Boswellia
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Evidence Summary
Boswellia is an herbal supplement primarily recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research indicates significant efficacy in managing osteoarthritis, particularly knee osteoarthritis, and potential benefits for glycemic regulation in Type 2 Diabetes.
Evidence by Condition
Multiple meta-analyses demonstrate that Boswellia, especially when used in standardized extracts or in combination with curcumin, is effective for treating knee osteoarthritis.
Evidence suggests that Boswellia supplementation may positively impact glycemic markers and lipid profiles in diabetic patients.
While studied, the evidence for treating collagenous colitis is limited by very small sample sizes in available meta-analyses.
Effective Doses
Dose ranges are not explicitly stated in the provided research abstracts.
Key Findings
- The combination of curcumin and Boswellia is effective for treating knee osteoarthritis (PMID: 29622343).
- Standardized Boswellia serrata extract (Aflapin) has demonstrated efficacy in treating osteoarthritis (PMID: 38365549).
- Boswellia supplementation may influence glycemic markers and lipid profiles in patients with Type 2 Diabetes (PMID: 39449720).
Limitations
There is a lack of high-quality, large-scale evidence for conditions like collagenous colitis, and much of the research is concentrated on osteoarthritis.
Safety & Interactions
Boswellia is often sought as a safer alternative to common osteoarthritis treatments which may have unfavorable safety profiles; however, specific contraindications were not detailed in the provided text.
AI-generated summary from 32 peer-reviewed studies. Not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider.
Claims vs. Evidence
| Claim Type | % of Products | Evidence Required | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Other | 99% | Tier D (Unclassified) | ✅ Supported |
| Structure/Function | 84% | Tier C (DSHEA Structure/Function (no pre-approval)) | ✅ Supported |
| Nutrient | 3% | Tier D (Unknown) | ✅ Supported |
| No Claim | 1% | Tier D (No claim on label) | ✅ Supported |
Research by Topic
Research Evidence (33)
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 them to t...
**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:10.1002/14651858.CD00...
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 moderate key inf...
**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 treating knee o...
**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. 2020-Jul-1...
**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 Meta-Analys...
**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.pub5 BACK...
**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:10.1007/s00296-...
**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 meta-analysi...
**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 of Boswelli...
**Di et al., 2013** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Systematic Review Di Lorenzo Chiara, Dell'Agli Mario, ... Bosisio Enrica. Plant food supplements with anti-inflammatory properties: a systematic review (II). Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(5):507-16. do...
**Ng et al., 2013** | Aliment Pharmacol Ther | Systematic Review Ng S C, Lam Y T, ... Wu J C Y. Systematic review: the efficacy of herbal therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013-Oct;38(8):854-63. doi:10.1111/apt.12464 BACK...
**Dubey et al., 2024** | Explore (NY) | Meta Analysis Dubey Vishal, Kheni Dharmeshkumar, Sureja Varun. Efficacy evaluation of standardized Boswellia serrata extract (AflapinⓇ) in osteoarthritis: A systematic review and sub-group meta-analysis study. ...
**Chande et al., 2006** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Chande N, McDonald J W D, MacDonald J K. Interventions for treating collagenous colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006-Oct-18(4):CD003575 BACKGROUND: Collagenous colitis is a dis...
**Karimi et al., 2024** | Front Clin Diabetes Healthc | Systematic Review Karimi Mehdi, Vakili Kimia, ... Kazemi Kimia. Effect of boswellia (Boswellia serrata L.) supplementation on glycemic markers and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients: a sy...
**Chande et al., 2005** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Chande N, McDonald J W D, Macdonald J K. Interventions for treating collagenous colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005-Oct-19(4):CD003575 BACKGROUND: Collagenous colitis is a dis...
**Wu et al., 2024** | Chin J Integr Med | Systematic Review Wu Yong-Rong, Xiong Wei, ... Zhou Qing. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of Frankincense: Implications for Anticancer Therapy. Chin J Integr Med. 2024-Aug;30(8):759-767. ...
**Efferth et al., 2022** | Semin Cancer Biol | Systematic Review Efferth Thomas, Oesch Franz. Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense: Targets, treatments and toxicities. Semin Cancer Biol. 2022-May;80:39-57. doi:10.1016/j.semcan...
**Thomas et al., 2021** | Int J Environ Res Public Health | Systematic Review Thomas Roger E, Thomas Bennett Charles. Reducing Biofilm Infections in Burn Patients' Wounds and Biofilms on Surfaces in Hospitals, Medical Facilities and Medical Equipment...
**Dalmonte et al., 2024** | Phytother Res | Meta Analysis Dalmonte Thomas, Andreani Giulia, ... Isani Gloria. Efficacy of Extracts of Oleogum Resin of Boswellia in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Phytother...
