Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Similar Supplements
Sources & What to Look For
Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. An extract from theBoswellia serratatree, boswellia is an herbal remedy often used inAyurveda, one of the oldest alternative health practices in the world.
The herbal extract is made from Boswellia resin found inside the tree. Some people use this supplement to reduce inflammation and treat other health issues, but more research needs to be done to fully understand its effectiveness.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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How Boswellia Works
Boswellia is rich in boswellic acids—components found in the resin inside the Boswellia tree. Boswellic acids are thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Uses of Boswellia
Boswellia has many proposed uses. The resin from the Boswellia tree is commonly used to make oral supplements and topical creams.
Some studies suggest that Boswellia may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but large-scale, independent clinical trials are needed.
Osteoarthritis
Boswellia was found to relieve osteoarthritis pain while improving function in affected joints. It was noted in the analysis that using at least 100 to 250 milligrams (mg) of Boswellia for at least four weeks was best.
However, the researchers also noted that additional, high-quality, large trials evaluating varying dosages are needed.
Asthma
A small 2015 studyshowed promise for using Boswellia as a complementary treatment forasthma. Study participants had mild to severe asthma and were randomized to use either an asthma inhaler plus an oral formulation of Boswellia extract or the inhaler alone.
After four weeks, those who took the Boswellia extract needed to use their inhalers about half as often as those who did not take the supplement. Boswellia is thought to suppress airway inflammation, opening up a path for normal breathing.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
It has been suggested that Boswellia could improve symptoms ofinflammatory bowel disease(IBD). However, because the research is limited, Boswellia’s usefulness in IBD is still debated.
One 2001 clinical study found the gum resin from the Boswellia serrata tree was an effective treatment option for chronic colitis, a type of IBD. Study participants with colitis took 900 milligrams of a Boswellia serrata gum resin preparation divided into three doses a day for six weeks. Results showed that 90% of participants saw improvements in colitis symptoms and 70% went into remission. However, the sample size in this study was small.
Another 2011 study using a Boswellia serrata extract found it to be no better than a placebo in maintenance therapy ofCrohn’s diseaseremission (Crohn’s disease is another type of IBD). However, the result suggested Boswellia serrata was generally safe and well tolerated, even with long-term use.
Larger, higher-quality studies are needed before recommending Boswellia for use in IBD. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
The anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia have led some researchers to suggest chewing Boswellia gum could reduce mild lung symptoms of COVID-19. However, more research is needed to confirm this add-on therapy.
Other Purported Uses
Boswellia supplements have also been studied for:
Is it okay to take turmeric and boswellia together?It’s generally safe to take turmeric and boswellia together, and some research suggests the combination may be more effective than taking either supplement alone for certain conditions. One study found a combination supplement containing both curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) and Boswellia was more effective than curcumin alone in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Is it okay to take turmeric and boswellia together?
It’s generally safe to take turmeric and boswellia together, and some research suggests the combination may be more effective than taking either supplement alone for certain conditions. One study found a combination supplement containing both curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) and Boswellia was more effective than curcumin alone in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
What Are the Side Effects of Boswellia?
It’s important to note that Boswellia supplements are not to be used in place of usual medical treatment for health conditions. Instead, Boswellia may be used as a complementary treatment.
Boswellia is generally considered safe to use. However, it is possible to experience side effects when taking Boswellia.
Common Side Effects
Boswellia may cause side effects, such as:
You may not experience any side effects at all. When they do occur, side effects are often mild and temporary.It’s important to use Boswellia as directed to lower your risk of side effects. Be sure to talk with a healthcare provider before starting Boswellia supplements.
Severe Side Effects
On rare occasions, allergic reactions can occur when taking Boswellia. This may be more likely when using topical Boswellia.
It has been reported that taking high doses of Boswellia while pregnant may cause amiscarriage. Boswellia is thought to increase blood flow to the uterus, and this increased blood flow could potentially lead to pregnancy complications, including miscarriage.However, valid evidence supporting this claim is not available.
Regardless, it may be best to avoid Boswellia while pregnant. A healthcare provider can help you understand what supplements are safe to take while pregnant.
