Natural Products

Indian Frankincense

Boswellia serrata

Efficacy

• Indications with proven efficacy:
  None
• Used for these indications, but with no proof of efficacy:
  Arthritis
  Asthma
  Blood purifier
  Ulcerative colitis
  Ulcers
  Wound healing

Security

• Risk of Drug Interactions: Low
• Adverse Effects: Rare

What is it?

The Boswellia tree grows in dry, mountainous parts of India. The resin obtained from incision in its bark, called Indian frankincense, is used for its medicinal value. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Indian medicine to cure several diseases. Indian frankincense's anti-inflammatory activity appears to result from the presence of boswellic acid and its derivatives, which have effects similar to traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). However, long-term Indian frankincense use does not appear to be associated with gastric irritation or ulceration. In addition, its anti-inflammatory activity has been studied in some animals: these studies have shown that Indian frankincense has marked anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis effects without significant adverse effects.The active principles appear to inhibit lipooxygenase-5, a major enzyme involved in the synthesis of leukotriene. These leukotrienes act as mediators of the inflammatory process.

Warning

In 2004, Canada adopted new regulations that control the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and importing of natural health products. The new regulations also include an adverse reaction reporting system. Products that conform to the regulation's criteria are identified with a natural product number (NPN) or homeopathic medicine number (DIN-HM) and can be legally sold in Canada. This number indicates that the product meets specific criteria for safety and purity, not that it is effective for any indication.

Medicinal plants content varies naturally from plant to plant – just as fruits from the same package may vary in taste and texture. There is no standard to measure the active content of each plant. Thus, efficacy of natural products should be expected to vary from brand to brand as well as from bottle to bottle of the same brand.

For more information about the Natural Health Products Regulations, or to check if a product has been assessed, visit the Health Canada website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/index-eng.php.

Does it work?

There is no evidence that Indian frankincense is effective in any indication. However it is used to treat certain conditions in which it could be of some benefits:

• Arthritis:
  Possibly effective in the treatment of arthritic pain. A typical dose is 200 to 400 mg (extract standardized to 65% boswellic acid and derivatives) 3 times a day.
• Ulcerative colitis:
  Possibly effective. Doses of 350 mg 3 times a day have been used.

There is insufficient reliable information to conclude that Indian frankincense is effective in any other indication.

Is it safe?

• Indian frankincense is not associated with any particular toxicity. There have been reports of rare cases of diarrhea, skin rash and nausea.
• Since there no safety data available concerning its use during pregnancy and breast-feeding, pregnant and lactating women should not take Indian frankincense.
• No drug interactions are known.

Clinical notes

• The constituents of Indian frankincense (the resin obtained from the boswellia tree), boswellic acid and derivatives, have significant anti-inflammatory activity. Even though current data cannot confirm with certainty that this product is helpful in the treatment of arthritis and ulcerative colitis, they do appear promising. In addition, Indian frankincense has a reassuring adverse effect profile.

References

1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2007
2. Lininger S. et Al. The Natural Pharmacy, Prima Health, 1998
3. Facts and Comparisons, The review of Natural Products, 2000
4. Lexi-comp, Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide, 2000-2001
5. Passeportsanté.net. Boswellie. http://www.passeportsante.net