Growing evidence suggests that boswellia has anti-inflammatory effects.^5-8 On this basis, the herb has been tried for a number of conditions in which inflammation is involved, including painful conditions such as bursitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendonitis. For the same reason, it has also been tried forasthma and inflammatory bowel disease ( ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease). In addition, boswellia has shown promise for the relatively rare disease of the colon in which inflammation plays a role: collagenous colitis.¹⁴

Furthermore, extracts of boswellia have been studied as an aid to standard care for malignant glioma (a type of incurable brain tumor).^9-11 Use of boswellia appears to decrease symptoms, probably by decreasing inflammation in the brain (as well as through other mechanisms). However, this has not been proven, and individuals with cancer should not use boswellia (or any other herb or supplement) except on physician’s advice.

What Is the Scientific Evidence for Boswellia?

Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to a review of unpublished studies, preliminary double-blind trials have found boswellia effective in relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.² Two placebo-controlled studies, involving a total of 81 people with rheumatoid arthritis, reportedly found significant reductions in swelling and pain over the course of 3 months. In addition, a comparative study of 60 people over 6 months found that boswellia extract produced symptomatic benefits comparable to oral gold therapy. However, this review was rather sketchy on details.

A more recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 78 people with rheumatoid arthritis found no benefit.³ However, about half of the patients dropped out, which seriously diminishes the significance of the results.

Asthma

A 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 80 people with relatively mild asthmafound that treatment with boswellia at a dose of 300 mg 3 times daily reduced the frequency of asthma attacks and improved objective measurements of breathing capacity.⁴

Osteoarthritis

In a double-blind study of 30 people with osteoarthritisof the knee, researchers compared boswellia against placebo.¹³ Participants received either boswellia or placebo for 8 weeks and were then switched over to the opposite treatment for an additional 8 weeks. The results showed significantly greater improvement in knee pain, knee mobility, and walking distance with boswellia compared to placebo.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 102 people with Crohn’s diseasecompared a standardized boswellia extract against the drug mesalazine.¹² Participants taking boswellia fared at least as well as those taking mesalazine, according to a standard score of Crohn’s disease severity. A small, poorly designed trial found some indications that boswellia might also offer benefit in ulcerative colitis.⁴

Dosage

A typical dose of boswellia is 300 to 400 mg 3 times a day of an extract standardized to contain 37.5% boswellic acids. Some studies have used dosages as high as 1,200 mg 3 times daily.

Safety Issues

In clinical trials of pharmaceutical grade standardized boswellia extract, no serious side effects have been reported. Crude herb preparations, however, may not be as safe as the specially manufactured extract. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.