Indian frankincense
Boswellia serrata
Other names: Shallaki (शल्लकी), Salai guggul, Indian olibanum, Indian frankincense
Photo credit: J.M.Garg
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Mild; GI upset, nausea, acid reflux, occasional diarrhea. No serious toxicity at studied doses; long-term data limited.
Contraindications: Pregnancy (insufficient data; traditionally avoided); caution in inflammatory bowel disease flares.
Interactions: May affect CYP-metabolized drugs (CYP3A4 modulation reported); additive with NSAIDs/leukotriene-pathway drugs; theoretical immunomodulation.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Insufficient data; traditionally avoided.
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
standardized resin extract · oleo-gum-resin
Part used: oleo-gum-resin
Traditional use: joint pain/arthritis (knee osteoarthritis), respiratory conditions
Proposed mechanism: Boswellic acids (AKBA) inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene B4 synthesis (non-COX anti-inflammatory); AKBA bioavailability low, improved by lipid co-administration
Dosage note (descriptive only): Knee-OA trials ~100-250 mg/day enriched products (or higher non-enriched) over 4-12 weeks
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
N/A; bioactives are boswellic acids (e.g., AKBA).
Healing traditions
Sources (4)
- Yu 2020, BMC Complement Med Ther (PMID 32680575)
- Bannuru 2018, Semin Arthritis Rheum (PMID 29622343)
- Dalmonte 2024, Phytother Res (PMID 39314013)
- Abdel-Tawab 2011, Clin Pharmacokinet (PMID 21553931)