Boswellia serrata, also known as Indian frankincense, has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating inflammatory conditions. Its use in Crohn's Disease is based more on emerging scientific research rather than long-standing tradition. Boswellia contains boswellic acids, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in leukotriene synthesis, which plays a role in inflammatory processes relevant to Crohn's Disease.

Several small clinical trials have evaluated Boswellia's efficacy in inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. For Crohn's specifically, a notable double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study published in European Journal of Medical Research (2001) investigated a Boswellia extract (H15) and found that 14 of 20 patients achieved remission compared to 4 of 10 in the placebo group, though the sample size was small and the trial was short (8 weeks). Other studies have focused more on ulcerative colitis, with mixed results.

Overall, while there is preliminary scientific support suggesting Boswellia may help reduce inflammation in Crohn's Disease, the evidence is rated as 2/5 due to limited sample sizes, inconsistent results, and a lack of large, well-powered studies. Further research is needed to establish its efficacy and safety profile for Crohn's Disease.