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Dietary supplement

Boswella Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbal Hills

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Boswella is a dietary supplement by Herbal Hills with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for osteoarthritis joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation.Based on those ingredients, 952 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Boswellia extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Boswella by Herbal Hills

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Boswella contains one active ingredient: Boswellia extract, derived from the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree. It's used traditionally to help with joint and inflammatory conditions.

The capsule itself is made from HPMC (a plant-based capsule material) and includes silicon dioxide as an inactive ingredient to keep the powder flowing smoothly.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Joint pain and inflammation support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Knee pain, Asthma, Crohn disease, Ulcerative colitis — and 3 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Boswellia Serrata is rated "Possibly Effective" for Osteoarthritis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Boswellia Serrata is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Asthma, Crohn disease, Ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and more.

The evidence for Boswellia is mixed. It's rated possibly effective for osteoarthritis — meaning there's some encouraging research, but more work is needed to be sure.

For allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, Alzheimer disease, and cluster headaches, the evidence isn't established in our data, so we can't say whether it works for those uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Boswellia Serrata

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Boswellia extract is generally well tolerated by mouth, though quality and dose vary widely between products. The most common side effects are stomach upset — abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn — along with headache, dizziness, itching, and vertigo.

A small number of people reported headache in clinical studies. Rarely, very large amounts can form a bezoar (a hard mass in your stomach).

During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, so it's best avoided. While breastfeeding, safety is unknown, so avoid use.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Boswellia Serrata

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Boswellia Serrata.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 953 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking Boswella, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take immunosuppressants (Moderate concern) or any medications processed by your liver — including heart drugs, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, pain relievers, and antihistamines. The product can change how these drugs work in unpredictable ways.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Boswella may help with osteoarthritis, but it interacts with a very large number of medications by affecting how your liver processes them — especially immunosuppressants, which is a concern. If you take any regular prescription medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product, since the interaction potential is substantial.

Those side effects like stomach upset are usually mild, but pregnancy and breastfeeding are times to skip it.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 25, 2017.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Boswella, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbal Hills
Barcode (UPC) 8906068411388
Net contents 700 Vegi Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2017
DSLD ID 74976
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Halal
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Boswella by Herbal Hills, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
8906068411388
IngredientAmount% DV
Boswellia extract250 mg--

Other ingredients: Silicon Dioxide, HPMC Capsule

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Mfg. Lic. No. : PD/AYU/002/10

(An ISO 22000:2005 Certified Company)

Back to nature

Joint care

~ Pure ~ Natural ~ Effective

Sanskrit name of Boswellia Serrata is Salai guggulu. It has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years as a safe support for healthy joint & muscle functions. Boswellia is considered to possess analgesic properties. By regulating the mediators of inflammation, Boswellia may exert a significant anti-inflammatory activity that may support reducing inflammation due to exercise or normal overuse. It helps soothe the joints & helps promote neuromuscular well being.

Contents based on standard raw material as per ayurvedic text

Brand IP Statement(s)

Product name: Shallakihills

Seals/Symbols

JAS-ANZ ICS ISO 22000:2005 Reg. No.: RH91/7301

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice

Halal India www.halalindia.com

Storage

Store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if inner seal is broken or missing.

Caution: Pregnant or lactating women are advised to consume herbal products under the advice of the healthcare practitioner.

Formula

Standardized extract / 65% Boswellic Acid

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions For Use: As a dietary supplement take 1 capsule twice daily, preferably after meals. For better results it should be taken with warm water.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Boswella by Herbal Hills label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Boswella by Herbal Hills

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Boswellia extract

Interacts with
952 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: Boswellic Acid

Boswellia serrata is a tree resin used in traditional medicine, mainly for joint pain and inflammation. Some studies suggest it may help with osteoart...

Boswellia extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Silicon Dioxide, HPMC Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Boswella by Herbal Hills Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Boswella?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
952Drugs
952 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Boswella with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Boswellia extract6 drug types · 952 drugs

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might increase the levels of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Boswellia serrata gum resin inhibits CYP1A2 enzymes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might increase the levels of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Boswellia serrata gum resin inhibits CYP2C19 enzymes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might increase the levels of CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Boswellia serrata gum resin inhibits CYP2D6 enzymes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, Boswellia serrata might alter the effects of immunosuppressive drugs.
Some in vitro research suggests that Boswellia serrata extracts might inhibit mediators of autoimmune disorders such as leukotrienes and reduce production of antibodies and cell-mediated immunity. However, other in vitro research suggests that, when coupled with calcium ions, boswellic acids containing the keto group have immunostimulant properties within specific cell signaling pathways.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Boswella, from the product label.

