Supplements Herbal Supplements What Is Boswellia? Can this herb ease inflammation and pain? By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Facebook Twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 16, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT LinkedIn Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Premier Physical Therapy in Chicago. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Boswellia Used For? Possible Side Effects Dose What to Look For Frequently Asked Questions Boswellia is an extract from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata, a tree native to Africa and Arabia. It's also known as "Indian frankincense" or "olibanum." The herb is used in Ayurveda, one of the oldest traditional health practices in the world. Boswellia is rich in boswellic acids. These acids may have anti-inflammatory effects. This article explores the benefits of Boswellia. It also discusses where you can find it and what interactions and side effects to expect. Verywell / Hilary Allison What Is Boswellia Used For? Boswellia is used in essential oils or burned as incense. The oil is also used in food, cosmetics, soaps, and drinks. It is often taken by mouth or applied to the skin for: Asthma Crohn's disease Menstrual cramps Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Ulcerative colitis Some studies suggest that Boswellia may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. But large-scale, independent clinical trials are needed. Here's a look at findings from the available research: Osteoarthritis In a 2014 research review, experts analyzed trials of herbs used for osteoarthritis. They found evidence that Boswellia reduced pain and improved physical function compared to a placebo. A placebo is a treatment that doesn't contain active medication, like a sugar pill. Asthma A small 2015 study said Boswellia may help reduce the need for inhaler use in people with asthma. People in the study had mild to severe asthma. They used either asthma inhalers with an oral Boswellia supplement or the inhalers alone. After four weeks, those who took the Boswellia supplement needed to use the inhalers less often compared to those who didn't take the supplement. Inflammatory Bowel Conditions Research suggests that combining Boswellia and curcumin (turmeric) could help relieve pain in some bowel conditions. It could also improve gut health. In one small study, people with diverticulitis took 500 milligrams (mg) of curcumin and Boswellia twice daily for thirty days. After 30 days, 21 of 27 people reported less pain. Some felt relief in 10 days. In a lab study, researchers treated colon cells with a blend of curcumin and Boswellia. They suggested that the two herbs together might have a protective effect on the lining of the gut. The anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia have led some researchers to suggest chewing Boswellia gum to reduce mild lung symptoms of COVID-19. However, more research is needed to confirm this add-on therapy. Possible Side Effects Boswellia may be safe when taken by mouth for up to six months. It could be safe when applied to the skin for up to five weeks. But follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Boswellia may cause side effects, including: NauseaDiarrheaBloatingAcid refluxHeartburnAllergic reactions It may increase blood flow in the uterus. Pregnant and nursing women shouldn't take it. Boswellia may interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen. It may also interact with these drugs: Calcium channel blockers that treat high blood pressureAntibiotics such as cyclosporine and erythromycinProtease inhibitors used to treat HIV It's important to talk to your healthcare provider before using Boswellia. If you have gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may not be able to take the herb. Boswellia may interfere with blood clotting. Two case reports describe dangerously high INR in people taking the blood thinner Coumadin (warfarin) and Boswellia. INR is a test used to measure how long it takes blood to clot. Boswellia was considered the probable cause for the increase in both cases. If you're taking a blood thinner or have a condition that affects blood clotting, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Boswellia. Don't take it within two weeks of surgery. Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Dose There is no standard recommended dose of Boswellia. Different doses have been used in studies exploring the health benefits. In arthritis studies, 100 mg to 1000 mg of Boswellia extracts or 300 mg to 600 mg of Boswellia with other herbs were used daily. A cream containing 2% Boswellia was used on skin during radiation treatment. The cream was applied twice daily during therapy. What to Look For Boswellia can be found in many health food stores. It's sold as a supplement and blended with curcumin (turmeric) and other herbs. The quality of Boswellia supplements is an issue. Dietary supplements are not regulated in the U.S. For that reason, what's in some products may differ from what the label says. For example, some Boswellia products don't contain the six acids considered to be the active ingredients. That suggests the products may have been made from something other than Boswellia serrata. Although some natural products may reduce inflammation, don't use them in place of any medications prescribed by your healthcare provider. Some conditions can have long-term health effects if they aren't treated properly. If you have an inflammatory condition, your symptoms may keep you from doing everyday activities. You may be seeking ways to manage pain and find relief. Although Boswellia shows promise, more research is needed. If you want to try Boswellia, speak with your healthcare provider first to see if it's safe for you. You may also want to discuss using Boswellia