Aromatic resin from trees of the genus Boswellia
Boswellia resin (frankincense)
Boswellia resin, widely known as frankincense, is an aromatic plant resin produced by trees of the genus Boswellia. Different species grow mainly in the dry regions of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India. People have used frankincense for thousands of years as incense and in traditional systems of medicine, while modern research focuses on its chemical composition, boswellic acids and different Boswellia extracts.
What is Boswellia and what is Boswellia resin?
Boswellia is a genus of trees and shrubs in the Burseraceae family, while Boswellia resin is the aromatic material exuded by these plants. Different Boswellia species grow mainly in dry regions of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, and their resins can have different chemical profiles.
Well-known species include Boswellia serrata, Boswellia sacra and several related species. Their resins have been used for thousands of years as incense and within various traditional systems of medicine. In English these aromatic resins are commonly known as frankincense, but scientific studies need to be read more precisely: the Boswellia species and the type of resin material studied can differ considerably.
It is also important to distinguish between raw frankincense resin, Boswellia extracts and frankincense essential oil. These are not chemically identical materials. Findings from a particular extract or an isolated boswellic acid therefore cannot automatically be attributed to whole Boswellia resin.
Contents
Which Boswellia species are most relevant?
The genus Boswellia includes several species, and their resins are not chemically identical. They differ in their profiles of boswellic and other triterpenic acids, volatile compounds and histories of traditional use. Findings from one Boswellia species therefore cannot automatically be applied to another.
Boswellia serrata, Boswellia sacra and Boswellia dalzielii are particularly relevant when interpreting modern research. Much of the clinical evidence concerns extracts of B. serrata, while other Boswellia species can have substantially different chemical profiles.
Boswellia serrata
India · the most extensively studied species
Boswellia serrata, also known as Indian frankincense, is the most extensively studied Boswellia species and a major reference in modern pharmacological and clinical research. Its resin contains boswellic acids, but the proportions of individual compounds differ from those found in other Boswellia resins.
Boswellia sacra
Oman and Yemen · classic frankincense
Boswellia sacra is one of the best-known species associated with the traditional frankincense of the Arabian Peninsula. Its resin has a characteristic profile of triterpenoid and volatile compounds and differs chemically from Boswellia serrata resin.
Boswellia dalzielii
West Africa · a distinct chemical profile
Boswellia dalzielii is a West African species with a chemical profile distinct from the more extensively studied Boswellia serrata. Comparative analyses of published samples have found relatively high levels of certain keto-boswellic acids, including AKBA, although composition varies between individual resin samples.
What does Boswellia resin contain?
Boswellia resin is a complex mixture of many organic compounds, and its composition varies between individual Boswellia species as well as between different samples of the same species. Boswellic acids are among its most extensively studied constituents, but they represent only part of the resin's broader chemical profile.
The resin also contains other triterpenoids and volatile aromatic compounds. Their relative proportions can vary with species, geographical origin, individual resin sample and the way the material has been prepared. Boswellia resin therefore cannot be reduced to a single “main active compound”.
Boswellic acids
Boswellic acids are pentacyclic triterpenic acids characteristic of the resin fraction of many Boswellia species. Frequently studied compounds include BA, ABA, KBA and AKBA, which occur in different structural forms.
The proportions of these compounds can vary considerably between Boswellia species. Neither AKBA nor any other individual boswellic acid therefore represents the complete chemical profile of the resin.
Other triterpenoids
Boswellic acids are not the only triterpenoids present in Boswellia resin. Related compounds include lupeolic and acetyl-lupeolic acids, tirucallic acids and other triterpenoids.
Their profiles also vary between species. A broader analysis of the resin therefore reveals considerably more than measuring only one or two of the best-known boswellic acids.
Volatile aromatic compounds
Boswellia resin also contains volatile terpenes and other aromatic compounds that contribute substantially to the characteristic fragrance of frankincense. Their composition can vary considerably between species and individual samples.
This volatile fraction is not the same as the non-volatile resin fraction containing boswellic and other triterpenic acids. Frankincense essential oil therefore cannot be regarded as equivalent to the whole resin.
How has frankincense been used throughout history?
Resins from trees of the genus Boswellia, commonly known as frankincense or olibanum, have a history of use spanning several millennia. Across different cultures they were valued primarily as fragrant incense, traded commodities and materials used within traditional systems of medicine.
