Boswellin Side Effects

Also called Indian frankincense, Boswellin is a resin obtained from a plant native to southeast Asia. Despite its many uses in herbal medicine, Boswellin poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Uses

• Possible uses for Boswellin include asthma, arthritis, colitis and Crohn's Disease.

Other Names

• Other names for Boswellin include Gajabhakshya, Indian Olibanum, Ru Xiang and Shallaki. These terms all refer to the same herbal medicine and pose the same risk for side effects as Boswellin.

Types of Side Effects

• Side effects of Boswellin include abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea.

Risks

• Since Boswellin is derived from a plant, some people experience hypersensitivities or allergic reactions when taking it. These reactions usually cause skin rashes, though with all allergies, there is a potential for other symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain.

Considerations

• Because there is no evidence that Indian frankincense poses no risk to fetal development, avoid taking Boswellin if you are pregnant. Since its effects on infants are unknown, do not use the supplement while nursing.