{"entity":{"id":"boswellia","kind":"technology","name":"Boswellia (frankincense) extracts","aka":["Boswellia serrata","Frankincense","Olibanum","Boswellic acid"],"tldr":"Boswellia, the resin known as frankincense, is used for arthritis and inflammation. Early studies suggest it may reduce brain swelling after radiotherapy for brain tumours and skin damage from breast radiotherapy, and a formula including it eased aromatase-inhibitor joint pain, but these need larger trials before anyone can rely on them.","summary":"Boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata resin inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and have anti-inflammatory effects. Memorial Sloan Kettering's About Herbs entry reports clinical studies in osteoarthritis that are mostly positive but conflicting, and supplements containing boswellia reduced aromatase-inhibitor joint pain. In cancer care, preliminary findings suggest boswellia may reduce cerebral oedema in people with brain tumours after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, topical use prevented radiation skin damage in breast cancer patients, and boswellia formulations reduced breast density, a risk marker. MSK notes that larger trials are needed to confirm these effects. Laboratory work shows cytotoxic and radiation-enhancing effects in cancer cells. Boswellia is generally well tolerated; contact dermatitis and a gastric bezoar after excessive intake are reported. It inhibits platelet aggregation, which may add to anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, and modulates the drug transporters P-glycoprotein, OATP1B3 and MRP2 in vitro, which could matter for oral cancer drugs; clinical relevance is unknown. It should not be confused with guggul or myrrh.","status":"phase-2","asOf":"2026-11-04","links":[{"label":"MSK About Herbs: Boswellia (page last updated 3 September 2026)","url":"https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/boswellia"}],"tags":["complementary","supportive-care","evidence:insufficient"],"related":["bromelain","glucosamine"],"cancers":["glioblastoma"],"sections":["supportive-care","radiation"],"technologies":["integrative-oncology","dietary-supplements-treatment-interactions","ayurvedic-medicine-cancer","acupuncture-aromatase-inhibitor-arthralgia"],"targets":[],"drugs":[],"companies":[],"institutions":[],"pathways":[],"terms":["brain-metastases","radiation-dermatitis","aromatase-inhibitor"],"trials":[],"people":[],"bottlenecks":["b-toxicity-qol"],"keyPapers":[],"journals":[],"dependsOn":[],"notes":[],"principle":"Boswellic acids inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene synthesis, reducing inflammatory oedema; this is the rationale for its use in radiation-related brain swelling.","strengths":["Generally well tolerated","Preliminary signals for radiation brain oedema, radiation dermatitis and aromatase-inhibitor joint pain"],"limitations":["Small, preliminary oncology studies","Platelet and drug-transporter effects","Products vary in boswellic acid content"]},"route":"/technologies/boswellia/","neighbours":{"technology":[{"id":"acupuncture-aromatase-inhibitor-arthralgia","kind":"technology","name":"Acupuncture for aromatase-inhibitor joint pain","route":"/technologies/acupuncture-aromatase-inhibitor-arthralgia/"},{"id":"ayurvedic-medicine-cancer","kind":"technology","name":"Ayurvedic medicine and cancer","route":"/technologies/ayurvedic-medicine-cancer/"},{"id":"bromelain","kind":"technology","name":"Bromelain (pineapple enzyme)","route":"/technologies/bromelain/"},{"id":"dietary-supplements-treatment-interactions","kind":"technology","name":"Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms","route":"/technologies/dietary-supplements-treatment-interactions/"},{"id":"integrative-oncology","kind":"technology","name":"Evidence-based integrative oncology","route":"/technologies/integrative-oncology/"},{"id":"glucosamine","kind":"technology","name":"Glucosamine and chondroitin","route":"/technologies/glucosamine/"}],"cancer":[{"id":"glioblastoma","kind":"cancer","name":"Glioma & glioblastoma","route":"/cancers/glioblastoma/"}],"section":[{"id":"radiation","kind":"section","name":"Radiation Therapy","route":"/fronts/radiation/"},{"id":"supportive-care","kind":"section","name":"Supportive Care & Survivorship","route":"/fronts/supportive-care/"}],"term":[{"id":"aromatase-inhibitor","kind":"term","name":"Aromatase inhibitor","route":"/terms/aromatase-inhibitor/"},{"id":"brain-metastases","kind":"term","name":"Brain metastases (intracranial disease)","route":"/terms/brain-metastases/"},{"id":"radiation-dermatitis","kind":"term","name":"Radiation dermatitis (skin reaction)","route":"/terms/radiation-dermatitis/"}],"bottleneck":[{"id":"b-toxicity-qol","kind":"bottleneck","name":"Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued","route":"/bottlenecks/b-toxicity-qol/"}]}}