Ancient Egypt and ritual use
Incense played an important role in ancient Egyptian religious and funerary practices. Egyptian texts and depictions document the burning of fragrant resins in temples as well as trade with regions from which these valuable materials were obtained.
Arabia and the incense trade
Frankincense became an important commodity of southern Arabia. Caravan routes, and later maritime trade, connected the region with Egypt, the Mediterranean and other parts of the ancient world. Its value reflected both the restricted growing regions of Boswellia trees and the widespread demand for aromatic resins.
India and the Ayurvedic tradition
In India, particularly Boswellia serrata has a long history of use within Ayurveda. Resin preparations formed part of various traditional practices that have subsequently also become the subject of modern pharmacological and clinical research.
Frankincense in religious traditions
Frankincense retained an important role in later religious traditions. In the Christian tradition it appears among the gifts brought by the Magi, together with gold and myrrh. Its history therefore connects trade, ritual, fragrance and traditional use across very different cultural settings.
A long history of use demonstrates the cultural and historical importance of frankincense, but does not in itself demonstrate therapeutic efficacy. Traditional accounts therefore need to be distinguished from findings of modern laboratory and clinical research.
What does scientific research say about Boswellia?
Boswellia has been investigated in laboratory, pharmacological and clinical studies, but the evidence is not equally strong for every use. It is also important to identify what was actually studied: raw resin, a particular Boswellia species, a standardised extract or an isolated boswellic acid are not the same materials.
Most clinical research has focused on extracts of Boswellia serrata, particularly in relation to osteoarthritis and joint symptoms. Other areas and biological mechanisms have also been studied, but much of the evidence remains limited by small study populations, differences between preparations and variable study quality.
Findings from a particular extract or isolated compound therefore cannot automatically be attributed to whole Boswellia resin or to every product containing Boswellia-derived ingredients.
Joints and osteoarthritis
The largest body of clinical Boswellia research concerns osteoarthritis and joint symptoms. Studies have generally used standardised extracts, particularly from Boswellia serrata, and have assessed pain, stiffness and physical function.
Some trials and meta-analyses report improvements in these outcomes compared with placebo, but the extracts, doses and quality of the studies vary considerably. These findings therefore cannot be directly applied to raw resin or to every Boswellia preparation.
Inflammatory processes and mechanisms
Boswellic acids and Boswellia extracts have been investigated in numerous laboratory and cellular models of inflammatory responses. Studied targets include enzymes, lipid mediators, signalling pathways and responses of immune cells.
Considerable attention has been given to 5-lipoxygenase and AKBA, but more recent evidence suggests that the actions of Boswellia cannot be explained by a single mechanism or compound. A finding in a laboratory model also does not, by itself, demonstrate a clinical effect in humans.
Respiratory and digestive conditions
Extracts of Boswellia serrata have also been investigated in small clinical studies involving asthma and certain inflammatory bowel conditions. Some findings are of interest, but both the number of studies and the number of participants remain limited.
The available evidence is therefore insufficient for firm conclusions about effectiveness. Here too, it is important to distinguish a specific standardised extract from raw resin and from individual Boswellia constituents.
Frankincense resin, extract or essential oil?
Raw frankincense resin, Boswellia extracts and frankincense essential oil are not the same materials. They are obtained in different ways and contain different proportions of compounds, so findings from one cannot automatically be applied to another.
This distinction is particularly important when interpreting Boswellia research. Clinical studies often investigate standardised extracts, chemical studies may examine the raw resin, while essential oil mainly represents its volatile aromatic fraction.
Raw frankincense resin
Raw resin is the natural exudate produced by the tree and is a complex oleo-gum-resin. It contains non-volatile resin constituents, volatile aromatic compounds and a gum or polysaccharide fraction.
Its composition depends on the Boswellia species, geographical origin and individual sample. Two materials simply labelled “Boswellia” or “frankincense” are therefore not necessarily chemically identical.
Boswellia extract
An extract contains only part of the compounds present in the original resin. Which constituents are extracted, and in what proportions, depends on the solvent, the source material and the preparation method.
Many clinical studies of Boswellia therefore investigate particular, often standardised extracts rather than raw frankincense resin. Their findings apply to the material that was actually studied and cannot automatically be attributed to every Boswellia resin.
Frankincense essential oil
Frankincense essential oil mainly represents the volatile aromatic fraction of the resin. It contains various terpenes and other volatile compounds that contribute strongly to the characteristic fragrance of frankincense.
