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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by morganator on November 30, 2009, at 23:11:09
I just started taking Boswellia for my musculoskeletal issues. When I did some research on it I found that it may also help with depression and anxiety, amongst other things like arthritis, crohn's disease, asthma, and even cancer.
Here are some links with information on the antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of Boswellia.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520110415.htm
http://personalitymooddisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/frankincense_may_ease_depression
Posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2009, at 0:04:31
In reply to Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by morganator on November 30, 2009, at 23:11:09
Thanks what type of musculoskeletal problems do you have? Phillipa
Posted by morganator on December 1, 2009, at 3:40:45
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety » morganator, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2009, at 0:04:31
I've had five joints scoped in the past year-both hips, both knees, and my left wrist for carpal tunnel. Three of these surgeries left my joint in worse shape than it was before due to scare tissue and never damage as a result of surgery.
I have piriformis syndrome where my piriformis muscle is inflamed and irritating my sciatic nerve. This makes my calves fasciculate often and leaves them constantly sore. When I flex them they cramp up very easily.
I have a slightly herniated disc in my L5 but this is not a big deal. The bigger deal is my lower back stiffness and discomfort.
I have tennis elbow in both elbows and they snap all of time.
Much of the lower body issues started when I was 11 and tore my ACL on my right knee in half when I was playing youth league football. I still don't have an ACL. Then when I was 21 I broke and dislocated my right hip in a bad car accident. Despite this I stayed very active. I started playing basketball when I was 28 and kept playing till I was 33. I did this even after I jumped off a 20 ft. high rock in Great Falls Va. and landed in 3 ft. of water smashing my right shin into a rock. Amazingly I did not tear anything in my right knee(I may have slightly torn my meniscus) but I basically had a hole in my shin just below my patella tendon. After this running long distance was never the same. For some reason sprinting up and down the basketball court did not bother me as much.
I also had a friend push him and I off a 2 story balcony at one of my best friend's house warming parties. I tried to make sure we didn't land on our heads as he was basically on top of me holding on to me while we were falling. When we landed he bounced off of me and I flipped backward landing on my hyper-extended left leg. So, I hurt my left knee. He was joking around with me acting like he was going to push me off(ha ha real funny). When he realized that he actually did he tried to pull me back and I grabbed on to him and we both went off together. We landed perfectly on slightly sloped grass. Oh I forgot to mention that this is the same friend that fell asleep at the wheel going 100 mph resulting in my broken and dislocated hip. He now works for my father and is still a very good friend.
Then I foolishly worked for another friend's moving company during for two summers during my time off from the elementary school I was working at as an instructional assistant for LD students. This is what really did me in. And I was 33 and 34 at the time, not good ages to be doing moving work. And here I am, turning 37 in less than a month but feeling more like 67.
Posted by Katgirl on December 1, 2009, at 9:45:24
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by morganator on December 1, 2009, at 3:40:45
Wow, that is a list of injuries. How horrible!! Do you think you may have developed something like fibromyalgia from all the trauma? Have you tried massage therapy?
So do you smell the boswellia or put it on you or what? Have you seen a difference?
Posted by Sigismund on December 1, 2009, at 16:24:43
In reply to Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by morganator on November 30, 2009, at 23:11:09
I've survived for years on it (arthritis).
No way could the pharmaceutical industry come up with anything to match it.
Look at what they do come up with....take their NSAIDs for 5 years and you end up with your gut resectioned.It's frankincense, isn't it?
Posted by morganator on December 1, 2009, at 17:27:09
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by Katgirl on December 1, 2009, at 9:45:24
Don't have anything like fibro yet and I plan on doing whatever I can to avoid developing it. I have so much nerve damage I am afraid that things will get worse fast if I don't start taking action and get out of my depressed and anxious funk.
