peak of health, it is best to consult a qualified practitioner before taking any dietary supplement.

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(Dr. Virender Sodhi was the first ayurvedic and naturopathic physician in the USA. In 1980, after completion of six years' medical training in India, where he received his MD (Ayurved), he served as professor for six years. In 1986, he came to the west to share ayurveda as part of a cultural exchange program. He graduated in 1988 from Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, again becoming a faculty member after graduation. Dr. Sodhi treats thousands of patients from the United States and around the world. He lectures extensively throughout the US and other countries, as well as conducts classes and seminars in ayurvedic medicine. Dr. Sodhi can be contacted at the Ayurvedic Clinic at 425‑453‑8022.)

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