Boswellia cream is a topical cream made from the extract of the Boswellia Serrata tree, which may also be referred to as “Indian Frankincense.” This is a branching tree that can be found in Northern Africa, India and the Middle East.
People use this cream for arthritis, as well as for wrinkles and other signs of skin aging. However, Boswellia creams and ointments have not been studied as thoroughly as oral boswellia supplements that contain this herbal extract.
Research has shown that when ingested orally, this substance may affect the body in several different ways. For example, the Natural Medicines Database reports that some of the components found in Boswellia extract have anti-inflammatory properties, which means that they may reduce the swelling associated with arthritis.
Likewise, the Natural Medicines Database reports that Boswellia herb extract also has analgesic properties, which means that it may relieve some of the pain associated with arthritis. More research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of boswellia creams for joint pain or skin wrinkling.



- Effective natural anti-inflammatory
- Improves blood flow to the joint for better functionality
- Exhibits pain-relieving properties
Is Boswellia Joint Cream Effective for Arthritis?
Related Topics
Arthritis is a painful condition that affects the joints, causing pain, loss of functionality and inflammation. Many people with this condition also experience stiffness in the joints and reduced mobility.
In order to reduce the symptoms associated with this condition, people may use prescription medications, lifestyle changes, supplements and other over-the-counter remedies.
Boswellia creams and ointments have been proposed for joint pain, though they have not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of arthritis or any other medical condition.
Many of the research studies performed regarding Boswellia and arthritis evaluated the effectiveness of oral Boswellia supplements on arthritis symptoms, as opposed to topical creams. Most of these studies have produced positive results.
For example, in one particular study, 30 patients suffering from osteoarthritis were treated with either a placebo or Boswellia extract. Those who were treated with Boswellia experienced a reduction in joint swelling, as well as a reduction in pain.
Some studies have also explored the effectiveness of topical Boswellia ointment or cream for arthritis. For example, one study explored the effectiveness of topical Boswellia for osteoarthritis symptoms in mice.
The study found that treatment with Boswellia cream reduced cartilage loss, inflammation of the synovial joint and the formation of osteophytes. A clinical research study is needed to validate this finding in humans.
Another study compared the effectiveness of topical boswellic acids to that of oral boswellic acids in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. This study, which was conducted by researchers at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, found that topical boswellic acids were as effective as oral boswellic acids for reducing the symptoms of inflammatory conditions in rats.
However, although these results are promising, these singular studies are not sufficient to validate the effectiveness of topical Boswellia cream completely, and more study in humans is required.
How to Use Boswellia Cream for Pain and Swelling
Before beginning the use of Boswellia cream or any other remedy for arthritis, talk to your doctor to make sure this option is safe for you.
To use Boswellia cream for arthritis, apply the cream in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases, the cream will be applied directly to the individual’s symptomatic joints.
Boswellia serrata cream is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of any ailment, including arthritis. Thus, no standardized dosage exists.
However, in past research studies, a topical cream containing 0.5 percent boswellic acids was applied once daily for 30 days without significant adverse interactions.
Boswellia Wrinkle Cream Review
Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, Boswellia extract cream has also been used for wrinkles and other signs of aging.
The effectiveness of Boswellia cream in the treatment of skin aging has been evaluated by research studies. One particular study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Brescia in Italy, found that the topical application of boswellic acids reduced roughness, fine lines and sebum excretion of photoaged skin.
Boswellic acids also increased the skin’s elasticity. None of the participants in this trial experienced any adverse side effects from the use of Boswellia cream. However, more study is needed to validate these findings.
Boswellia Cream Side Effects and Interactions
Oral Boswellia serrata has been connected to several possible side effects, including diarrhea, pain in the stomach, nausea and acid reflux. However, these side effects have not typically been experienced by subjects in studies involving topical applications of Boswellia.
At this time, the Natural Medicines Database reports that there are no known side effects of Boswellia cream. Nonetheless, it is possible that this cream may cause side effects for some people, or that the side effects of the cream have not yet been identified.
For this reason, people using Boswellia cream for arthritis should never use more of the cream than they need in order to achieve the desired effect, nor should they use more than recommended by a physician.
Oral Boswellia may interact with several medications, including omeprazole, Zofran, Risperdal, zolmitriptan, cyclobenzaprine, imipramine and others. It is not known if Boswellia cream interacts with these medications.
If you are currently taking other medications or dietary supplements, or if you commonly apply other topical creams, talk to your doctor to determine whether interactions are likely to occur.
- Kimmatkar N1, Thawani V, Hingorani L, Khiyani R. Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2003.
- Wang Q, X. Pan, Wong H, Wagner CA, Lahey LJ, Robinson WH, Sokolove J. Oral and topical boswellic acid attenuates mouse osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014.
- Calzavara-Pinton P1, Zane C, Facchinetti E, Capezzera R, Pedretti A. Topical Boswellic acids for treatment of photoaged skin. Dermatol Ther. 2010.
Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Can this cream be used by everyone. Does it have any side effects if used for prolonged period.