**Clark et al., 2010** | Prim Care Respir J | Meta Analysis Clark Christopher E, Arnold Elizabeth, ... Wu Taixiang. Herbal interventions for chronic asthma in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Prim Care Respir J. 2010-Dec;19...
**Vaidya et al., 2025** | Pharm Res | Rct Vaidya Narendra, Agarwal Ramshyam, ... Nair Sujit. Efficacy and Safety of Boswellia serrata and Apium graveolens L. Extract Against Knee Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Degeneration: A Randomized, Double-blind, ...
**Kumar et al., 2025** | J Am Nutr Assoc | Rct Kumar Brijesh, Ghaytidak Abhijeet Balbhim, ... Rokkam Meher Prasanna. A Standardized Boswellia serrata Extract Improves Knee Joint Function and Cartilage Morphology in Human Volunteers with Mild to Moder...
**Prajapati et al., 2026** | J Ethnopharmacol | Systematic Review Prajapati Krishna, Mishra Raj, Jain Vandana. A comprehensive review of Glycyrrhiza glabra in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: ethnopharmacology, pharmacological mechanisms and s...
**Chande et al., 2009** | Am J Gastroenterol | Systematic Review Chande Nilesh, MacDonald John K, McDonald John W D. Interventions for treating microscopic colitis: a Cochrane Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Functional Bowel Disorders Review Group sys...
**Alam et al., 2021** | Rev Environ Health | Systematic Review Alam Md Anzar, Gani Mohd Abdul, ... Quamri Mohd Aleemuddin. Possible role of Unani Pharmacology in COVID-19 - a narrative review. Rev Environ Health. 2021-Sep-27;36(3):391-396. doi:10.151...
**De et al., 2011** | Rheumatology (Oxford) | Systematic Review De Silva Vijitha, El-Metwally Ashraf, ... Macfarlane Gary J. Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review...
**Rossi et al., 2016** | Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol | Systematic Review Rossi Roberta E, Whyand Tara, ... Caplin Martyn E. The role of dietary supplements in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016-Dec;28(1...
**Salazar et al., 2021** | JNCI Cancer Spectr | Systematic Review Salazar Ana S, Rakhmankulova Malika, ... Toriola Adetunji T. Chemoprevention Agents to Reduce Mammographic Breast Density in Premenopausal Women: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials...
**Nyhlin et al., 2006** | Aliment Pharmacol Ther | Systematic Review Nyhlin N, Bohr J, ... Tysk C. Systematic review: microscopic colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006-Jun-01;23(11):1525-34 BACKGROUND: Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis are fairly c...
**NCT ID**: NCT06407609 **Phase**: NA **Status**: COMPLETED **Enrollment**: 64 **Completion**: 2023-03-03
OBJECTIVES: Dietary supplements are increasingly used by people with osteoarthritis. Boswellia serrata extract, curcumin, pine bark extract and methylsulfonylmethane have been identified as having the largest effects for symptomatic relief in a syste...
**Basch et al., 2004** | J Herb Pharmacother | Systematic Review Basch Ethan, Boon Heather, ... Ulbricht Catherine. Boswellia: an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Herb Pharmacother. 2004;4(3):63-83 An...
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boswellia and what are its main benefits?
Boswellia is an herbal supplement primarily recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. There is strong evidence for its effectiveness in managing knee osteoarthritis and moderate evidence regarding its potential benefits for glycemic regulation in Type 2 Diabetes.
Does Boswellia work for knee osteoarthritis?
Yes, there is strong evidence that Boslimia is effective for treating knee osteoarthritis. Research indicates that using standardized extracts or combining Boswellia with curcumin can be particularly effective.
Can Boswellia help manage Type 2 Diabetes?
There is moderate evidence suggesting that Boswellia supplementation may positively impact lipid profiles and glycemic markers in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. This indicates a potential benefit for blood sugar regulation.
Is Boswellia safe to take?
Boswellia is often sought as a safer alternative to common osteoarthritis treatments that may have unfavorable safety profiles. However, you should always consult a healthcare provider to discuss your specific health needs.
Are there any known drug interactions with Boswellia?
There are currently no documented drug interactions for Boswellia in the available research. Nevertheless, it is important to speak with a doctor before starting any new supplement to ensure it is safe for you.
What is the recommended dose of Boswellia?
The provided research does not explicitly state an effective dose range for Boswellia. Because dosage can vary, it is best to follow the guidance of a medical professional.
Can Boswellia be used to treat collagenous colitis?
There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of Boswellia for treating collagenous colitis. Available studies on this condition have been limited by very small sample sizes.
Answers generated from research evidence. Not medical advice.