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Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, Boswellin and Salai guggal is a moderate to large branching tree which grows in the hilly areas of India and which is known for its fragrant resin. The frankincense mentioned in the Bible is thought to have been an extract from the resin of the tree Boswellia sacra. When the tree trunk is tapped, a gummy oleoresin exudes of which a purified extract is used for herbal preparations. The boswellic acids, a component of the resin, are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and to be effective in treating bursitis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Boswellia Constituents

The gum oleoresin consists of gum, essential oils, and terpenoids. The terpenoids contain the boswellic acids that are known to be the active constituents in Boswellia. Studies have shown that they have anti-inflammatory properties and work similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are normally used for inflammatory conditions, but without the side effects. Boswellic acids are are also known to suppress the proliferating tissue in the inflamed areas and to prevent the breakdown of connective tissue. They were further found to improve blood supply to the joints and to restore vessels which had been weakened by spasm.

Boswellia Health Benefits

In ancient ayurvedic medical texts of India, the gummy oleoresin from Boswellia is classified together with other gum resins and collectively referred to as guggals. Traditionally, the guggals were used for a variety of conditions, including diarrhea, dysentery, arthritis, pulmonary disease, and ringworm. Today, Boswellia is used for any type of inflammation, such as asthma which is an inflammation in the lungs, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease which are inflammations in the intestines, eczema which is an inflammation of the skin, and arthritis which is an inflammation in the joints. Even coronary artery disease is believed to arise from chronic inflammation in the coronary arteries. For all these conditions, Boswellia has shown to bring relief.

Boswellia Products and Dosage

Boswellia comes in tablet, capsule, and extract form. They are typically standardized to contain 37.5 – 65% boswellic acids. Dosage should be based upon the level of boswellic acids, generally 200 – 400 mg per day in three doses. Treatment with Boswellia usually lasts eight to twelve weeks. Boswellia is generally safe if it is used as directed. Side effects are rare, they can include diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash.