Evidence supporting the use of: Boswellia serrata
For the health condition: Bursitis

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Boswellia serrata, also known as Indian frankincense, is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies have demonstrated that Boswellia extracts contain boswellic acids, which inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes such as 5-lipoxygenase. While there is moderate evidence supporting its efficacy in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, direct clinical evidence for its use in treating bursitis specifically is limited. However, given that bursitis is characterized by inflammation of the bursa, and since Boswellia has shown anti-inflammatory effects in conditions with similar inflammatory mechanisms, some practitioners and sources extrapolate its potential benefits to bursitis.

Available studies in humans focus primarily on joint pain, osteoarthritis, and soft tissue inflammation, showing moderate improvement in pain and swelling with Boswellia supplementation compared to placebo. Animal studies also support anti-inflammatory effects, but clinical trials specific to bursitis are lacking. Therefore, the use of Boswellia serrata for bursitis is supported by plausible scientific rationale and some indirect evidence, but high-quality, direct clinical trials are not yet available. The evidence rating is moderate (2/5), reflecting limited but suggestive scientific support rather than robust clinical validation for bursitis specifically.

More about Boswellia serrata
More about Bursitis

Products containing Boswellia serrata

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.