Boswellia

Small proof-of-principle trials in different neurological conditions suggest that Boswellia may modestly protect against neuroinflammation, but confirmatory trials are needed.

Our search identified:

• 1 pilot clinical trial of Boswellia serrata + Mellisa officinalis for age-related memory decline
• 2 pilot clinical trials for Boswellia (Boswellia serrata and Boswellia papyrifera) for multiple sclerosis
• 1 pilot clinical trial for Boswellia serrata in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease
• 1 pilot clinical trial for Boswellia serrata in ischemic stroke
• 1 pilot clinical trial for Boswellia serrata in traumatic brain injury
• Numerous preclinical mechanistic studies

The combination of Boswellia serrata with the herb lemon balm was associated with improved memory scores in a small clinical study of older adults [1]. After taking the combination for one month, participants showed minor improvements in immediate memory and working memory, relative to the placebo group. Since inflammation is linked to brain aging, Boswellia may modestly help cognitive function by reducing age-related inflammation. In pilot clinical trials ranging from 60 to 80 patients, Boswellia extract was found to mitigate declines on some measures of cognitive function in the context of neurological disease or injury, but the overall effects were minor [2; 3; 4; 5]. Benefits to brain function were associated with its anti-inflammatory activity.

For Dementia Patients

One study including 85 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease found that treatment with Boswellia serrata extract for six months led to an improvement on a rating scale of dementia severity, however, additional details about the study and the potential clinical significance have not yet been disclosed [6].

Boswellia extracts have been safely used for hundreds of years as part of traditional Ayurvedic and Persian medicine [7]. In most clinical trials, the side effect profile of Boswellia was similar to placebo, and is generally well-tolerated. There are no known drug interactions with Boswellia. 

NOTE: This is not a comprehensive safety evaluation or complete list of potentially harmful drug interactions. It is important to discuss safety issues with your physician before taking any new supplement or medication.

Boswellia is available as an herbal supplement, and is generally standardized according to levels of the two major bioactive boswellic acids, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA), and acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid (AKBA), containing at least 1% each [7]. The use of phytosome technology, or the complexing of an active ingredient with lipids, increases the ability of the boswellic acids to be absorbed and used in the body [8]. Doses of standard Boswellia extract range from 300 to 500 mg two or three times per day, while the lipid-complexed forms use lower dosages of 100 to 250 mg once per day [9]. Taking Boswellia with food also increases its absorption.

For more information on the history, use, and safety see Drugs.com

Full scientific report (PDF) on Cognitive Vitality Reports

1. Taghizadeh M, Maghaminejad F, Aghajani M et al. (2018) The effect of tablet containing Boswellia serrata and Melisa officinalis extract on older adults' memory: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 75, 146-150.
2. Majdinasab N, Siahpush A, Mousavinejad SK et al. (2016) Effect of Boswellia serrata on cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis patients. Journal of Herbal Medicine 6, 119-127.
3. Sedighi B, Pardakhty A, Kamali H et al. (2014) Effect of Boswellia papyrifera on cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Iran J Neurol 13, 149-153.
4. Baram SM, Karima S, Shateri S et al. (2019) Functional improvement and immune-inflammatory cytokines profile of ischaemic stroke patients after treatment with boswellic acids: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot trial. Inflammopharmacology 27, 1101-1112.
5. Moein P, Abbasi Fard S, Asnaashari A et al. (2013) The effect of Boswellia Serrata on neurorecovery following diffuse axonal injury. A Brain Injury 27, 1454-1460.
6. Irct2015051822306N (2016) Evaluation the efficasy of Boswellia serrata on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease.
7. Abdel-Tawab M, Werz O, Schubert-Zsilavecz M (2011) Boswellia serrata. Clinical Pharmacokinetics 50, 349-369.
8. Riva A, Giacomelli L, Togni S et al. (2019) Oral administration of a lecithin-based delivery form of boswellic acids (Casperome®) for the prevention of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical study. Minerva gastroenterologica e dietologica 65, 30-35.
9. rxlist Boswellia