Boswellic acids belong predominantly to the non-volatile resin fraction, so essential oil is not simply “concentrated frankincense resin”. Its chemistry and research context differ from those of raw resin or extracts rich in non-volatile triterpenoids.
Is Boswellia safe?
The safety of Boswellia cannot be assessed without considering the form, dose and route of use. Raw resin, standardised extracts and frankincense essential oil have different compositions, so safety information for one material cannot automatically be applied to another.
Extracts of Boswellia serrata have generally been well tolerated by adults in several short- to medium-term clinical studies. However, these data mainly concern particular oral preparations and doses, rather than every Boswellia species or every form of use.
With topical use, susceptible individuals may experience skin irritation or other adverse skin reactions. If marked redness, itching or another persistent reaction develops after application, use should be discontinued.
Particular caution is appropriate during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there is insufficient information on the use of medicinal amounts of Boswellia in these circumstances. People taking medicines should also check the particular preparation and possible interactions with a doctor or pharmacist.
Frankincense essential oil should not be treated as equivalent to a resin extract. It is a concentrated volatile fraction, so its method of use, dilution and any internal use should follow the instructions for the specific product.
How does Boswellia resin differ from spruce resin?
Spruce resin and Boswellia resin are both natural tree resins, but chemically they belong to quite different systems. Norway spruce resin from Picea abies contains mainly diterpene resin acids, terpenes and other compounds characteristic of conifer resins. In Boswellia resin, important non-volatile constituents include boswellic acids and other triterpenic acids.
They also differ in botanical origin, geographical distribution, traditional use and research history. The shared term “resin” therefore does not mean that they have the same composition or properties, nor can research findings from one resin be directly applied to the other.
Frequently asked questions about Boswellia and frankincense resin
What is Boswellia?
Boswellia is a genus of trees and shrubs in the Burseraceae family. Various Boswellia species produce an aromatic oleo-gum-resin commonly known as frankincense or olibanum. Well-known species include Boswellia serrata, Boswellia sacra and Boswellia dalzielii.
Is Boswellia resin the same as frankincense?
Frankincense, or olibanum, is the general name used for aromatic resins obtained from several species of the genus Boswellia. The word incense can be used more broadly for other aromatic materials that are burned. Boswellia resin is the natural material from which traditional frankincense originates.
Are all Boswellia species the same?
No. Different Boswellia species vary in their chemical composition, the proportions of boswellic and other triterpenic acids, and their volatile fractions. Findings from one species therefore cannot automatically be applied to another. Most modern clinical research has been conducted with extracts of Boswellia serrata.
What are boswellic acids?
Boswellic acids are a group of pentacyclic triterpenic acids found in the non-volatile resin fraction of many Boswellia species. Frequently studied examples include BA, ABA, KBA and AKBA. They are an important part of Boswellia chemistry, but they are not the only constituents of the resin, and no single boswellic acid represents the resin as a whole.
Is frankincense essential oil the same as resin or an extract?
No. Frankincense essential oil mainly represents the volatile aromatic fraction of the resin, whereas boswellic and other triterpenic acids are found mainly in the non-volatile fraction. An extract contains the constituents transferred from the resin by the particular extraction process. Raw resin, extract and essential oil are therefore not interchangeable materials.
What do Boswellia capsules contain?
This depends on the product. Capsules may contain powdered material or different Boswellia extracts, some of which are standardised for particular constituents. The word “Boswellia” on a label therefore does not by itself identify the material inside. The species, type of extract and declared composition of the particular product need to be considered.
What does scientific research say about Boswellia?
The largest body of clinical evidence concerns particular Boswellia serrata extracts, especially in osteoarthritis and joint symptoms. Laboratory research and smaller clinical studies also exist in other areas. Results are of interest, but the extracts, doses and study quality vary, so findings cannot be generalised to every Boswellia resin or preparation.
Is Boswellia safe?
Safety depends on the particular material, dose and route of use. Certain Boswellia serrata extracts have generally been well tolerated by adults in clinical studies, but this does not mean that every resin, extract and essential oil has the same safety profile. Information on medicinal amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited, and possible interactions should be checked for the particular preparation when medicines are also used.
How does Boswellia resin differ from spruce resin?
Both are tree resins, but their chemistry is quite different. Important non-volatile constituents of spruce resin include diterpene resin acids, whereas Boswellia resin contains boswellic and other triterpenic acids. They also differ in botanical origin, traditional use and research history. Detailed comparison of spruce resin and Boswellia resin →