Drug & supplement interaction

Boswellia Serrata + Omeprazole

Omeprazole brand names: Prilosec, Zegerid, Losec.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Omeprazole falls into 3 drug categories that Boswellia Serrata can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might increase the levels of CYP2C19 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Boswellia Serrata and Omeprazole

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Boswellia Serrata interacts with whole categories of medication. Omeprazole falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Boswellia Serrata in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Omeprazole

Omeprazole falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Boswellia Serrata interacts with.

Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might increase the levels of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Boswellia serrata gum resin inhibits CYP2C19 enzymes.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for these two together. Your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP2C19 to break down omeprazole. In lab dish studies, boswellic acids (the active part of Boswellia) appear to slow that same enzyme down. If that held true in people, omeprazole could clear a little more slowly and build up slightly, meaning a bit more drug hanging around than usual.

The good news is that omeprazole is a very forgiving, well-tolerated medicine. Even with a modest bump in levels, you'd most likely just see its usual mild effects, like headache, nausea, or loose stools. Honestly, this is a theoretical concern based only on test-tube data, so for most folks it's nothing to lose sleep over. Still, mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can keep an eye on you.

References
  1. Frank A, Unger M. Analysis of frankincense from various Boswellia species with inhibitory activity on human drug metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry after automated on-line extraction. J Chromatogr A 2006;111 PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Omeprazole also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might increase the levels of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Boswellia serrata gum resin inhibits CYP2C9 enzymes.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the simple version: your body uses a liver enzyme called CYP2C9 to help break down omeprazole. In lab dish studies, boswellia appears to slow that enzyme down. If that happened in real life, omeprazole could clear a bit more slowly and build up slightly, which might mean a little more of its usual effects, things like headache, stomach upset, or nausea. Omeprazole is generally forgiving, so this isn't a dangerous pairing.

The big caveat is that this is theoretical, based only on test-tube data, not real people. Most folks taking both won't notice a thing. Still, if you plan to use boswellia regularly with your omeprazole, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Frank A, Unger M. Analysis of frankincense from various Boswellia species with inhibitory activity on human drug metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry after automated on-line extraction. J Chromatogr A 2006;111 PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Omeprazole also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might increase or decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Boswellia serrata gum resin inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes. Other in vitro research shows that Boswellia serrata extract inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes at most concentrations, although it may modestly induce enzyme activity at low concentrations.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the short version: your body uses an enzyme called CYP3A4 (along with another one called CYP2C19) to help clear omeprazole. In lab dish studies, boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata mostly slow that enzyme down, though at very low amounts they may speed it up a touch. If it slows omeprazole's breakdown, a bit more could linger in your system, which in theory could mean slightly stronger effects or a higher chance of mild side effects like headache, nausea, gas, or loose stools.

I want to be honest, though: this is only a theoretical concern based on test-tube research, not real people, and omeprazole is generally forgiving. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Still, it's worth a quick mention to your pharmacist or doctor, especially if you take omeprazole daily, so they can keep an eye on how you feel.

References
  1. Frank A, Unger M. Analysis of frankincense from various Boswellia species with inhibitory activity on human drug metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry after automated on-line extraction. J Chromatogr A 2006;111 PubMed
  2. Haron MH, Dale O, Martin K, et al. Evaluation of the Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Commonly Used Botanicals on the US Market with Regard to PXR- and AhR-Mediated Influences on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. J Diet Suppl 2022. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Boswellia Serrata Also Interacts With Other Medications

Boswellia Serrata has 951 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Omeprazole one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Boswellia Serrata

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Boswellia Serrata. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Boswellia Serrata or Omeprazole

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Boswellia Serrata or Omeprazole, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Omeprazole

This page covers Boswellia Serrata only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Omeprazole page lists 174 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 121 moderate · 50 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Omeprazole page

“Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid, Losec) is an acid reducer for heartburn, reflux, and ulcers, and because it sits on pharmacy shelves next to the vitamins, people tend to assume it mixes safely with anything. This list argues otherwise, and it warrants genuine care.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Omeprazole interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Boswellia Serrata as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 1,914 real supplement products containing Boswellia Serrata, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Boswellia Serrata. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Omeprazole too, on top of Boswellia Serrata — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Boswellia Serrata and Omeprazole Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Boswellia Serrata
Top 10%

#93 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Omeprazole
Top 5%

#60 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Boswellia Serrata

What is Boswellia Serrata?

Boswellia Serrata
  • Osteoarthritis joint pain
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Inflammation
  • Asthma
  • Inflammatory bowel conditions

Boswellia serrata is a tree resin used in traditional medicine, mainly for joint pain and inflammation. Some studies suggest it may help with osteoarthritis symptoms, but the overall evidence is limited and more research is needed. It is generally well tolerated, but you should check with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Read the full Boswellia Serrata monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Omeprazole

What Is Omeprazole Used For?

Brand names: Prilosec, Zegerid, Losec

Omeprazole is used to treat a range of conditions where stomach acid causes problems. These include heartburn and acid reflux (GERD), erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from acid), and stomach or duodenal ulcers. It can also be used alongside antibiotics to help get rid of an H. pylori infection — a bacteria that causes ulcers.

In more serious cases, omeprazole is used to manage conditions where the stomach produces far too much acid, such as pathologic hypersecretory conditions (rare medical disorders that cause extreme acid overproduction). It is approved for adults and children one year of age and older for GERD and erosive esophagitis.

See full Omeprazole drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Boswellia Serrata

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Boswellia Serrata — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
951Moderate
0Minor
1,878No known interaction
Moderate

951 interactions

Showing 60 of 951 moderate interactions — see all 951 on the Boswellia Serrata page.

No interaction 1,878 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Boswellia Serrata and Omeprazole Together: Common Questions

Can you take Boswellia Serrata with Omeprazole?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Boswellia Serrata and Omeprazole?
Omeprazole belongs to more than one drug category, and Boswellia Serrata interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Boswellia Serrata and Omeprazole interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Omeprazole and Boswellia Serrata?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.