Boswellic acids, the active constituents of Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense), are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and have traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine for inflammatory conditions. The interest in their use for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is based on their ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as 5-lipoxygenase, and reduce leukotriene synthesis, which are believed to play a role in gut inflammation.

However, scientific evidence supporting the use of boswellic acids specifically for IBS is limited and not robust. Most clinical studies and trials involving Boswellia extracts focus on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which are distinct from IBS in terms of pathophysiology. Some small clinical trials and animal studies suggest that Boswellia extracts may aid in reducing gut inflammation and improving gastrointestinal symptoms, but these results are largely extrapolated to IBS without direct evidence. A few pilot studies have evaluated Boswellia in mixed patient populations or as part of combination herbal therapies, but their design and sample sizes limit the strength of their conclusions.

In summary, while there is a plausible mechanism and some preliminary evidence from related gastrointestinal conditions, rigorous clinical trials directly assessing boswellic acids in IBS patients are lacking. Therefore, the scientific evidence supporting its use for IBS is weak (rated 2/5).