Bark & resin

Bark and resin: supplements from trees, shrubs and natural resins

Bark and resin are among the oldest natural products used by humans. Frankincense resin from the boswellia tree, mastic resin from the mastic shrub and the bark of trees such as arjuna and pau d'arco have been used for centuries in Ayurveda and South American and Mediterranean traditions, among others.

In this collection you will also find two natural substances that are not bark or resin, but are related: shilajit, a resinous substance from rocks in the Himalayas, and propolis, which bees make from tree resin.

What products can you find in this collection?

The collection contains boswellia serrata, shilajit (also known as mumijo), arjuna bark (Terminalia arjuna), pau d'arco, mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus), propolis, cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), magnolia bark, slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) and cascara sagrada. The products come from, among others, Swanson, Vit4ever, NOW Foods, German Elite Nutrition, Osavi, Himalaya, Jarrow Formulas and LUTO Supplements.

Boswellia: frankincense resin

Boswellia serrata, known as shallaki in Ayurveda, is a tree from India. When the bark is cut, a gum resin is released. This resin is dried and processed into an extract. Boswellia extracts are usually standardized to boswellic acids, sometimes with a separately stated AKBA content. You can find boswellia as capsules and tablets in various dosages.

Shilajit: resin from the mountains

Shilajit is a dark, resinous substance that seeps from rocks in high mountains such as the Himalayas and the Altai in summer. It is formed from slowly decomposed plant material and contains fulvic acid and minerals, among other things. Shilajit is available as pure resin, such as Osavi's Himalaya Shilajit, and as an extract in capsules. Pay attention to the standardized amount of fulvic acid and choose a product whose purity is tested.

Bark: arjuna, pau d'arco and cat's claw

With bark supplements, the inner or outer bark of a tree is dried and ground or extracted. Arjuna comes from India and is offered in this collection as ground bark and as a 10:1 extract. Pau d'arco is the inner bark of the South American lapacho tree. Cat's claw is a climbing plant from the Amazon region whose bark is used. Slippery elm is the inner bark of the North American red elm.

Mastic gum and propolis

Mastic gum is the resin of the mastic shrub, which grows mainly on the Greek island of Chios. The resin is traditionally chewed and is available as a supplement in capsules. Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from buds and bark of trees and use in the beehive. Propolis extract is often standardized to the flavonoid or polyphenol content. If you are allergic to bee products, do not use propolis.

Capsules, tablets or pure resin

Most products in this collection are capsules or tablets with a fixed dosage. Pure shilajit resin is supplied in a jar with a measuring spoon and you dissolve it in warm water or tea. Resin has a pronounced, sometimes bitter taste; those who prefer to avoid that choose a capsule with an extract.

Use and safety

Stick to the recommended daily dose on the packaging and do not use bark supplements for longer than indicated on the packaging. A dietary supplement is not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. These products are not intended for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding, unless otherwise stated. If you use medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist first.