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Dietary supplement

Boswelli Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

Boswelli label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Boswelli against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Boswelli is a dietary supplement by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized 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 serrata Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 23, 2026

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.

Boswelli is a single-ingredient supplement: Boswellia serrata extract, a resin from a tree native to India and Africa. The extract is standardized, meaning the manufacturer aims to deliver a consistent dose of its active compounds.

The capsule itself is made from vegetable cellulose.

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, inflammatory arthritis, joint inflammation.
  • 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 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Knee pain.

The evidence supports Boswellia serrata for osteoarthritis — it's rated possibly effective for joint pain and stiffness. For hay fever, asthma, Alzheimer disease, and cluster headache, the data we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it, meaning there isn't enough high-quality research to say whether it works.

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 serrata is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth. The most common side effects are mild — abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, heartburn, itching, nausea, and dizziness.

In one clinical trial, about 11% of patients reported headache. Rarely, taking very large amounts of boswellia gum resin can form a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), though this is unusual with standard supplement doses.

Quality and dose vary widely between products, so stick to a trusted brand and follow the label. Do not use Boswelli during pregnancy — there isn't enough safety data.

Avoid it while breastfeeding as well, since safety is unknown.

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 Boswelli, check with your pharmacist or doctor if you take any of these: antidepressants or antipsychotics (CYP2D6 substrates), blood thinners or heartburn medications like omeprazole (CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 substrates), stimulants or certain pain relievers (CYP1A2 substrates), cholesterol drugs like atorvastatin or immunosuppressants for transplant or autoimmune disease (CYP3A4 and immunosuppressants). All carry Moderate interaction risk.

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.

Boswelli may help with osteoarthritis symptoms, but its real consideration is the breadth of medication interactions it carries through liver enzyme effects. If you take any prescription drugs — especially for depression, heart disease, cholesterol, transplant rejection, or autoimmune conditions — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting it.

Pregnant or breastfeeding people should 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 Oct 26, 2011.

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 Boswelli, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Herbal Plus Standardized
Barcode (UPC) 048107068899
Net contents 100 Vegetarian Capsules
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 26, 2011
DSLD ID 852
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized, 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
048107068899
IngredientAmount% DV
Boswellia serrata Extract450 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Cellulose

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 Disclaimer Statement

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

HERBAL SUPPLEMENT

Formula

Standardized Extract ? 450 mg

Formulation

No Sugar, No Artificial Colors, No Arificial Flavors, Sodium Free, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Soy, No Dairy, Yeast Free.

Precautions

Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

WARNING: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General

CODE 199611 EKG

General Statements

Conforms to USP <2091> for weight. Meets USP <2040> disintegration.

Potency verified by GNC procedure #5343.

Supports Joint Health*

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized label

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

Boswelli label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

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 serrata Extract

Interacts with
952 drugs
450 mg per serving

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 serrata Extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Boswelli?

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

Boswellia serrata Extract 952

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Boswelli interact with 952 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Boswelli interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Boswellia serrata Extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Boswelli 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 serrata 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
Boswellia serrata Extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

See all GNC Herbal Plus Standardized products
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized: Common Questions

Does Boswelli by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Boswelli 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?
Boswelli 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 serrata and what's it used for?
Boswellia serrata is a resin from a tree native to India and Africa. Boswelli contains an extract of it, standardized to deliver a consistent dose. The supplement is used mainly for joint pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis.
Does Boswellia actually work for osteoarthritis?
The evidence rates it possibly effective for osteoarthritis, meaning there's some supporting research. For other conditions listed on the label — hay fever, asthma, Alzheimer disease, cluster headache — we don't have enough reliable data to say whether it works.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. The common side effects are mild: stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, heartburn, itching, nausea, and dizziness. About 11% of trial participants reported headache. Very large doses can rarely form a bezoar (a stomach blockage), but that's uncommon at typical supplement doses.
Can I take Boswelli if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data during pregnancy, so it's best avoided. Avoid it while breastfeeding too, since safety is unknown. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering it in either case.
Why does this supplement interact with so many medications?
Boswellia serrata inhibits several enzyme systems in your liver that break down hundreds of different drugs. When those enzymes are slowed, drug levels can build up in your blood. That's why the interaction list is long and spans many drug classes.
Is this product safe to take with my medications?
That depends on your specific drugs. Boswellia serrata affects liver enzymes used by a very wide range of prescriptions — antidepressants, heart drugs, cholesterol medications, immunosuppressants, and many more. Use the interaction checker on this page with your exact medication names, then confirm the result with your own pharmacist or doctor before starting.

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

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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.

Boswelli label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Boswelli’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Boswellia Serrata

Interacts with 952 drugs

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 evidenc...

Read the full Boswellia Serrata monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Boswelli'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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