Herbal Hills

See all Herbal Hills products
Name
Isha Agro Developers Pvt. Ltd.
Street Address
55-A/B, Lonavala Co-op. Indl. Est. Ltd.
City
Nangargaon, Lonavala, Taluka-Maval, Dist. Pune,
State
Maharashtra
ZipCode
410401
Web Address
0091 22 2868 6868
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Boswella by Herbal Hills: Common Questions

Does Boswella by Herbal Hills interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Boswella has a known interaction with 952 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Boswella contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is Boswellia extract and where does it come from?
Boswellia extract comes from the gum resin of the Boswellia serrata tree. It's been used in traditional medicine for centuries, mainly for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Can I take Boswella if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data during pregnancy, so it's best avoided. While breastfeeding, safety is unknown, so avoid use. Talk with your doctor if you're considering it in either situation.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common are stomach-related: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn. Headache, dizziness, and itching also occur. These are usually mild, but if they're bothersome or persistent, let your pharmacist know.
Does Boswella actually work for arthritis?
For osteoarthritis, it's rated possibly effective — meaning there's some encouraging research, but we need more evidence. For other conditions like asthma or hay fever, the evidence isn't established in our data.
Why does the interaction count seem so high?
Boswellia inhibits several liver enzymes responsible for breaking down hundreds of different medications. Even though there's one ingredient, that single pathway affects many drugs — which is why you need to check your specific prescriptions.

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

Not sure if Boswella is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Boswella label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Boswella's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

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

The 16 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Boswellia Serrata 16 references
  1. Gupta I, Gupta V, Parihar A, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study. Eur J Med Res 1998;3:511-4.
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  3. Kimmatkar N, Thawani V, Hingorani L, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2003;10:3-7. PubMed
  4. Liu JJ, Nilsson A, Oredsson S, et al. Boswellic acids trigger apoptosis via a pathway dependent on caspase-8 activation but independent on Fas/Fas ligand interaction in colon cancer HT-29 cells. Carcinogenesis 2002;23:2087-93. PubMed
  5. Wildfeuer A, Neu IS, Safayhi H, et al. Effects of boswellic acids extracted from a herbal medicine on the biosynthesis of leukotrienes and the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Arzneimittelforschung 1998;48:668-74.
  6. Gupta I, Parihar A, Malhotra P, et al. Effects of gum resin of Boswellia serrata in patients with chronic colitis. Planta Med 2001;67:391-5. PubMed
  7. Sengupta K, Alluri KV, Satish AR, et al. A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study of the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin. Arthritis Res Ther 2008;10:R85.
  8. Sengupta K, Krishnaraju AV, Vishal AA, et al. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of 5-Loxin and Aflapin against osteoarthritis of the knee: a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical study. Int J Med Sci 2010;7:366-77.
  9. Ernst E. Frankincense: systematic review. BMJ 2008;337:a2813. PubMed
  10. Kirste S, Treier M, Wehrle SJ, et al. Boswellia serratea extract acts on cerebral edema in patients irradiated for brain tumors: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot trial. Cancer 2011;117:3788-95.
  11. 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
  12. Altmann A, Poeckel D, Fischer L, et al. Coupling of boswellic acid-incuded Ca2+ mobilisation and MAPK activation to lipid metabolism and peroxide formation in human leucocytes. Br J Pharmacol 2004;141:223-32.
  13. El Fortia, M., Badi, H., Elalem, Kh, Kadiki, O., and Topov, Y. Olibanum bezoar: complication of a traditional popular medicine. East Mediterr.Health J 2006;12(6):927-929.
  14. Meshkat S, Mahmoodi Baram S, Rajaei S, et al. Boswellia serrata extract shows cognitive benefits in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial in individuals who suffered traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj 2022;36(4):553-559. PubMed
  15. 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
  16. Valente IVB, Garcia D, Abbott A, et al. The anti-proliferative effects of a frankincense extract in a window of opportunity phase ia clinical trial for patients with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024;204(3):521-530. PubMed

See these in context on the Boswellia Serrata monograph →

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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