frankincense
Boswellia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (32 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Frankincense, scientifically known as Boswellia, is a revered resin derived from several species of the Boswellia tree. Historically prized for its aromatic properties in religious rituals, modern science highlights its potent anti-inflammatory benefits. It is widely used today in traditional medicine to support joint health and manage systemic inflammation.
- Family
- Burseraceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Frankincense
- Scientific synonyms
- Ploesslea
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- frankincense
Scientific Names
Accepted name
BoswelliaSynonyms
- Ploesslea
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
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, it is categorized under the specific genus Boswellia.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Burseraceae |
| Genus | Boswellia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several nations within West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing in the country of Benin. Additionally, its presence is noted within the borders of Burkina. The species also inhabits parts of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its range extends to include the nation of Mali.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Chemicals
Boswellia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include incensole acetate, Olibanum gum.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| incensole acetate | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Olibanum gum | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
incensole acetate
- FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Olibanum gum
- Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR
Activities
Boswellia has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiarthritic, Antiinflammatory, Cytotoxic.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antiarthritic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antiarthritic
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Antiinflammatory
- DNA and cell biology
Cytotoxic
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Conditions
Boswellia has 17 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's diseases, Huntington's disease, Neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease, SARS-CoV-2.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's diseases | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Huntington's disease | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neurodegenerative diseases | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sars-cov-2 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Arthritis | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cerebral edema | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastrointestinal diseases | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Inflammation | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Alzheimer's diseases
- Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
Huntington's disease
- Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
Neurodegenerative diseases
- Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
Parkinson's disease
- Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
Sars-cov-2
- Phytomedicine plus : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
Arthritis
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Cerebral edema
- Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
Gastrointestinal diseases
- Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
Inflammation
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Preparations
Boswellia has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include BE, Boswellia extract, ethanolic extract, mixed formulations, oleo-gum resin.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Be | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Boswellia extract | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ethanolic extract | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mixed formulations | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oleo-gum resin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Be
- DNA and cell biology
Boswellia extract
- DNA and cell biology
Ethanolic extract
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Mixed formulations
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Oleo-gum resin
- The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology