Boswellia also known as olibanum or frankincense is an important herb obtained from Boswellia serrata tree. Boswellia extract is derived from the gum resin, which is made by the Boswellia serrata. It is significantly rich in boswellic acid that helps to treat any kind of inflammation and swelling of the body.

Main components of Boswellia

• Boswellic acid is recognized as the main component of boswellia, which offers numerous health benefits
• Four imperative boswellic acids are found in boswellia, which include, β-boswellic acid (BA), 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA), acetyl-β-boswellic acid (ABA) and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA)
• AKBA is very helpful for preventing various inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, bronchial asthma and arthritis

Mechanism of action

The main four boswellic acids found in boswellia are responsible for exhibiting anti-inflammatory activities. Among all of these boswellic acids, Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is considered as the most powerful anti-inflammatory substance. Boswellic acids generally prevent inflammation by inhibiting the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, which helps in the production of leukotriene. Decreased formation of leukotriene is associated with inhibiting inflammation.

Health benefits

Anti-inflammatory activities

• It is very popular due to its anti-inflammatory properties and has been traditionally used for treating inflammation

• It has seen that the four boswellic acids of boswellia (mentioned above) play significant role in reducing the concentration of pro-inflammatory enzymes within body that significantly reduces inflammation
• It also helps to regulate the concentration of cytokines and leukotrienes that results in decreasing inflammation, swelling and pain

Anti-carcinogenic activities

• It is extremely toxic for cancerous cells hence plays significant role in destroying them
• It also helps to prevent the growth of tumor cells as boswellic acid has potent antitumor effects
• It plays vital role in protecting the DNA from damages by inhibiting the action of those enzymes, which provide negative impact on DNA and reduces the risk of developing cancer
• It shows potent anti-carcinogenic effects against breast cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer and brain tumor cells

Role on skeletal system

• It is awfully useful for treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and collagenous arthritis
• Consumption of boswellia extract significantly reduces joint swelling as well as pain and also helps to improve joint functions
• It has seen that arthritic patient (especially osteoarthritis) who consume boswellia significantly improves their knee functions
• It also plays significant role in promoting the growth of cartilage as it is associated with reducing the concentration of cartilage-degrading enzymes within body

• It helps to improve the symptoms of arthritis especially rheumatoid arthritis. Boswellia can also interfere with the autoimmune responses of the body. These immune balancing and anti-inflammatory properties of boswellia make it an imperative therapeutic substance for treating rheumatoid arthritis

Role on skin

• It helps to promote skin health
• Boswellic acids play significant role in improving photoaging and also helps to prevent tactile roughness
• It helps to protect the skin from inflammatory damages and reduces the risk of developing dermal disorders
• It also helps to increase the elasticity of skin
• Utilization of boswellia extract is extremely beneficial for inhibiting the skin redness and irritation caused by radio therapy
• It is also very helpful for reducing the prevalence of psoriasis, wrinkles and acne
• It helps to prevent ageing as well

Role on nervous system

• Consumption of boswellia is associated with improving the activity of brain as it helps to protect every nerve cell from oxidative and inflammatory damages
• It helps to improve motor functions
• It also helps to improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
• It is very effective for preventing radio therapy related brain swelling
• It is better for malignant glioma patient to consume boswellia extract at least seven days prior to surgery as it helps to inhibit fluid accumulation around the tumor and makes the surgery effective

Role on respiratory health

• It plays vital role in preventing respiratory disorders as it helps to prevent the inflammation within the airway by reducing the secretion of cytokines
• Boswellic acid plays significant role in preventing asthma
• It also helps to treat breathing troubles

Role on digestive health

• People who have digestive problems should include boswellia in their diet for reducing gastrointestinal discomforts
• It also helps to treat diarrhoea
• It has antioxidant activities, which are responsible for protecting the digestive tract from free radical induced oxidative damages thus its consumption significantly reduces the susceptibility of developing gastrointestinal disorders
• It also exerts strong anti-inflammatory activities, which play essential role in protecting the intestinal epithelial barrier from inflammatory damages

