When to take Boswellia Extract | PlanYourVitamins.com

What is boswellia extract good for?

Short answer: Boswellia extract has potential benefits for inflammation, joint health, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer prevention.

Boswellia extract is a type of gum resin that is extracted from the Boswellia serrata tree, which you have probably heard more often under the name frankincense, although in this case it is specifically called Indian frankincense. The biblical frankincense that we are more familiar with comes from a slightly different tree, Boswellia sacra.

In addition to its aromatic applications, boswellia has been used for its medicinal properties for millennia across many civilizations, including Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, together with many well-documented uses in the middle east.

Boswellia extract for inflammation

Specifically, boswellia is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which are achieved through its active ingredient, boswellic acid. This acid has been demonstrated to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, and these anti-inflammatory effects have been studied for their role in treating diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Not only is boswellia able to reduce inflammation, it has also been shown to significantly increase mobility and suppress pain associated with osteoarthritis, and it starts to take effect within just a couple of weeks.

Other studies show that boswellia can reduce inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and could potentially be useful in treating certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer or leukemia.

When should I take boswellia extract?

Short answer: Boswellia extract is best taken with a meal, at any time of day, preferably including fatty foods (fish, meat, eggs, dairy, avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds).

The active ingredients of any boswellia extract supplement are the boswellic acids, however our body has a difficult time absorbing these acids properly by themselves, which is why it is generally advised to take boswellia extract together with a fat-rich meal, as this has been demonstrated to significantly increase the overall absorption of the boswellic acids.

That said, there can be some difference between different types of boswellia supplement, with varying concentrations of boswellic acid, so for best results, double check with the instructions to see if there are any particular guidelines for your specific supplement.

What does boswellia extract combine well with?

Short answer: Boswellia Extract has been shown to work well together with curcumin and MSM.

Boswellia with curcumin, for osteoarthritis

One 12-week study in people suffering from osteoarthritis involved the combined supplementation of boswellia extract with curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties.

The study found that pain related symptoms of osteoarthritis were significantly reduced in the group that took the combination, compared to those that took them individually, implying a synergistic effect between curcumin and boswellic acid when it comes to dealing with joint inflammation, and the pain associated with it.

Boswellia with MSM, for osteoarthritis

Methylsulfonylmethane, commonly referred to as MSM, is another supplement that is often taken for reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. One study revealed that daily supplementation of 5g of MSM, combined with 7g of boswellic acid, was even more effective than glucosamine (another supplement often used for treating joint problems) at reducing pain and improving mobility in people that suffered from osteoarthritis of the knee.

Interestingly, the people in the group that received the combination of MSM and boswellic acid were also less dependent on anti-inflammatory medications than the group that took glucosamine.

Boswellia Extract data sources & further reading

Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025