What Is Boswellia?

Boswellia is an extract sourced from the gum resin produced by the Boswellia serrata, a branching tree native to Africa and Arabia. Also known as "Indian frankincense" or "olibanum," boswellia is commonly used in ayurveda.

Boswellia is rich in boswellic acids, substances that may have anti-inflammatory effects. 

What Is Boswellia Used For?

Boswellia serrata and other species of boswellia are used in essential oils or burned as incense. The oil is also used in food, cosmetics, soaps, and beverages.

In herbal medicine, boswellia is sometimes taken by mouth or applied to the skin to manage the following conditions:

• Asthma
• Collagenous arthritis
• Crohn's disease
• Menstrual cramps
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ulcerative colitis

Some studies suggest that boswellia may have some anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, but large-scale, industry-independent clinical trials are needed.

Here's a look at several findings from the available research:

Osteoarthritis Pain

For a report published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2014, researchers analyzed previously published trials testing the effects of herbal supplements for osteoarthritis. Their analysis of studies involving boswellia found evidence that it reduced pain (as measured by a pain scale) and improved physical function compared to a placebo.

Asthma

A small 2015 study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, Boswellia may help reduce the need for inhalation therapy in people with persistent asthma. Participants in the study (who had mild-to-severe persistent asthma) received either inhalation therapy with an oral boswellia supplement or inhalation therapy alone.

After four weeks of treatment, those who took the Boswellia supplement in addition to the inhalation therapy had a decrease in the number of inhalations needed compared to those who had inhalation therapy alone.

Crohn’s Disease

A study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that a boswellia extract may not help people with Crohn’s disease who are in remission. After 12 months of treatment with a boswellia extract, there was no significant difference in relapse time, the severity of symptoms, or maintenance of remission.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

In a 2007 study involving 31 people with collagenous colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic diarrhea), researchers found that taking a boswellia extract three times daily for six weeks was not more effective than a placebo when comparing clinical remission, lab testing, or quality of life.

Possible Side Effects

Boswellia is likely safe when taken by mouth for up to six months. Boswellia is possibly safe when applied to the skin for up to five weeks. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

Boswellia has been known to cause nausea, diarrhea, bloating, acid reflux, heartburn, and allergic reactions. It may stimulate blood flow in the uterus. Pregnant and nursing women shouldn't take boswellia.

Boswellia may interact with medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs like ibuprofen and drugs that are substrates of P-Glycoprotein (P-Gp), so be sure to consult your healthcare provider before using it. If you have gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may not be able to take boswellia.

Two case reports describe dangerously elevated INR (a test used to measure blood clotting) in people who were taking warfarin (Coumadin), a type of drug often referred to as a "blood thinner". Boswellia was considered the probable cause in both cases.

If you're taking any type of blood thinner or have a condition that affects blood clotting, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking boswellia. It shouldn't be taken within two weeks of scheduled surgery.

Dosage and Preparation

There is no recommended dose of boswellia. Various doses have been used in research when investigating different health benefits of boswellia.

For example, for studies investigating osteoarthritis, 100-1000 mg of boswellia extracts or 300-600 mg of boswellia extract in combination with other herbs has been used daily. And for ulcerative colitis a treatment of 350 mg three times daily for six weeks has been used.

A cream containing 2 percent boswellia was used in a study investigating the herb's effect on skin during radiation treatment. The cream was applied twice daily during radiation therapy.

What to Look For

Available in many health food stores, boswellia is sold in supplement form and in formulas containing curcumin (turmeric) and other herbs.

The quality and purity of boswellia supplements is an issue. Due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label.

For example, boswellia products have been found not to contain any of the six boswellic acids (considered to be the active ingredients), suggesting the use of a different species instead of boswellia serrata.

Although some natural approaches may help to reduce inflammation, it's important to not delay treatment or stop taking your prescribed treatment, as certain conditions can have longer-term health effects if they aren't treated properly.

If you have an inflammatory condition, your symptoms may be keeping you from doing everyday activities. You may be seeking ways to further manage your pain and find relief.

Although boswellia shows promise for certain conditions, further research is still needed from large-scale clinical trials to confirm these effects. If you're still thinking of trying boswellia, speak with your healthcare provider first to see if it's appropriate (and safe) for you and whether it can become a part of your treatment plan, possibly in combination with other herbs with anti-inflammatory properties, like ginger and turmeric.