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Dietary supplement

Boswellia Serrata Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Boswellia Serrata label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Boswellia Serrata 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

Boswellia Serrata is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 2 active ingredients. 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. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Boswellia Serrata by Swanson

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Boswellia Serrata by Swanson — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Boswellia Serrata by Swanson

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 12, 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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: Boswellia serrata (the gum resin from the boswellia tree) and Boswellin (a standardized boswellia serrata extract). The capsules also include several inactive ingredients—gelatin, maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium palmitate, and silica—which serve as fillers and binders.

Boswellia has been used traditionally to support joint health and inflammatory response. The extract form concentrates the active compounds, which is why it's listed separately from the whole resin.

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: supports joint integrity, movement and flexibility.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Knee pain, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Joint mobility, Joint comfort — and 2 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 Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Knee pain, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Boswellia serrata is rated possibly effective for osteoarthritis based on available evidence. For allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Alzheimer disease, asthma, and cluster headache, the evidence is insufficient to rate it—meaning the data we hold doesn't establish whether it works for those uses.

If you're considering it for one of those conditions, talk with your pharmacist about what the current research actually shows.

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 extract is generally well tolerated by mouth in the short term, though quality and dose vary widely between products. The most common side effects reported in studies are abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, heartburn, itching, and nausea.

In one clinical study, nearly 11% of people taking a specific boswellia extract reported headache; dizziness and vertigo were also reported at lower rates. In rare cases, large amounts of boswellia gum resin have caused bezoar formation (a mass in the digestive tract).

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy. Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so it's best avoided.

If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this supplement.

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 this product, check whether you use any medications broken down by your liver's CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, or CYP3A4 enzymes (Moderate severity), or any immunosuppressant drugs (Moderate severity). These include common heart, blood clot, depression, and autoimmune medications.

Use the search tool below to verify your exact prescriptions.

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.

Boswellia Serrata by Swanson may help with osteoarthritis symptoms, but it interacts with a broad range of medications through liver enzyme systems. If you take any prescription drugs regularly—especially for your heart, blood clotting, mood, or immune system—check them against our medication tool first.

Talk with your pharmacist before starting, and don't use it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding without guidance.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2019.

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 Boswellia Serrata, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614140100
Net contents 120 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2019
DSLD ID 203602
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 Boswellia Serrata by Swanson, 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
087614140100
IngredientAmount% DV
Boswellia serrata300 mg--
Boswellin Boswellia serrata extract200 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Maltodextrin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Palmitate, Silica

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.
General Statements

Supports joint integrity, movement and flexibility

Science-Backed Quality Since 1969

Joint health and mobility Whole herb and standardized extract

Formula

Standardized to 70% organic acids and 20% boswellic acid

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule one to two times per day with water.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Boswellin is a registered trademark of Sabinsa Corporation.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

Consult your physician before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have 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

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

See for yourself

Boswellia Serrata by Swanson label

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

Boswellia Serrata 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 Boswellia Serrata by Swanson

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

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

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Boswellia serrata

Interacts with
952 drugs
300 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 monograph & interactions

Boswellin Boswellia serrata extract

Interacts with
952 drugs
200 mg per serving Form: Boswellic Acid, Total Organic Acids

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

Boswellin Boswellia serrata extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Maltodextrin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Palmitate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Boswellia Serrata by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Boswellia Serrata?

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 952

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 2 ingredients in Boswellia Serrata interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Boswellia serrata

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Boswellia Serrata 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 serrata6 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 full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Boswellia Serrata, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Boswellia Serrata by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Boswellia Serrata by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Boswellia Serrata 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?
Boswellia Serrata contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
Is boswellia safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy because there isn't enough data to know it's safe. Safety while breastfeeding is also unknown, so it's best avoided. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
What are the most common side effects?
Most people tolerate boswellia well, but the most common side effects are abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, heartburn, itching, and nausea. In one clinical study, nearly 11% of people taking a specific boswellia extract reported headache. Dizziness and vertigo were also reported but at lower rates.
Does boswellia actually work for joint pain?
Boswellia serrata is rated possibly effective for osteoarthritis, meaning there is some evidence supporting its use for that specific condition. For other uses like allergies, Alzheimer disease, asthma, or cluster headaches, the evidence is insufficient to say whether it works.
Why do I need to check my medications before taking this?
Boswellia can slow how your liver breaks down a wide range of medications by inhibiting several cytochrome P450 enzymes. This can raise drug levels in your blood and strengthen their effects. That's why you need to check your specific prescriptions—the interaction depends on which drugs you take.
Can boswellia interfere with my immune system medications?
Yes. Theoretically, boswellia might alter how immunosuppressant drugs work. If you take any medications for autoimmune conditions or after an organ transplant, check them with your pharmacist before starting this supplement.

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.

Boswellia Serrata label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Boswellia Serrata’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

Boswellia Serrata'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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