Boswellia has been deemed a safe supplement to use in various studies.It comes with few precautions.
Boswellia may also be safe for children to take. However, it would be best to talk with your child’s pediatrician before giving your child Boswellia.
If you have any existing medical conditions or are pregnant orbreastfeeding, talk with a healthcare provider before starting Boswellia. It may not be suitable for everyone.
Dosage: How Much Boswellia Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage is appropriate for your individual needs.
There is no standard recommended dose of Boswellia. Different amounts have been used in studies exploring the potential health benefits of Boswellia.
Many Boswellia products and supplements are made differently, making dosage standardization challenging.Dosage may also depend on how much active boswellic acid is in the supplement.
One review suggested a recommended dose of 250 mg to 500 mg two to three times per day. However, it did not state for which conditions this dose would be best.
For osteoarthritis, a Boswellia dosage of at least 100 mg to 250 mg for four weeks has been used in clinical studies.
Boswellia has also shown benefits for people with chroniccolitiswhen used at a dose of 900 mg per day, divided into three daily doses over six weeks.
In one study looking at people undergoingradiation, a cream that contained 2% Boswellia was used. The cream was applied twice daily during radiation therapy and reduced skin reddening and the need for topical steroids.
Supplement Facts
Active Ingredient(s):Boswellic acid
Legal Status:Legal in the United States and available over the counter (OTC)
Suggested Dose:Dosage varies based on use and product. The average dose of Boswellia is 300 mg three times a day.
Safety Considerations:Boswellia is likely safe, and side effects are typically minimal. Boswellia may interact with various medications.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Boswellia?
Boswellia is not an essential nutrient that your body needs for daily living. Because of this, there is no recommended daily intake or upper limit (UL).
No events of Boswellia overdose or toxicity have been reported.
Regardless, it’s important to take Boswellia as directed and avoid taking extra. As with other supplements, side effects become more likely with higher doses of Boswellia.
Boswellia may interact with certain medications. However, there may be insufficient evidence to support specific claims regarding interactions. Therefore, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider about taking Boswellia if you take any medications.
Onein vitro studylooking at potential drug interactions with Boswellia found that the risk of drug interactions was low. However, researchers cautioned that people takingwarfarin, a blood thinner, should use Boswellia with caution.
It’s important to note that because this study was performed in vitro, it’s unclear whether the same results will be seen in humans. More high-quality human studies using Boswellia are needed to make further conclusions.
Regarding warfarin, two case reports describe elevated international normalized ratio (INR) in people taking the blood thinner along with 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, possibly due to inhibiting an enzyme needed to metabolize warfarin.
It is essential to carefully read your Boswellia supplement label’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Boswellia
Store your supplements in a cool, dry place, such as a cabinet that is out of the reach of children and pets. Boswellia supplements should not come into direct contact with sunlight or be exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Discard Boswellia supplements once expired and as indicated on the packaging. Some supplement bottles may be recyclable.
If Boswellia isn’t the right supplement for you, you may try other options.
For osteoarthritis, other supplements that have been studied include:
Supplements other than Boswellia that are sometimes used to help manage IBD include:
Regardless of your health conditions, you should consult a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement to ensure it’s the best choice for you and your health needs.
Sources of Boswellia and What to Look For
Boswellia is not naturally found in foods, but you can take it as an oral supplement or use it as a topical cream. It can also be found in soaps, lotions, detergents, and perfumes.
Boswellia Supplements
You can find oral Boswellia supplements in capsules, tablets, and powders. You can also find it as a topical cream. Many Boswellia supplements are gluten-free, vegan, and/or vegetarian, making them an acceptable choice for various diets.
Summary
Boswellia supplements are rich in boswellic acids and come from the extract of theBoswellia serratatree.
Some evidence suggests Boswellia may help with arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel conditions. There are few side effects associated with taking Boswellia, and it is generally considered safe.
Although Boswellia shows promise overall, more research is needed. If you want to try Boswellia, speak with your healthcare provider first to see if it’s safe for you.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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