Boswellia serrata is a medicinal plant that is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to help manage rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel diseases due to its anti-inflammatory effects. The most commonly used part is the resin.
The resin is used to produce essential oil or to make an extract that is taken in capsule form. Boswellia serrata is also known as olibanum or frankincense.
Boswellia serrata is sold in some natural products stores and compounding pharmacies. It should only be used with guidance from a doctor or a trained herbal medicine professional.
Main benefits
Boswellia serrata is indicated for:
1. Managing rheumatoid arthritis
Boswellia serrata is rich in boswellic acid, which has strong natural anti-inflammatory effects and may help regulate immune system activity. It may be used as a complementary treatment for rheumatoid arthritis to help reduce joint pain and swelling.
2. Relieving osteoarthritis pain
Because of its potent anti-inflammatory action, Boswellia serrata may also help in osteoarthritis care. It may reduce pain and swelling and improve physical function, such as the ability to walk.
4. Reducing intestinal inflammation
Due to its strong anti-inflammatory action, Boswellia serrata may help reduce intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
4. Helping with respiratory problems
Boswellia serrata may help with respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, cough, or pneumonia. It has anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce the production of inflammatory substances like leukotrienes, which can promote relaxation of the bronchi.
Because it may help regulate immune system activity, Boswellia serrata may also reduce the body’s response to allergenic substances. These substances are often involved in triggering asthma symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
5. Helping in the treatment of COVID-19
The boswellic acid in Boswellia serrata may help combat COVID-19 by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase and leukotrienes, which are key inflammatory substances.
It also provides antioxidant effects that could reduce oxidative stress from coronavirus infection, along with immunomodulatory benefits that support the immune response against SARS-CoV-2.
However, more studies are still needed to confirm this benefit.
6. Controlling diabetes
Because of its anti-inflammatory action in chronic conditions, Boswellia serrata has also shown benefits related to preventing and treating type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
It also has antioxidant effects that may help reduce oxidative stress in pancreatic cells and support insulin production, which may help lower sugar levels in the body.
7. Speeding up wound healing
When used as an essential oil, Boswellia serrata may help speed wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties.
How to use
Boswellia serrata can be used as capsules made from its extract or as an essential oil.
1. Boswellia serrata capsules
Boswellia serrata is available as capsules from compounding pharmacies and natural products stores. These are typically made with a dry extract and may contain 300 mg to 1000 mg per capsule.
In general, 300 mg taken 3 times per day is cited for adults for asthma, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis.
Dosing can vary depending on how much Boswellia serrata is in the capsule formulation. For that reason, it should only be used with guidance from a physician or a professional experienced with medicinal plants, with individualized dosing.
2. Boswellia serrata essential oil
Boswellia serrata essential oil may be used to reduce joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis and to help speed wound healing.
Ingredients
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1 to 3 drops of Boswellia serrata essential oil;
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5 mL of coconut oil.
Directions
Mix the ingredients and apply to the skin over the affected joint or onto the wound once a day, gently massaging. Wash hands afterward and avoid contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
Before using Boswellia serrata essential oil, check that there is no allergic reaction to boswellia oil. Apply the mixture to a small area of skin, and if the skin becomes irritated, red, or itchy, rinse right away and remove the oil with soap and water, then do not use boswellia oil.
Side effects
Boswellia serrata is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth at doses up to 1000 mg per day for up to 6 months.
Even at recommended doses, side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, headache, or itching.
Boswellia serrata also has natriuretic effects, meaning it can increase sodium and urine excretion. Even at therapeutic doses, this may be associated with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, seizures, or rhabdomyolysis.
Contraindications for use
Boswellia serrata should not be used during pregnancy because it may promote uterine contractions that could lead to miscarriage.
Safety has not been established for children. Based on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), little is known about whether boswellia is safe to use in medicinal amounts during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. For that reason, it is safest not to use this plant in children under 12 years old or during breastfeeding.