Everything You Need to Know About

Frankincense (Boswellia spp.)

Feb 26, 2026

Botanical family: Burseraceae

Parts used: Resin Gum from sap

Overview & Health Benefits

The captivating aroma of frankincense, a fragrant resin obtained from Boswellia species, has been prized for centuries, not only for its ceremonial use in incense but also for its therapeutic properties in traditional medicine systems. Ayurvedic, Chinese, and other traditional practices have employed frankincense to address inflammatory conditions, support respiratory and digestive health, and promote wound healing (Ammon, 2006; Hamidpour et al., 2013). Modern research is now exploring the potential mechanisms behind these traditional uses, investigating frankincense's effects on inflammatory pathways and its potential benefits for conditions like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of cancer (Ammon, 2006; Azadmehr et al., 2014; Ni et al., 2012).

Key Benefits:

Anti-inflammatory support
Joint comfort
Respiratory support
Digestive comfort
Skin repair
Gum health support

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Frankincense is renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, primarily attributed to boswellic acids (Ammon, 2006). These compounds are believed to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, a key enzyme involved in inflammatory processes (Siemoneit et al., 2011). Studies suggest that frankincense may be beneficial in managing conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, reducing pain and improving joint function (Ammon, 2006; De Silva et al., 2011).

Respiratory Support: Traditionally, frankincense has been used to ease respiratory ailments like bronchitis and asthma. Its potential anti-inflammatory effects may contribute to these benefits by reducing inflammation in the airways. (Gupta et al., 1998). Its antibacterial, immunomodulatory and lung protective effect also contribute to its effectiveness in the treatment of respiratory diseases (Aloitaibi et al., 2021).

Digestive Health: Ayurvedic practices utilize frankincense to address digestive complaints, such as diarrhoea and dysentery. Its traditional use as a stomachic and carminative suggests a potential role in supporting healthy digestion. A 2022 clinical trial has shown that a combination of frankincense and turmeric extracts significantly reduced bloating and abdominal pain in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome and small bowel dysbiosis (Giacosa et al., 2022).

Wound Healing: Frankincense has a long history of topical application to wounds, promoting healing and preventing infection. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties may contribute to its efficacy in wound care. A 2019 study has found that a standardized extract of Boswellia serrata promoted wound healing, likely by reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel formation, and preventing cell death (Pengzong et al., 2019).

Potential Anticancer Activity: Emerging research indicates that frankincense may possess anticancer properties. Studies have shown that certain boswellic acids can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells, suggesting potential applications in cancer therapy (Ni et al., 2012; Dozmorov et al., 2014). However, these findings are preliminary and further research is necessary.

Oral Health: Studies suggest that frankincense may be beneficial for oral health, particularly in managing gingivitis. Its anti-inflammatory properties might help reduce inflammation and plaque buildup in the gums (Khosravi et al., 2011).

Safety Profile

While frankincense is generally considered safe, some cautions and contraindications warrant attention. It's recommended to avoid frankincense during pregnancy due to a lack of sufficient safety data (Mills & Bone, 2005). Some studies on isolated frankincense compounds have reported mild gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, epigastric pain, loss of appetite, and increased stomach acid (Ammon, 2006). These effects appear to be dose-dependent, so starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it under the guidance of a healthcare professional is advisable. As with any herbal remedy, consulting with a qualified medical herbalist before using frankincense is recommended, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are taking other medications.

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References

Alotaibi, B., Negm, W. A., Elekhnawy, E., El-Masry, T. A., Elseady, W. S., Saleh, A., Alotaibi, K. N., & El-Sherbeni, S. A. (2021). Antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and lung protective effects of Boswellia dalzielii oleoresin ethanol extract in pulmonary diseases: In vitro and in vivo studies. Antibiotics, 10(12), 1444. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10121444

Ammon, H. P. T. (2006). Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases. Planta Medica, 72(12), 1100–1116. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-947227

Azadmehr, A., Ziaee, A., & Ghanei, L. et al. (2014). A randomized clinical trial study: Anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of olibanum gum in type 2 diabetic patients. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 13(3), 1003–1009. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4177622/

De Silva, V., El-Metwally, A., Ernst, E., Lewith, G., & Macfarlane, G. J. (2011). Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Rheumatology, 50(5), 911–920. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keq379

Dozmorov, M. G., Yang, Q., & Wu, W. et al. (2014). Differential effects of selective frankincense (Ru Xiang) essential oil versus non-selective sandalwood (Tan Xiang) essential oil on cultured bladder cancer cells: A microarray and bioinfomatics study. Chinese Medicine, 9(1), Article 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-8546-9-18

Giacosa, A., Riva, A., Petrangolini, G., Allegrini, P., Fazia, T., Bernardinelli, L., Peroni, G., & Rondanelli, M. (2022). Beneficial effects on abdominal bloating with an innovative food-grade formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome and small bowel dysbiosis. Nutrients, 14(3), 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030416

Gupta, I., Gupta, V., Parihar, A., Gupta, S., Lüdtke, R., Safayhi, H., & Ammon, H. P. T. (1998). Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study. European Journal of Medical Research, 3(11), 511–514. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9810030/

Hamidpour, R., Hamidpour, S., Hamidpour, M. & Shahlari, M. (2013). Frankincense (Ru Xiang; Boswellia species): From the selection of traditional applications to the novel phytotherapy for the prevention and treatment of serious diseases. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 3(4), 221–226. https://doi.org/10.4103/2225-4110.119723

Khosravi Samani, M., Mahmoodian, H., Moghadamnia, A. A. et al. (2011). The effect of frankincense in the treatment of moderate plaque-induced gingivitis: A double blinded randomized clinical trial. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19(4), 288–294. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3304380/

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2005). The essential guide to herbal safety. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Ni, X., Suhail, M. M., Yang, Q., Cao, A., Fung, K. M., Postier, R. G., & Gorski, D. H. (2012). Frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12, Article 253. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-253

Pengzong, Z., Yuanmin, L., Xiaoming, X., Shang, D., Wei, X., Zhigang, L., Dongzhou, D., Wenjing, Y., Jianbiao, Y., Yang, X., & Xia, L. (2019). Wound healing potential of the standardized extract of Boswellia serrata on experimental diabetic foot ulcer via inhibition of inflammatory, angiogenetic and apoptotic markers. Planta Medica, 85(8), 657–669. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0881-3000

Siemoneit, U., Koeberle, A., Rossi, A., Schulze-Osthoff, K., & Werz, O. (2011). Inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 as a molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory actions of boswellic acids from frankincense. British Journal of Pharmacology, 162(1), 147–162. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01020.x