Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects.
The herbal extract is made from Boswellia resin found inside the tree.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
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Boswellic acids are thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Boswellia has many proposed uses.
The resin from the Boswellia tree is commonly used to make oral supplements and topical creams.
Osteoarthritis
Boswellia was found to relieve osteoarthritis pain while improving function in affected joints.
However, the researchers also noted that additional, high-quality, large trials evaluating varying dosages are needed.
Asthma
A small 2015 studyshowed promise for using Boswellia as a complementary treatment forasthma.
Boswellia is thought to suppress airway inflammation, opening up a path for normal breathing.
However, because the research is limited, Boswellia’s usefulness in IBD is still debated.
Results showed that 90% of participants saw improvements in colitis symptoms and 70% went into remission.
However, the sample size in this study was small.
However, the result suggested Boswellia serrata was generally safe and well tolerated, even with long-term use.
Larger, higher-quality studies are needed before recommending Boswellia for use in IBD.
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
However, more research is needed to confirm this add-on therapy.
What Are the Side Effects of Boswellia?
Instead, Boswellia may be used as a complementary treatment.
Boswellia is generally considered safe to use.
However, it is possible to experience side effects when taking Boswellia.
Be sure to talk with a healthcare provider before starting Boswellia supplements.
Severe Side Effects
On rare occasions, allergic reactions can occur when taking Boswellia.
This may be more likely when using topical Boswellia.
It has been reported that taking high doses of Boswellia while pregnant may cause amiscarriage.
Regardless, it may be best to avoid Boswellia while pregnant.
A healthcare provider can help you understand what supplements are safe to take while pregnant.
Precautions
Boswellia has been deemed a safe supplement to use in various studies.It comes with few precautions.
Boswellia may also be safe for children to take.
However, it would be best to talk with your child’s pediatrician before giving your child Boswellia.
It may not be suitable for everyone.
Dosage: How Much Boswellia Should I Take?
There is no standard recommended dose of Boswellia.
Different amounts have been used in studies exploring the potential health benefits of Boswellia.
One review suggested a recommended dose of 250 mg to 500 mg two to three times per day.
However, it did not state for which conditions this dose would be best.
In one study looking at people undergoingradiation, a cream that contained 2% Boswellia was used.
The cream was applied twice daily during radiation therapy and reduced skin reddening and the need for topical steroids.
The average dose of Boswellia is 300 mg three times a day.
Safety Considerations:Boswellia is likely safe, and side effects are typically minimal.
Boswellia may interact with various medications.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Boswellia?
Boswellia is not an essential nutrient that your body needs for daily living.
Because of this, there is no recommended daily intake or upper limit (UL).
No events of Boswellia overdose or toxicity have been reported.
Regardless, it’s important to take Boswellia as directed and avoid taking extra.
As with other supplements, side effects become more likely with higher doses of Boswellia.
Interactions
Boswellia may interact with certain medications.
However, there may be insufficient evidence to support specific claims regarding interactions.
Therefore, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider about taking Boswellia if you take any medications.
Onein vitro studylooking at potential drug interactions with Boswellia found that the risk of drug interactions was low.
However, researchers cautioned that people takingwarfarin, a blood thinner, should use Boswellia with caution.
More high-quality human studies using Boswellia are needed to make further conclusions.
INR is a test used to measure how long it takes blood to clot.
Boswellia supplements should not come into direct contact with sunlight or be exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Discard Boswellia supplements once expired and as indicated on the packaging.
Some supplement bottles may be recyclable.
Similar Supplements
If Boswellia isn’t the right supplement for you, you may try other options.
It can also be found in soaps, lotions, detergents, and perfumes.
you could also find it as a topical cream.
Many Boswellia supplements are gluten-free, vegan, and/or vegetarian, making them an acceptable choice for various diets.
Some conditions can have long-term health effects if they aren’t treated properly.
Summary
Boswellia supplements are rich in boswellic acids and come from the extract of theBoswellia serratatree.
Some evidence suggests Boswellia may help with arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel conditions.
There are few side effects associated with taking Boswellia, and it is generally considered safe.
Although Boswellia shows promise overall, more research is needed.
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