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Boswellia is an herbal extract made from the gum resin of the Boswellia serrata tree, also called Indian frankincense, and it is sold mainly as a supplement for joint comfort. Small trials suggest it may ease osteoarthritis pain in the short term, but the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says most studies are small and of low quality, and there is not enough high-quality evidence to show it is useful for any health condition. Here is what boswellia is, what the joint, asthma and gut studies found, who should be careful and how to read a label.
Peptide Labs does not sell a boswellia supplement, so no product is recommended here. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Boswellia serrata resin is a source of frankincense and has a long history in Ayurvedic practice.
- Its boswellic acids, including one called AKBA, block an inflammation enzyme in lab studies.
- Osteoarthritis trials show short-term pain relief in some studies, but they are small and use different extracts.
- A year-long Crohn's disease trial found no benefit over placebo, and asthma evidence is thin.
- Ask a clinician first if you take blood thinners, asthma medicines or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is boswellia?
Boswellia serrata is a branching tree native to the mountains of northern Africa, India and the Middle East. Peeling away the bark releases a sticky gum resin known as frankincense or olibanum. In Ayurveda the resin has been used for joints, coughs and digestion, and today it is sold as capsules and tablets, often standardized to boswellic acids, as well as creams and essential oils. Frankincense used for aromatherapy can come from Boswellia serrata or related species, so the word on a bottle of essential oil does not tell you it matches the extracts used in oral trials.
The compounds researchers focus on are boswellic acids, especially acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA). In preclinical studies they inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in making inflammatory signals, which is why boswellia is marketed for “inflammation support”. MSKCC notes that boswellia should not be confused with guggul or myrrh, two other resins used in traditional medicine.
Boswellia benefits: what the research shows
These are research summaries only. Boswellia is not an approved therapy for any condition, and joint pain, breathing problems or ongoing gut symptoms need a proper diagnosis from a clinician.
Osteoarthritis and joint comfort research
A 2014 Cochrane review of oral herbal products for osteoarthritis could pool data only for Boswellia serrata: five studies of three different extracts. High-quality evidence from two studies with 85 people showed that an enriched extract improved pain and physical function compared with placebo over 90 days, while evidence for the other extracts was moderate or low quality. A 2018 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine listed boswellia among supplements with large short-term effects on pain, but rated the overall evidence very low quality and found no supplement with clinically important effects in the medium or long term. A 2020 meta-analysis pooled seven trials with 545 people.
Because each trial tested a different proprietary extract, a result from one product does not prove another works. Boswellia is often paired with turmeric; see our guides to turmeric and black pepper and turmeric side effects, and for other joint ingredients, glucosamine and omega-3.
Asthma research
NCCIH says a few small studies suggest oral boswellia may reduce asthma symptoms, but there is not enough rigorous evidence to judge. Anyone with asthma should keep following their clinician’s plan, never swap inhalers for a supplement and check with their provider before adding boswellia.
Gut and inflammatory bowel disease research
A German trial in people with Crohn’s disease in remission compared a boswellia extract with placebo for 52 weeks. It was stopped early: 59.9% of the boswellia group and 55.3% of the placebo group stayed in remission, a difference that was not significant. A 2013 review of herbal research in inflammatory bowel disease found small ulcerative colitis trials in which boswellia gum resin performed similarly to mesalazine, but called the studies limited and inconsistent. MSKCC rates the evidence for collagenous colitis as unclear or negative. People with IBD should not change their care without their gastroenterologist.
| Area studied | Main evidence | Quality | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis pain | Cochrane 2014; several small trials | High for one extract, low for others | Short-term relief in some trials |
| Asthma | A few small trials | Low | Not enough evidence to judge |
| Crohn's disease | 52-week placebo trial | Moderate | No benefit over placebo |
| Ulcerative colitis | Small comparison trials | Low | Encouraging but limited |
| Topical frankincense | Small studies | Low | Not shown to work |
An earlier 2008 BMJ systematic review by Edzard Ernst summed up the field in a way that still fits: the evidence for boswellia is encouraging but not compelling.
Boswellia side effects and safety
NCCIH describes oral boswellia as likely safe based on trials lasting up to six months, and MSKCC calls it generally well tolerated. Reported problems are mostly minor, but a few cautions matter:
- Blood thinners: boswellia extracts can reduce platelet clumping in lab tests, and MSKCC advises talking to your doctor first if you take warfarin or other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
- Other medicines: boswellic acids affect drug transporters such as P-glycoprotein in lab studies; how much that matters in people is unknown, so share your supplement list with your pharmacist.
- Skin reactions: case reports describe allergic contact dermatitis after boswellia oil and creams.
- Digestive effects: mild constipation was reported in one trial, and a case report describes a stomach blockage after a teenager ate large amounts of frankincense resin.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NCCIH says little is known about medicinal amounts, so ask your provider.
Stop and contact a clinician if you notice a rash, unusual bruising or bleeding, or stomach pain that does not settle. Mention boswellia before any surgery or dental procedure.
How to read a boswellia label
- Check the species: Boswellia serrata is the one used in most oral trials.
- Look for standardization to boswellic acids or AKBA, stated as a percentage of the extract.
- Note whether the product names a branded extract; trial results apply only to that extract.
- Watch for blends with turmeric, ginger or bromelain, and add up overlapping ingredients across products.
- Look for an independent quality seal, explained in our guide to third-party tested supplements.
- Read “supports joint comfort” as a marketing statement the FDA has not evaluated.
Capsules, creams and essential oils
Boswellia comes in very different forms, and the research does not carry across them. Most joint trials tested oral extracts in capsules or tablets. NCCIH notes that frankincense is often inhaled in aromatherapy or rubbed on the skin, and that topical use has been studied for osteoarthritis and other conditions without enough evidence that it works. Creams and oils also carry their own risk of skin reactions, so test a small patch first and stop if redness or itching appears. Follow each product’s label for how it is meant to be used, and do not swallow a product sold only for aromatherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is boswellia good for?
It is mostly studied for osteoarthritis pain, with short-term benefits in some small trials. Evidence for other uses is weak, and it is not a substitute for medical care.
Is boswellia the same as frankincense?
Boswellia serrata resin is one source of frankincense, also called Indian frankincense. Essential oils sold as frankincense may come from other species and are used differently.
What are boswellia side effects?
Most people in trials had few problems. Reported issues include skin reactions to topical products, mild digestive upset and a possible added bleeding risk with blood thinners.
Can I take boswellia with turmeric?
Many products combine them and some trials tested combinations. Boswellia may add to bleeding risk with blood thinners and turmeric has its own cautions, so ask a clinician if you take any medicines.
How long does boswellia take to work?
Trials usually ran for weeks to a few months. If joint pain persists or worsens, see a clinician rather than switching products.
Is boswellia safe during pregnancy?
Little is known about medicinal amounts in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so talk with your provider first.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take medicines. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Turmeric Side Effects: Liver Injury, Interactions and Turmeric vs Curcumin, White Willow Bark: Salicin, Aspirin, Research and Safety, Joint Supplements: What the Evidence Shows and How to Check a Label.