Boswellia
Also known as 5-Loxin, AKBA, boswellia serrata, frankincense
Key takeaways
- Boswellia and Boswellia extracts are effective for treating osteoarthritis patients (PMID: 32680575).
- Standardized Boswellia serrata extract (Aflapin) shows efficacy in osteoarthritis management (PMID: 38365549).
- Boswellia supplementation may improve glycemic markers and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients (PMID: 39449720).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 33 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Boswellia is an herbal supplement derived from frankincense resin, primarily used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research indicates it is most effective for managing symptoms of osteoarthritis, with emerging evidence regarding its use in metabolic health and inflammatory bowel conditions.
By condition
Osteoarthritis
Strong
Multiple meta-analyses and systematic reviews consistently demonstrate that Boswellia, both alone and in combination with curcumin, effectively reduces pain and improves function in knee osteoarthritis.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate
Recent systematic reviews suggest Boswellia supplementation may positively influence glycemic markers and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease / Collagenous Colitis
Weak
Evidence from Cochrane reviews and systematic reviews for treating collagenous colitis and general IBD is limited or insufficient to show a definitive clinical benefit.
Effective doses
Specific dose ranges were not provided in the provided abstracts; however, standardized extracts (e.g., Aflapin) are highlighted as efficacious for osteoarthritis.
Safety & interactions
Generally considered a safer alternative to common OA treatments, though specific drug interactions and contraindications were not detailed in the provided abstracts.
Limitations
While evidence for osteoarthritis is robust, there is a lack of high-quality, large-scale RCTs for other inflammatory conditions like collagenous colitis. Many studies are systematic reviews of smaller trials, necessitating more direct clinical evidence.
Top-rated Boswellia products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 218 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 33 sources, sorted by quality
BACKGROUND: Medicinal plant products are used orally for treating osteoarthritis. Although their mechanisms of action have not yet been elucidated in full detail, interactions with common inflammatory mediators provide a rationale for using…
**Kafil et al., 2017** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Kafil Tahir S, Nguyen Tran M, ... McDonald John Wd. Interventions for treating collagenous colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017-Nov-11;11(11):CD003575. doi:10.1002/146…
PURPOSE: The unfavorable safety profiles of commonly prescribed knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatments have led clinicians and patients to seek safer alternatives. Research has suggested that curcuminoid and boswellia formulations could modera…
**Inprasit et al., 2026** | Complement Ther Med | Systematic Review Inprasit Chanya, Bunyamahote Siriwadee, ... Dhippayom Teerapon. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa, Boswellia serrata, and their mixed formulation in treat…
**Yu et al., 2020** | BMC Complement Med Ther | Meta Analysis Yu Ganpeng, Xiang Wang, ... Li Jun. Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. …
**Chattopadhyay et al., 2022** | Front Pharmacol | Systematic Review Chattopadhyay Kaushik, Wang Haiquan, ... Leonardi-Bee Jo. Effectiveness and Safety of Ayurvedic Medicines in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Systematic Review and M…
**Chande et al., 2008** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Chande N, McDonald J W D, Macdonald J K. Interventions for treating collagenous colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008-Apr-16(2):CD003575. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003575…
**Kessler et al., 2015** | Rheumatol Int | Meta Analysis Kessler Christian S, Pinders Lea, ... Cramer Holger. Ayurvedic interventions for osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatol Int. 2015-Feb;35(2):211-32. doi:10.10…
**Del et al., 2017** | Phytother Res | Meta Analysis Del Grossi Moura Mariana, Lopes Luciane Cruz, ... de Cássia Bergamaschi Cristiane. Oral herbal medicines marketed in Brazil for the treatment of osteoarthritis: A systematic review and me…
**Ernst et al., 2008** | BMJ | Systematic Review Ernst E. Frankincense: systematic review. BMJ. 2008-Dec-17;337:a2813. doi:10.1136/bmj.a2813 OBJECTIVE: To assess evidence from randomised clinical trials about the effectiveness of extracts o…
Frequently asked questions
What is Boswellia and what is it used for?
Boswellia is an herbal supplement derived from frankincense resin, primarily used for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is most commonly researched for managing symptoms of osteoarthritis, with emerging evidence supporting its use in metabolic health and inflammatory bowel conditions.
Does Boswellia work for osteoarthritis?
Yes, there is strong evidence that Boswellia effectively reduces pain and improves function in knee osteoarthritis. Multiple meta-analyses confirm its efficacy both as a standalone treatment and in combination with curcumin.
Can Boswellia help with type 2 diabetes?
There is moderate evidence suggesting that Boswellia supplementation may positively influence glycemic markers and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, it should not replace prescribed diabetes medications without consulting a healthcare provider.
Is Boswellia effective for inflammatory bowel disease?
The evidence for using Boswellia to treat inflammatory bowel disease or collagenous colitis is currently weak. Research is limited and insufficient to show a definitive clinical benefit for these conditions.
What is the effective dose of Boswellia?
Specific dose ranges were not provided in the available research abstracts. However, standardized extracts, such as Aflapin, are highlighted as efficacious for managing osteoarthritis symptoms.
Is Boswellia safe to take with other medications?
No drug interactions have been documented in the provided evidence. However, because specific contraindications were not detailed, individuals on other medications should consult a healthcare provider before use.
Who should avoid taking Boswellia?
Pregnant individuals and those with specific health conditions should avoid Boswellia or consult a doctor first, as specific safety data for these groups is not detailed. It is generally considered a safer alternative to common osteoarthritis treatments, but professional medical advice is recommended for personal health decisions.