Herb library · Herb · Boswellia serrata
Boswellia
The gum resin of an Indian tree, also known as Indian frankincense, sold mostly for joint comfort. Most studies are small and of low quality; the best signal is for osteoarthritis pain, and it still needs larger trials.
Traditional use
A branching tree of the mountains of India, North Africa and the Middle East. Dutt's 1877 compilation from Sanskrit medical works records that the gum of the Salai tree was called Kunduru in Sanskrit and was burned as incense and applied to swollen glands. In Ayurveda the resin has been used for arthritis, inflammation and pain, and for some breathing and heart complaints. Today boswellia extracts are sold as supplements for joint health, mobility and digestion, and the resin of Boswellia species is the source of frankincense used in aromatherapy.
What studies show
- Limited
Osteoarthritis: several studies found that taking boswellia by mouth may reduce the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis, but NCCIH says most studies are small and of low quality and larger, better studies are needed.
- Insufficient
Rubbed on the skin for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions: studied, but there is not enough evidence to show it works.
- Insufficient
Asthma: a few small studies suggest it may ease symptoms, but there is not enough rigorous evidence to know whether it is useful.
- Insufficient
Cancer: limited research in people. One small study in people with a brain tumor found it may reduce swelling of the brain, but not the tumor. There is no evidence it helps with COVID-19.
Be careful of
Cautions
- NoteLikely safe taken by mouth: extracts up to 1,000 mg a day were used safely in trials lasting up to 6 months, and 2,400 mg a day for up to 1 month. Side effects are few and mostly mild stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea or constipation.
- NoteLiverTox (NIH) rates boswellia an unlikely cause of liver injury. It is often sold in multi-ingredient joint products, some of which have been linked to liver injury.
- ConditionAsthma or cancer: do not use it in place of the care your clinician recommends, and talk with them before adding it.
- PregnancyLikely safe in food amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding; little is known about medicinal amounts or frankincense. Talk with your clinician first.
- NoteSome Ayurvedic preparations include metals. The FDA warns that this makes some Ayurvedic products potentially harmful, and a 2015 survey found high lead or mercury levels in some of the supplements tested.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
From the old books
What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.
“OLIBANUM. The gum of the Salai tree of India (Boswellia thurifera), is called Kunduru in Sanskrit. It is used as an incense and as a local application to buboes.”
“It seems probable that the true Sanskrit name for B. serrata is Sallaki, from which the Hindí word Salai has been derived.”
In scripture
Where the Bible names this plant, and which plant scholars think is meant.
Yahweh said to Moses, “Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum: sweet spices with pure frankincense. There shall be an equal weight of each.
Frankincense is the resin of Boswellia trees. Balfour (1885) wrote that it came from several species, chiefly from southern Arabia and the Somali coast; the Indian tree on this page, Boswellia serrata, is one frankincense tree, but the incense of these verses most likely came by way of Arabia. John Hutton Balfour, The Plants of the Bible (1885), pp. 154–155 (opens in a new tab)
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The resin of Boswellia trees, which is not in doubt. Balfour (1885) wrote that it came chiefly from southern Arabia and the Somali coast, so the gift was probably Arabian frankincense rather than the Indian species on this page. John Hutton Balfour, The Plants of the Bible (1885), pp. 154–155 (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- Boswellia: Usefulness and Safety (opens in a new tab) · NCCIH · read September 25, 2026
- LiverTox: Boswellia Serrata (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth (opens in a new tab) · NCCIH · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.