I'm actually going to massage therapy tomorrow. I am lucky to have a father that is willing to support me financially as long as he is contributing to things that will help me get better. Yeah I have been so active my whole life-dancing, playing basketball, working out religiously-that it is quite devastating to have so much going on and not feel like I can simply enjoy things the way I used to just a few years ago. But I brought it on myself and now I am paying for it. It doesn't help that I am bipolar. I think being physical and going out and partying whenever I felt like it along with Zoloft helped manage up my depression and anxiety for years.
I do think I already notice a difference since starting Boswellia just a few days ago. Though I think the real benefits start becoming noticeable after a few weeks of taking it.
As far as it improving my mood, I swear I think I noticed a difference right off the bat. It has a sort of calming and uplifting effect at the same time. I think it is relieving the headache I think I have been experiencing due to weening off Zyprexa. I'm still on Depakote and Zoloft.
Posted by morganator on December 1, 2009, at 17:35:05
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by Sigismund on December 1, 2009, at 16:24:43
Yes it is frankincense. There is a newer supposedly cleaner version of boswellia called 5 Loxin. It is a bit expensive but it might be worth checking out. I've also read that boswellia can be naturally contaminated with some toxin-can't remember what it is. Here is a thread from Imminst forum. They eventually start talking about it's mood enhancing and nootropic effects.
There are some mechanisms by which boswellia may work on depression through reducing inflammation. At least that is what I believe the articles said.
What brand do you use? I am using Himalaya brand right now but may switch to 5 Loxin.
Posted by Sigismund on December 1, 2009, at 17:51:34
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by morganator on December 1, 2009, at 17:35:05
For arthritis
http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item01303/ArthroMax-with-Theaflavins.html
For BPH
http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item01475/Ultra-Natural-Prostate-with-5-LOXIN-and-Standardized-Lignans.html
both containing the 5 Loxin formulation thing.
Posted by morganator on December 1, 2009, at 21:48:55
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety » morganator, posted by Sigismund on December 1, 2009, at 17:51:34
Thanks. Not feeling the mood relief that I thought I was getting from boswellia.
I will check out those sights.
Posted by bleauberry on December 2, 2009, at 5:30:58
In reply to Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by morganator on November 30, 2009, at 23:11:09
You may also want to check out Curcumin, which is the king in the plant anti-inflammatory category. It is also a decent antidepressant for people. Plants have so many unknown synergistic actions, unlike single molecule drugs, that we don't know everything they do or how they do it. Of the hundreds of things Curcumin probably does, one of them is a mild MAOI.
Many of the anti-Lyme herbs also fit the description of what you are looking for. Japanese Knotwood, Andrographis, for example.
I am constantly rotating various herbs in trials to see what I can tolerate for Lyme, but the one that seems to be a keeper is Japanese Knotwood. My wrist tendonitis is virtually gone, tingling/numbing stuff gone, daily headaches are now maybe once or twice a month. I used to eat Advil everyday, now it is a rare thing to need it.
I would suggest buying a book called The Book Of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood. It is not scientific, but packed full of the hidden greatness found in real practice amongst herbal clinicians in various herbs. For example, how a plant that deer flock to (as in, they are deer tick infested creatures) in the snow turns out to be a Lyme cure for many people...Teasel. For boils, carbuncles, furunculosis, hidradenitis supporativa...nothing is more rapid and remarkable than Burdock root capsules....even though this not one of the things that herb is touted for. For sure Burdock has also cured Lyme when all else failed, even though it is not touted as a Lyme treatment. Lots of stuff like that. I have discovered some hidden gems in that book and I know for sure you would too. Obviously my focus when reading is primarily on iniflammation, infection, and such, and yours would be unique to you. Once you find the gems that pertain to you, some further research on your chosen ones would give you quite an ammunition toolbox. Another excellent author of herbals is Stephan Buhner.
