The Benefits of Boswellia

The Benefits of Boswellia

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) is an herbal resin made from the gum of the boswellia tree Also known as Indian frankincense, olibanum, and salai guggul, it has a long history of use in Ayurveda as a rejuvenative herb for supporting joint comfort and mental clarity.^1,

Boswellia Benefits and Uses

Boswellia serrata is viewed as an important source of boswellic acid, a naturally occurring constituent of boswellia often used in the pharmaceutical industry.⁸From an Ayurvedic perspective, boswellia is considered a rasayana or rejuvenative herb with bitter, pungent, astringent, and sweet tastes (rasa). Supportive for all of the dhatus or tissues of the body, boswellia is thought to be balancing for all doshas

Benefits of Boswellia

• Joint and Bone Health. In Ayurveda, boswellia gum resin is revered for its ability to promote joint comfort and mobility thanks to its soothing, detoxifying effect on the bone tissue (asthi dhatu).
• Detoxification. Boswellia promotes healthy circulation and helps facilitate the removal of ama (natural toxins) in addition to clearing blockages from the channels of the body (srotamsi).¹¹
• Menstrual Comfort. Boswellia’s inherently soothing, cleansing qualities can promote a more comfortable menstrual period, especially to those who experience pitta-type menstrual cycles.¹²
• Mental Health. Boswellia is thought to open the mind and to have an effect on ajna chakra, the sixth chakra, which is associated with deep knowledge and intuition and has a connection with the pineal gland.¹³

Modern Research on Boswellia

Several studies have been conducted over the years regarding boswellia and its benefits, including how boswellic acids interact with the body. Here are a few of the most prominent studies on boswellia from recent years:

• “Boswellia serrata: an overall assessment of in vitro, preclinical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data.” PubMed Abstract. Jun 2011.¹⁴
• “Antioxidant and Ex Vivo Immune System Regulatory Properties of Boswellia serrata Extracts.” PubMed Abstract. Mar 2017.¹⁵
• “In vitro metabolism, permeation, and brain availability of six major boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata gum resins.” PubMed Abstract. Jan 2013.¹⁶
• “Boswellia: An evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.” PubMed Abstract. Feb 2004.¹⁷
• “Enhanced absorption of boswellic acids by a micellar solubilized delivery form of Boswellia extract.” Science Direct. Jun 2018.¹⁸