Evidence supporting the use of: Boswellia
For the health condition: Psoriasis

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Synopsis

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

Boswellia serrata, commonly known as Indian frankincense, has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. In terms of scientific validation for psoriasis, there is some emerging but limited evidence. Boswellic acids, the active constituents of Boswellia, have been shown in laboratory and animal studies to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes such as 5-lipoxygenase and reduce leukotriene formation, both of which are involved in the inflammatory process associated with psoriasis.

Small clinical studies and case reports have explored Boswellia’s potential benefits in inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis. For example, a randomized controlled trial (Sontakke et al., 2008) demonstrated that a topical formulation of Boswellia extract led to improvement in symptoms of mild-to-moderate psoriasis compared to placebo. However, these studies are generally small, have methodological limitations, and are not sufficient to draw firm conclusions. The evidence base is therefore limited and does not yet meet the standards of robust clinical validation.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary clinical evidence supporting the use of Boswellia in psoriasis, the evidence is still emerging and not yet strong enough to make definitive recommendations. More large-scale, high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this indication.

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Products containing Boswellia

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