with other herbs like ginger and turmeric. Summary Boswellia is the extract of the Boswellia serrata tree. It's been used in traditional health systems for centuries. The supplement may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. But more research is needed to confirm these benefits. There's some evidence to suggest Boswellia may help with arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel conditions. Larger studies would need to be done to understand the health effects. Boswellia has some side effects. It's hard to verify the quality of the ingredients in Boswellia supplements. And isn't recommended for people who are pregnant or nursing. Boswellia can also interact with some drugs, so it's vital that you talk with your healthcare provider before taking it. Frequently Asked Questions What is Boswellia used for? For centuries, the versatile extract has been used in:Religious ceremoniesPerfumes and cosmetics (thanks to the distinctive scent of the essential oils in the resin)Traditional medicine (especially Ayurveda) to treat a range of conditions including inflammatory diseases like arthritis, colitis, and asthma; swelling of the brain; and skin damaged by radiation Learn More: Natural Remedies for Radiation Side Effects Is it OK to take Boswellia every day? Probably, as long as you aren't taking any medications that may interact with it, such as certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Coumadin (warfarin). People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have gastroesophageal reflux disease likely should not take Boswellia at all. How long does it take for Boswellia to relieve arthritis? In at least one study, researchers recommended taking the herb for 4 weeks. It's important to note the supplement has not been studied enough to guarantee the timing of results. How much Boswellia should I take for arthritis? There's no standard dosage of Boswellia for any medical condition as there's such wide variation among products that contain it. However, some studies suggest taking 300 milligrams (mg) to 400 mg three times a day of an extract containing 60% boswellic acids for inflammatory diseases or asthma. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 15 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(5):CD002947. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002947.pub2 Ferrara T, De Vincentiis G, Di Pierro F. Functional study on Boswellia phytosome as complementary intervention in asthmatic patients. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015;19(19):3757–3762. Giacosa A, Riva A, Petrangolini G, et al. Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease management: an innovative food-grade formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts. Drugs Context. 2020;9:2020-9-2. doi:10.7573/dic.2020-9-2 Governa P, Marchi M, Cocetta V, et al. Effects of Boswellia Serrata Roxb. and Curcuma longa L. in an in vitro intestinal inflammation model using immune cells and caco-2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2018;11(4):126. doi:10.3390/ph11040126 Gomaa AA, Mohamed HS, Abd-Ellatief RB, et al. Boswellic acids/Boswellia serrata extract as a potential COVID-19 therapeutic agent in the elderly. Inflammopharmacology. 2021;29(4):1033-1048. doi:10.1007/s10787-021-00841-8 Ammon HP. Boswellic acids and their role in chronic inflammatory diseases. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;928:291–327. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_13 Ahangarpour A, Heidari H, Fatemeh RA, et al. Effect of Boswellia serrata supplementation on blood lipid, hepatic enzymes and fructosamine levels in type 2 diabetic patients. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2014;13(1):29. doi:10.1186/2251-6581-13-29 Finch A, Pillans P. P-glycoprotein and its role in drug-drug interactions. Aust Prescr 2014;37:137-9. doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2014.050 Roe AL, Wilcox R, Price JM, et al. An evaluation of potential inhibition of CYP3A4/5 and CYP2C9 enzymatic activity by Boswellia serrata extract. Applied In Vitro Toxicology. 2019; 5(1) doi.org/10.1089/aivt.2018.0023 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Boswellia. Togni S, Maramaldi G, Bonetta A, Giacomelli L, Di Pierro F. Clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy of Boswellia-based cream for prevention of adjuvant radiotherapy skin damage in mammary carcinoma: a randomized placebo controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015;19(8):1338-44. Crawford C, Boyd C, Berry K, Deuster P; HERB working group. Dietary ingredients requiring further research before evidence-based recommendations can be made for their use as an approach to mitigating pain. Pain Med. 2019;20(8):1619–1632. doi:10.1093/pm/pnz050 Siddiqui MZ. Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011;73(3):255-261. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.93507 Yu, G., Xiang, W., Zhang, T. et al. Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther 20, 225 (2020). doi 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6 Hamidpour R, Hamidpour S, Hamidpour M, et al. Frankincense ( rǔ xiāng; boswellia species): from the selection of traditional applications to the novel phytotherapy for the prevention and treatment of serious diseases. J Tradit Complement Med. 2013;3(4):221-226. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.119723 Additional Reading Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(5):CD002947. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002947.pub2. Ferrara T, De Vincentiis G, Di Pierro F. Functional study on Boswellia phytosome as complementary intervention in asthmatic patients. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015 Oct;19(19):3757-62. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Boswellia. Natural Medicines Database. Boswellia.