Boswellia serrata, also known as Indian frankincense, has a longstanding history in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, including skin disorders. In recent years, its use for dermatitis has gained some scientific interest. The primary active constituents, boswellic acids, are known to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes, which play a role in the pathogenesis of dermatitis and other inflammatory skin diseases.

Several in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that Boswellia extracts can reduce inflammation and may improve symptoms of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. A small number of human clinical studies have also explored topical Boswellia preparations for eczema and atopic dermatitis, reporting modest improvements in erythema, itching, and lesion severity. However, these studies are generally small, short-term, and sometimes lack rigorous controls.

Overall, while there is a plausible scientific rationale and preliminary evidence supporting the use of Boswellia serrata for dermatitis, the quality and quantity of clinical data remain limited. Thus, its use is somewhat scientifically supported, but more robust, large-scale, and well-designed human trials are necessary before it can be recommended as a first-line or stand-alone therapy for dermatitis.