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Botanical

Boswellia

Boswellia is the resin of Boswellia trees, mainly Boswellia serrata, also known as frankincense. It is mostly studied for inflammation and osteoarthritis pain.

Also listed as Indian Frankincense, Salai, Salai Guggul, Gajabhakshya

Gut HealthImmune SupportBone & JointLongevity

What improved in osteoarthritis trials?

A 2020 review pooled seven trials involving 545 people with osteoarthritis. Pain, stiffness and joint function improved on average with Boswellia preparations. NCCIH nevertheless considers the overall evidence too limited and low in quality to establish effectiveness confidently. 1 2

The extract matters as much as the milligrams

One 90-day trial assigned 75 adults with knee osteoarthritis to placebo or 100 or 250 mg daily of 5-Loxin, an extract enriched to 30% AKBA, a boswellic acid. Pain and function improved; 70 participants completed the trial. These are studied doses of that extract, not interchangeable doses for any frankincense capsule. 3 4

What about bloating?

In a 30-day trial, 67 adults with irritable bowel syndrome and elevated urinary indican received a low-FODMAP diet, which limits certain fermentable carbohydrates, alone or the diet plus a turmeric–Boswellia combination. Bloating and abdominal pain improved more with the combination. The trial had no placebo and cannot isolate Boswellia’s contribution; the urine marker also does not establish a healthier gut microbiome. 5

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.

Longevity1 effect

Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Other effects1 effect

InflammationStrongA3 studies
Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense: Targets, treatments and toxicities.2020Using Combined Curcumin and Boswellia Serrata Supplementation to Alter Inflammatory Response to Consecutive Exercise Days2019Plant Food Supplements with Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Systematic Review (II)2013

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

All studies

12 publications are linked to Boswellia, newest first.

Positive Effect of Lecithin-Based Delivery Form of Curcuma and Boswellia Extracts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome After COVID-19 Infection2025Boswellic Acids Reduce Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Moderate COVID-19 Through Modulation of NF-κB Pathway.2025Positive Outcomes of Supplementation with Lecithin-Based Delivery Formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata in IBS Subjects with Small Bowel Dysbiosis2024Efficacy of Extracts of Oleogum Resin of Boswellia in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis2024Boswellic Acids: A Critical Appraisal of Their Therapeutic and Nutritional Benefits in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.2023Beneficial Effects on Abdominal Bloating with an Innovative Food-Grade Formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata Extracts in Subjects with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Small Bowel Dysbiosis2022Potential therapeutic effects of boswellic acids/Boswellia serrata extract in the prevention and therapy of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease2021Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense: Targets, treatments and toxicities.2020Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis2020Using Combined Curcumin and Boswellia Serrata Supplementation to Alter Inflammatory Response to Consecutive Exercise Days2019A pilot, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel Boswellia serrata extract in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee2019Plant Food Supplements with Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Systematic Review (II)2013

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