Rudrappa GH, Murthy M, Saklecha S, Kumar Kare S, Gupta A, Basu I. Fast pain relief in exercise-induced acute musculoskeletal pain by turmeric-boswellia formulation: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded multicentre study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022;101(35):e30144. View abstract. Osteoarthritis. Taking certain Boswellia serrata extracts alone or together with other ingredients can somewhat reduce pain and improve movement in people with osteoarthritis. Safayhi H, Sailer ER, and Amnon HP. 5-lipoxygenase inhibition by acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) by a novel mechanism. Phytomed 1996;3(1):71-72.

Sengupta K, Alluri KV, Satish AR, et al. A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study of the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin. Arthritis Res Ther 2008;10:R85. View abstract. Chopra A, Lavin P, Patwardhan B, Chitre D. Randomized double blind trial of an an aayurvedic plant derived formulation for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 2000;27:1365-72. View abstract.

Despite the remarkable health benefits of this herb, Boswellia serrata is associated with various concerning side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, skin rash, and potential liver damage. However, most of these side effects only appear when Boswellia serrata is used in high concentrations; moderate use is rarely associated with negative side effects. While the existing research on boswellia is promising, it is still at an early stage. More clinical trials and studies in humans are necessary to confirm the health benefits of using boswellia. Chopra A, Saluja M, Tillu G, Sarmukkaddam S, Venugopalan A, Narsimulu G, Handa R, Sumantran V, Raut A, Bichile L, Joshi K, Patwardhan B. Ayurvedic medicine offers a good alternative to glucosamine and celecoxib in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, controlled equivalence drug trial. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013;52(8):1408-17. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182 Boswellia extracts showed some promise in treating asthma, 7 rheumatoid arthritis, 8 Crohn’s disease, 9 knee osteoarthritis, 10 12 13 and collagenous colitis. 11 However, all the included trials had flaws: the most common limitations were small sample size and incomplete reporting of data. The largest study included 102 patients, which is not large considering that this was a non-superiority trial. 9 Crucially, little independent replication was found; for only one of the five different indications (osteoarthritis) had more than one randomised clinical trial been published. 10 12 13 A botanical (medicine) Boswellia Serrata is available in powder form or as an extract in varying strengths. Kulkarni RR, Patki PS, Jog VP, et al. Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. J Ethnopharmacol 1991;33:91-5. View abstract. Liu, Z., et al. (2015). Boswellic acid attenuates asthma phenotypes by downregulation of GATA3 via pSTAT6 inhibition in a murine model of asthma.Sharma S, Thawani V, Hingorani L, et al. Pharmacokinetic study of 11-Keto beta-Boswellic acid. Phytomedicine 2004;11:255-60. View abstract. In addition, Boswellia is believed to play a role in maintaining healthy matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which supports connective tissue structural composition. MMPs, are a large group of (zinc dependant) enzymes which cleave the constituents of the extracellular matrix and are thought to play a role in joint destruction. Boswellia for dogs, cats and horses For more formal applications, the resin of the tree is allowed to harden and is then processed into various supplements, beverages, cosmetics, and soaps, all of which have the efficiency to deliver notable benefits for regular users. This herbal concoction can be found in natural health stores and from trained herbalists. Boswellia serrata is a rich source of boswellic acid, as well as various types of terpenes, which have a range of effects on the body. [2] Benefits of Boswellia Serrata

The evidence evaluated here may be encouraging, but it is not convincing. Not enough large randomised clinical trials have been published for any condition. The medications used in these trials cannot be directly compared in terms of contents and strength. The pharmacokinetics and optimal dose of B serrata extracts are largely unknown; usually 600-3000 mg gum resin per day or equivalents are recommended for oral intake. 18 Source of funding or sponsorship was undisclosed in all but one trial. 13 Roy, S., Khanna, S., Krishnaraju, A. V., Subbaraju, G. V., Yasmin, T., Bagchi, D., and Sen, C. K. Regulation of vascular responses to inflammation: inducible matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression in human microvascular endothelial cells is sensitive to antiinflammatory Boswellia. Antioxid.Redox Signal. 2006;8(3-4):653-660. View abstract.Calzavara-Pinton P, Zane C, Facchinetti E, et al. Topical Boswellic acids for treatment of photoaged skin. Dermatol Ther 2010;23:S28-32. View abstract.

Boswellia, or Indian frankincense, is a resin herbal extract from the boswellia tree. It may possess anti-inflammatory properties, which could help with chronic inflammatory conditions. Liu JJ, Nilsson A, Oredsson S, et al. Boswellic acids trigger apoptosis via a pathway dependent on caspase-8 activation but independent on Fas/Fas ligand interaction in colon cancer HT-29 cells. Carcinogenesis 2002;23:2087-93. View abstract. Knaus U and Wagner H. Effects of Boswellic acid of Boswellia serrata and other triterpenic acids on the Complement System. Phytomedicine 1996;3(1):77-80. Etzel R. Special extract of Boswellia serrata (H15) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Phytomed 1996;3(1):91-94.Lampl C, Haider B, Schweiger C. Long-term efficacy of Boswellia serrata in four patients with chronic cluster headache. Cephalalgia 2012;32:719-22. View abstract.