Boswellia serrata
Boswellia glabra
Boswellia serrata, commonly known as Indian Frankincense, is a revered medicinal plant prized for its resinous gum. Rich in boswellic acids, it offers potent anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a cornerstone in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for managing joint health, arthritis, and various inflammatory conditions through natural, therapeutic healing properties.
- Scientific name: Boswellia serrata
- Family: Burseraceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Burseraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Boswellia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Burseraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Boswellia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Boswellia serrata, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Malayalam, it is referred to as കുന്തിരിക്കം, while in Kannada, it is known as ಗುಗ್ಗುಳ ಧೂಪ. In Russian, the name is Босвеллия пильчатาя, and in Marathi, it is called सालई. Additionally, in Arabic, it is identified as لبان منشاري.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | കുന്തിരിക്കം | Wikidata |
| kn | ಗುಗ್ಗುಳ ಧೂಪ | Wikidata |
| ru | Босвеллия пильчатая | Wikidata |
| mr | सालई | Wikidata |
| ar | لبان منشاري | Wikidata |
| da | Indisk røgelsestræ | Wikidata |
| zh | 齒葉乳香樹 | Wikidata |
| ta | பறங்கி சாம்ராணி | Wikidata |
| arz | لبان منشارى | Wikidata |
| fa | درخت کندر هندی | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally throughout many parts of India. Its presence is also noted in the diverse landscapes of Assam. Additionally, the species extends its range to the island of Sri Lanka. Finally, it is also distributed across the West Himalaya region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Indian frankincense, is highly valued for the therapeutic properties found within its various anatomical components. The primary medicinal interest lies in the oleo-gum resin, which is harvested from the stem and bark of the tree. When the bark is wounded, the tree produces a viscous gum resin exudate as a healing response. This substance, often referred to simply as resin, is collected in its crude form and can be processed into a purified gum resin used extensively in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory conditions.- Total parts
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 30
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gum resin | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| resin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oleo-gum resin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gum resin exudate | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resin extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleoresin gum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleogum resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleo gum resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Boswellia serrata has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 58 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AKBA, boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 36
- Scientific sources
- 58
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| AKBA | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| boswellic acid | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-O-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BAs | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-boswellic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| incensole | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Boswellia serrata has 21 reported activities identified across 41 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 41
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antithrombotic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Boswellia serrata has 64 reported medicinal uses identified across 98 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, arthritis, atherosclerosis.
- Total uses
- 64
- Scientific sources
- 98
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| oxidative stress | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| lipid peroxidation | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| arthritis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| pain | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Crohn's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |