Benefits of Boswellia
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Natural health practices have used boswellia for centuries to treat various chronic inflammatory disorders. The scientific research on boswellia is less developed, but it is beginning to unveil potential uses for the resin and its extracts.
- Great anti-inflammatory
- Protects the gut and skin
- Improves joint function
- May support cognition and mental health
- May help with diabetes.
- Side effects:
- May cause nausea and heartburn
- Has poor absorption
- Most benefits lack solid clinical evidence
Medical uses
1) Osteoarthritis
In two clinical trials of 135 osteoarthritis patients, a specific boswellia extract, 5-Loxin (100 mg or 250 mg daily for 3 months) significantly improved joint pain and functionality. Patients began to experience significant improvement after 7 days of treatment with a higher dose.
Different types of Boswellia extract were able to reduce pain and improve knee function in three studies of 145 osteoarthritis patients
Boswellic acids reduced swelling and showed anti-arthritic activity in studies on rats and mice with joint disorders
2) Ulcerative Colitis
Wound-healing, anti-ulcer, and anti-diarrhea properties of Boswellia have been cherished in traditional medicine for ages
Boswellia serrata oleo-gum extract (BSE), has antioxidant activity and protects the intestinal epithelial barrier from inflammatory damage.
In studies on rats, it showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, inhibiting inflammation in acute colitis and preventing diarrhea.
One study showed no superiority of Boswellia versus placebo in patients with Crohn's disease, another form of IBD.
3) Skin Protection
A cream containing Boswellic acids on facial skin led to significant improvements in photoaging, tactile roughness, and fine lines; increased elasticity; and decreased sebum production in 15 women.
In another study, a cream with 2% Boswellia extract (twice daily for 5 weeks) significantly reduced skin redness and irritation caused by radiotherapy. It decreased the need to use cortisone cream by 60%, compared to placebo
In 59 patients with psoriasis, scales, or skin irritation, the same product soothed the skin and improved the symptoms in 50-70% of cases .
4) Brain Swelling
In a study of 44 patients with brain cancer, B. serrata (4200 mg/day) reduced radiotherapy-related swelling with a 60% success rate (vs. 26% placebo).
Administering 3600 mg/day of Boswellia extract, 7 days prior to surgery, reduced the fluild around the tumor by 70% in 8/12 patients with malignant glioma (brain cancer). The signs of brain damage further decreased during the treatment.
In another trial, an ethanolic extract of the gum resin of B. serrata reduced brain swelling due to by 22-48%. However, crucial details such as sample size are not available.
9) Headaches
Oral B. serrata reduced the intensity and frequency of headaches in four patients with CCH (chronic cluster headache)
This study lacked a control group and had a tiny sample, so it doesn't allow for conclusions.
(The use of Boswellia for this indication is still experimental and requires strict medical supervision.)
6) Asthma
Boswellia has traditionally been valued for its effect on the respiratory system and has been used in steam inhalations, baths, and massages to treat a cough, catarrh, bronchitis, and asthma .
Boswellic acids found in frankincense is responsible for the inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis and, therefore, may reduce and prevent inflammation in many chronic condition like asthma.
Gum resin of B. serrata improved the symptoms of bronchial asthma—such as difficulty breathing, wheezing lung sound, and the number of attacks—in a study of 40 patients .
7) Gum Health
In a study of 75 girls, the extract and powder of frankincense prevented plaque-induced gingivitis (gum inflammation).
Insufficient Evidence:
No valid clinical evidence supports the use of Boswellia for any of the conditions in this section. Below is a summary of up-to-date animal studies, cell-based research, or low-quality clinical trials which should spark further investigation. However, you shouldn't interpret them as supportive of any health benefit.
8) Cognitive Function
Boswellia is traditionally used to improve learning and memory [3].
B. papyrifera showed significant improvement in visuospatial memory in 80 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients but had no effect on verbal memory and information processing speed [31].
B. serrata enhanced cognition in a study of 38 patients with nerve injury, but didn't significantly improve overall outcome [32].
Young rats whose mothers were treated with this herb in pregnancy showed improved cognition and an increase in the volume of hippocampal neurons [33].
In a rat epilepsy model, Boswellia extract improved learning ability and eliminated the adverse effects of seizures on cognitive function [34].
In mouse models of brain injury, incensole acetate (IA) isolated from Boswellia resin inhibited brain degeneration and improved cognitive performance [35, 36].
Despite the promising preliminary results, more studies are needed to investigate the pro-cognitive effects of Boswellia.
9) Diabetes
B. serrata significantly increased blood HDL levels, remarkably decreased cholesterol, LDL, fructosamine (sugar), and liver enzymes after 6 weeks in a trial of 60 diabetic patients [37].
In diabetic rats, oral administration of Boswellia glabra and Boswellia serrata reduced blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and prevented complications in the kidneys and liver [38, 39, 40].
Boswellia extract prevented the increase of blood glucose levels, prevented pancreatic islet destruction and consequent hyperglycemia in an animal model of type 1 diabetes [40].
10) Pain Reduction
B. serrata significantly increased the pain threshold and pain tolerance in 12 healthy volunteers .
Boswellia sacra has shown painkiller properties different mouse models
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