© Unknown author (The American Cyclopædia, 1891) · Public domain · Commons
Indian frankincense
Indischer Weihrauch · (Boswellia serrata)
Torchwood family (Burseraceae)
Description
Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata), also called the salai tree, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree of the torchwood family (Burseraceae). It grows in the dry, rocky hill and mountain forests of India and neighbouring Pakistan. When the bark is tapped, an aromatic gum-resin exudes and hardens in the air into brownish-yellow tears - Indian frankincense (olibanum). This resin is closely related to the frankincense prized in antiquity, which became widely known as incense in temples and, through the biblical account of the gifts of the wise men from the East, in the Christian world. Its medicinally important compounds are the boswellic acids, pentacyclic triterpene acids; the lead substance 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) inhibits the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase and thereby intervenes in inflammatory processes.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
There are insufficient data on the safety of concentrated, standardised frankincense extracts in pregnancy; isolated indications of possible effects on the uterus make a safe assessment impossible. Use of the extract in pregnancy is therefore not advised.
Best-studied use: standardised Boswellia serrata extracts for osteoarthritis (especially knee osteoarthritis) and inflammatory joint pain. A systematic review with meta-analysis (Yu et al. 2020, 7 randomised trials, 545 patients) found an improvement in pain, stiffness and joint function (including WOMAC and VAS scores) for frankincense preparations compared with controls. Important caveat: the included trials were mostly small, of medium to low methodological quality, highly heterogeneous (different extracts and doses) and partly manufacturer-funded - so the evidence is promising but not yet conclusive. Mechanistically the anti-inflammatory effect is attributed mainly to inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase by AKBA.
Preparation & dosage
Standardised frankincense dry extract (obtained from the bark resin, adjusted to a defined content of boswellic acids or AKBA): usually about 300 mg two to three times daily, mostly with meals. Standardised capsules/preparations are used - the raw resin is not a suitable substitute. The effect builds up slowly over several weeks; a meaningful assessment is usually only possible after about four weeks. Seek medical advice for persistent or severe joint complaints; it does not replace a doctor-prescribed osteoarthritis therapy.
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 12 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Standardised frankincense extracts have been studied mainly in adults; there are insufficient data for children and adolescents. Use only in adults or only after medical advice.
Traditional (folk) use: Indian frankincense is one of the classic remedies of Ayurveda, where it has long been used for joint inflammation, rheumatism and sciatica. This use rests on experiential knowledge rather than controlled trials and is therefore classified as traditional.
Preparation & dosage
In Ayurvedic medicine the resin of the salai tree (Sanskrit: 'shallaki') has been used traditionally for centuries for rheumatic and arthritic joint complaints, usually as prepared resin powder or in compound formulations. No universally valid modern dose can be derived from the traditional use; for defined complaints standardised extracts should be preferred.
Standardised frankincense extracts are generally considered well tolerated. Occasionally gastrointestinal complaints occur (nausea, heartburn/reflux, fullness, diarrhoea), rarely skin rash or allergic reactions. Frankincense is NOT a substitute for a doctor-prescribed osteoarthritis or rheumatism therapy. There are insufficient safety data for pregnancy, breastfeeding and children - use should be avoided in these groups. Interactions with other medicines are still poorly studied; theoretically effects via inflammatory/clotting pathways and via the cytochrome P450 system (including CYP3A4) are possible. If you take medication, have chronic conditions or persistent joint complaints, seek medical advice before use.
There are insufficient data on the safety of concentrated, standardised frankincense extracts in pregnancy; isolated indications of possible effects on the uterus make a safe assessment impossible. Use of the extract in pregnancy is therefore not advised.
There are insufficient data on use during breastfeeding. Whether and to what extent boswellic acids pass into breast milk is unclear; during breastfeeding use should be avoided or medical advice sought beforehand.
Standardised frankincense extracts have been studied almost exclusively in adults; sufficient efficacy and safety data for children and adolescents are lacking. Use should only occur after medical advice.
Drug interactions
NSAR / entzündungshemmende Arzneimittel (NSAIDs / anti-inflammatory drugs)
Frankincense extract is itself anti-inflammatory (including via 5-lipoxygenase inhibition); when taken together with NSAIDs or other anti-inflammatory agents additive effects are theoretically conceivable. Robust clinical data are lacking - monitor use.
über CYP3A4 verstoffwechselte Arzneimittel (CYP3A4 substrates)
Boswellic acids can affect cytochrome P450 enzymes (including CYP3A4) in laboratory studies; a clinically relevant change in the blood levels of concomitant medicines is theoretically possible but not well established. For drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, monitor medically as a precaution.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to frankincense (Boswellia serrata) or other members of the torchwood family.
- Pregnancy - especially for the concentrated, standardised extract (insufficient safety data).
Harvested part: Aromatic gum-resin (olibanum) that exudes after tapping the bark in the dry season
- Time of day:
- On dry days of the dry season, when the exuding resin hardens quickly in the air.
- Drying:
- The bark is tapped; the exuding gum-resin is left to harden in the air into brownish-yellow tears and is collected after a few days. Sustainable tapping is important, as over-harvesting threatens wild populations.
- Storage:
- 24 months — Store dry, cool and dark in tightly sealed containers; the dried resin keeps well but should be protected from heat and moisture.
- Boswelliasäuren (gesamt)OtherContent: ~15-30 % des HarzesBark
Group of pentacyclic triterpene acids in the bark resin; as lipophilic resin acids they are regarded as the anti-inflammatory lead substances of Indian frankincense. (Triterpene acids, listed under 'other' for lack of a dedicated enum category.)
- 3-O-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswelliasäure (AKBA)OtherContent: ≥1 % (Qualitätskriterium)Bark
Most active single boswellic acid and principal lead compound: selectively inhibits 5-lipoxygenase and thereby dampens the formation of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. Standardised extracts are often adjusted to their AKBA content. (Pentacyclic triterpene acid - listed under 'other'.)
- β-BoswelliasäureOtherBark
Quantitatively significant boswellic acid of the resin; contributes to the triterpene-acid active profile. (Pentacyclic triterpene acid - listed under 'other'.)
- Ätherisches Öl (u. a. α-Thujen, weitere Terpene)Essential oilContent: ~5-9 %Bark
Volatile fraction of the resin, responsible for the characteristic aromatic smell when burned; contains monoterpenes such as α-thujene and further terpenes.
- Gummi-PolysaccharidePolysaccharideContent: ~15-20 %Bark
Water-soluble gum fraction of the gum-resin (including galactose and arabinose units) that gives olibanum its gum-like consistency.
- Sesquiterpene (Harzanteil)SesquiterpeneBark
Further terpene compounds of the resin fraction that contribute to the aroma and active profile of frankincense.
- [1]MonographYu G, Xiang W, Zhang T, et al. - Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20:225. PMID 32680575, DOI 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [2]MonographPubMed record: Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis (PMID 32680575)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [3]WikipediaWeihrauch - Wikipedia (Deutsch); behandelt Boswellia serrata (Indischer Weihrauch / Salaibaum), Olibanum und Boswelliasäuren(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [4]WikipediaBoswellia serrata - Wikipedia (English)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [6]CommonsFrankincense - Boswellia serrata, historic botanical plate from The American Cyclopædia (1891), public domain - Wikimedia Commons(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [5]WikidataBoswellia serrata (Q2367334) - Wikidata(accessed: 2026-07-02)
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