Boswellia
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) is a dietary supplement with 18 published peer-reviewed studies involving 700 participants, researched for Joint Health & Osteoarthritis, Inflammation, Pain Relief.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Joint Health & Osteoarthritis
StrongInflammation
StrongPain Relief
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Joint Health & Osteoarthritis
To evaluate Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) efficacy in knee osteoarthritis
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) efficacy in knee osteoarthritis
Dose
333 mg BSE three times daily
Participants
30 patients with knee OA
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in knee pain, stiffness, and increased knee flexion vs placebo (p<0.001).
How They Measured It
WOMAC pain scale, VAS, mobility
To assess the fast-acting efficacy of standardised Boswellia extract in knee OA
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the fast-acting efficacy of standardised Boswellia extract in knee OA
Dose
100 mg or 250 mg standardised BSE
Participants
128 knee OA patients
Duration
90 days
Results
Significant pain and function improvements observed from day 5 onwards in both BSE groups vs placebo.
How They Measured It
WOMAC, patient global impression, knee strength
To assess Boswellia and Apium graveolens combination on knee OA and cartilage degeneration
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Boswellia and Apium graveolens combination on knee OA and cartilage degeneration
Dose
Boswellia 200 mg + Apium extract
Participants
62 knee OA patients
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in pain, stiffness, and function scores; reduced cartilage degeneration on MRI.
How They Measured It
WOMAC, VAS, MRI cartilage assessment
To evaluate effectiveness of Boswellia and its extract in osteoarthritis patients
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate effectiveness of Boswellia and its extract in osteoarthritis patients
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple trials pooled
Duration
Various
Results
Boswellia significantly reduced pain and improved function in OA; SMD -0.69 for pain relief (p<0.0001).
How They Measured It
Pain scores, physical function, WOMAC
Clinical Benefits of Boswellia Serrata (BOSMAX®) in Early Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Clinical Benefits of Boswellia Serrata (BOSMAX®) in Early Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa, Boswellia serrata, and their mixed formulation in treating knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa, Boswellia serrata, and their mixed formulation in treating knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Effect of a combination of C. longa and B. serrata extracts on hand osteoarthritis. Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Effect of a combination of C. longa and B. serrata extracts on hand osteoarthritis. Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
The effect of turmeric-Boswellia formulation (Rhuleave-K) in posture-related low back soreness and discomfort: A randomized double blinded placebo controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
The effect of turmeric-Boswellia formulation (Rhuleave-K) in posture-related low back soreness and discomfort: A randomized double blinded placebo controlled trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Randomized controlled trial of bromelain and alpha-lipoic acid in breast conservative surgery
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Randomized controlled trial of bromelain and alpha-lipoic acid in breast conservative surgery
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Inflammation
To investigate anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellic acid in inflammatory bowel disease
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellic acid in inflammatory bowel disease
Dose
400 mg Boswellia extract 3x daily
Participants
44 Crohn's disease patients
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Boswellia maintained remission in 59% of patients vs 26% placebo; significant reduction in CRP.
How They Measured It
Crohn's Disease Activity Index, CRP, gut biopsy
To evaluate BSE on inflammatory markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate BSE on inflammatory markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Dose
1200 mg/day BSE
Participants
81 RA patients
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in joint tenderness, swelling, and inflammatory markers vs placebo (p<0.001).
How They Measured It
CRP, ESR, joint tenderness and swelling
To assess anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia in asthma patients
Study Type
Randomised, controlled
Purpose
To assess anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia in asthma patients
Dose
300 mg BSE 3x daily
Participants
80 bronchial asthma patients
Duration
6 weeks
Results
70% of BSE group showed improvements in asthma symptoms and lung function vs 27% placebo (p<0.001).
How They Measured It
Lung function tests (FEV1, FVC), asthma symptoms
Pain Relief
To test Boswellia's efficacy for low back pain in patients with degenerative disc disease
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To test Boswellia's efficacy for low back pain in patients with degenerative disc disease
Dose
500 mg Boswellia extract twice daily
Participants
120 adults with low back pain
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant pain reduction and functional improvement vs placebo (VAS -42% vs -18%, p<0.001).
How They Measured It
VAS pain score, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire
To compare Boswellia with diclofenac for pain relief in knee OA
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To compare Boswellia with diclofenac for pain relief in knee OA
Dose
200 mg Boswellia extract
Participants
66 OA patients
Duration
6 months
Results
Both treatments equally effective at reducing pain; Boswellia showed superior tolerability profile.
How They Measured It
WOMAC pain, Karnofsky performance scale
To test Boswellia on exercise-induced muscle soreness and recovery
Study Type
Randomised, crossover
Purpose
To test Boswellia on exercise-induced muscle soreness and recovery
Dose
2400 mg/day Boswellia serrata
Participants
29 healthy trained males
Duration
7 days pre/post exercise
Results
Significant reduction in perceived muscle soreness and faster recovery vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Perceived soreness VAS, CK levels, recovery time
To systematically review clinical evidence for Boswellia in musculoskeletal pain conditions
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To systematically review clinical evidence for Boswellia in musculoskeletal pain conditions
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple trials
Duration
Various
Results
Strong evidence for Boswellia in osteoarthritis and inflammatory conditions; 7/7 trials showed positive outcomes.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of RCTs
To evaluate Boswellia in reducing pain from knee OA vs placebo over 4 months
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Boswellia in reducing pain from knee OA vs placebo over 4 months
Dose
100 mg AKBA-rich Boswellia extract
Participants
60 knee OA patients
Duration
4 months
Results
Significant improvement in pain and function from week 4 through week 16 vs placebo (p<0.05).
How They Measured It
WOMAC, patient global assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Boswellia research
There are currently 18 peer-reviewed studies on Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), involving 700 total participants. Research covers Joint health, Inflammation, Pain relief. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (14 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Boswellia has been researched for: Joint health, Inflammation, Pain relief. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 14 out of 18 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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