Other health benefits

• It is used as an important therapeutic agent for decreasing the prevalence of fibroadenoma (benign breast lumps). It has seen that consumption of boswellic acid along with myoinositol and betaine significantly reduces breast pain
• It also helps to prevent gum inflammation hence its consumption is very effective for improving the symptoms of gingivitis especially plaque induced gingivitis
• It is very effective for preventing headache

• It also helps to prevent menstrual cramp and promotes menstrual blood flow
• It helps to decrease the level of LDL in body whereas increases HDL concentration hence helps to reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome

Traditional usages

• It has been used since ancient time especially in India, Africa and China as an effective preventive measure for various illnesses
• It is mainly used in Ayurveda and folk medicine as an imperative anti-inflammatory, analgesic, liver protecting and anti-arthritic substance
• It has been traditionally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease
• It also helps to reduce pain by enhancing blood circulation within body

Recent findings

• According to current researches it has seen that essential oil and gum resin of several species of boswellia exert antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, anti-carcinogenic, hypoglycemic, anti-asthmatic, anti-diarrheal, hepato protective and hypo-lipidemic effects (Rashan et al., 2019)
• Recent researches have also shown that inhalation of Boswellia carterii essential oil is closely associated with relieving labor pain (Esmaelzadeh-Saeieh et al., 2018)

General consideration of using boswellia

• It is better to consume 300 to 400mg of boswellia at least three times a day, which helps to provide desired amount of boswellic acids within body
• Boswellia essential oil can also be utilized but it is better to dilute the essential oil with other carrier oil before applying on skin or any inflamed area of the body

• Excessive consumption of boswellia can cause various gastrointestinal disorders like nausea, vomiting, heart burn, acid reflux and bloating. So it is better to consume it as per recommendation
• It often causes allergic reaction thus individual, who experiences allergic reaction should stop its consumption immediately
• It has seen that boswellia interacts with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs hence it is better to consult with health experts before using it
• Individuals who are on blood thinning medications should consult with physician and nutritionist before consuming it
• Individual suffer from gastro esophageal reflux diseases should avoid its consumption
• Pregnant women should stay away from boswellia as it may induce miscarriages as it stimulates menstrual flow

Esmaelzadeh-Saeieh, S., Rahimzadeh, M., Khosravi-Dehaghi, N. and Torkashvand, S., 2018. The effects of inhalation aromatherapy with Boswellia carterii essential oil on the intensity of labor pain among nulliparous women. Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 7(2), pp.45-49.

Hosain, N., 2020. Purification, Structural Characterization and Immunomodulation Properties of Polysaccharides Isolated from Frankincense (Boswellia carterii).

Italiano, G., Raimondo, M., Giannetti, G. and Gargiulo, A., 2020. Benefits of a Food Supplement Containing Boswellia serrata and Bromelain for Improving the Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(2), pp.123-129.

MISHRA, S., BISHNOI, R.S., MAURYA, R. and JAIN, D., 2020. BOSWELLIA SERRATA ROXB.–A BIOACTIVE HERB WITH VARIOUS PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES. Asian J Pharm Clin Res, 13(11), pp.33-39.

Rajaei, E., Mowla, K., Ahmadi, A., Seyedtabib, M., Siahpoosh, A., Mofrad, A.M.E. and Hedayati, E., To compare the effect of a formulation containing Boswellia Serrata extract on the Osteoarthritis patients’ pain alleviation and quality of life improvement With Placebo and Piroxicam Gel; A Randomized Double blind trial.

Rashan, L., Hakkim, F.L., Idrees, M., Essa, M.M., Velusamy, T., Al-Baloshi, M., Al-Balushi, B.S., Al Jabri, A., Al-Rizeiqi, M.H., Guillemin, G.J. and Hasson, S.S.A.A., 2019. Boswellia Gum Resin and Essential Oils: Potential Health Benefits− An Evidence Based Review. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases, 9(2), p.53.

TRAISTARU¹, R.O.D.I.C.A., Alexandru, D.O., Kamal, D., Kamal, K.C., Rogoveanu, O.C. and Postolache, P., 2018. Boswellia derivates and rehabilitation program in knee osteoarthritis patients.