Posted by Katgirl on December 2, 2009, at 10:50:19
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by bleauberry on December 2, 2009, at 5:30:58
Herbs haven't been overly kind to me in my past attempts. But I can't take ibuprofen etc because of GI upset, so it would be nice to have an anti-inflammatory I could try. What is the side effect profile of Boswellia??
Posted by Sigismund on December 2, 2009, at 18:11:28
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by Katgirl on December 2, 2009, at 10:50:19
>What is the side effect profile of Boswellia??
No side effects that I have experienced. None.
I also take curcumin, for a ton of good reasons.
Posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2009, at 22:00:11
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by Sigismund on December 2, 2009, at 18:11:28
Sigi example? Love PJ
Posted by Sigismund on December 3, 2009, at 0:51:32
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety » Sigismund, posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2009, at 22:00:11
>Sigi example?
Example of a non-existent side effect profile?
Boswellia and curcumin keep my arthritis in check, optimise lipid levels, and help prevent atherosclerosis and cancer.
Show me a drug made by man that does that.
I'd accept a trade off too (fun for damage) but not a rotten deal.
Posted by morganator on December 4, 2009, at 23:08:30
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety » Phillipa, posted by Sigismund on December 3, 2009, at 0:51:32
Have you ever heard about platelet rich plasma therapy? It might be worth checking out if you have deteriorating joint issues.
Posted by bulldog2 on December 5, 2009, at 12:03:41
In reply to Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by morganator on November 30, 2009, at 23:11:09
> I just started taking Boswellia for my musculoskeletal issues. When I did some research on it I found that it may also help with depression and anxiety, amongst other things like arthritis, crohn's disease, asthma, and even cancer.
>
> Here are some links with information on the antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of Boswellia.
>
> http://www.thinkgene.com/incense-is-psychoactive-scientists-identify-the-biology-behind-the-ceremony/
>
> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520110415.htm
>
> http://personalitymooddisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/frankincense_may_ease_depressionBy the way The Life Extension Foundation makes a concentrated boswellia extract under the name Loxin-5.
Posted by morganator on December 5, 2009, at 17:48:22
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by bulldog2 on December 5, 2009, at 12:03:41
Yeah you can get 5-loxin from several distributors. I think 5-loxin is a trademarked product made by a company that sells it to other companies like LEF. Then they put it in their formulations or sell it by itself. You can order 5-Loxin by itself. I am going to try it. So far I think I am noticing the benefits of taking organic Boswellia.
Posted by Sigismund on December 5, 2009, at 21:08:01
In reply to Re: To Sigismund, posted by morganator on December 4, 2009, at 23:08:30
No, I hadn't heard of that. As it happens I have a tendon injury.....I don't understand it well, one of those baffling shoulder problems, but there is a small tendon tear.
Thanks, Morgan.
Posted by morganator on December 6, 2009, at 1:08:14
In reply to Re: To Sigismund » morganator, posted by Sigismund on December 5, 2009, at 21:08:01
Yeah definitely check it out and try to search for a doc in your area that does prolotherapy and prp. Hopefully you will find one. It may help with osteoarthritis as well. The only drawback is that insurance usually only covers the procedure and will not pay for the use of the centrifuge. So you may have to dish out 200 bucks per treatment. This treatment and stem cell treatments on the rise will soon become mainstream and insurance companies will pay most of the cost.
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on December 6, 2009, at 12:22:12
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety, posted by bulldog2 on December 5, 2009, at 12:03:41
Hi:
I just ordered some 5-Loxin from Life Extension Foundation! I have R.A. (as well as some OA now) which gets really bad at this time of year (stress+sugar=pain+depression).
I take so many supplements now I don't know if I can choke one more down, but this one sounded well worth the effort!I'll let you know how it works!
Thanks for the info!
Gayle
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2009, at 19:20:13
In reply to Re: Boswellia-inflammation, depression, and anxiety » bulldog2, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on December 6, 2009, at 12:22:12
Gayle seriously what other supplements do you take? Thanks Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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