Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Boswellic acid, extracted from the resin of the Boswellia serrata plant (frankincense), has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and folk medicine primarily for its anti-inflammatory properties. Its use for edema—the accumulation of fluid in tissues—stems from these anti-inflammatory effects, as traditional systems often treat swelling (a symptom of inflammation) with Boswellia preparations. Historical accounts and Ayurvedic texts reference Boswellia as beneficial for "swelling" or "shotha," which can overlap with the modern concept of edema. However, scientific evidence specifically validating boswellic acid for the treatment or reduction of edema is limited. Some preclinical studies suggest that boswellic acids inhibit inflammatory mediators (such as 5-lipoxygenase), which could theoretically reduce swelling. Nevertheless, high-quality clinical trials directly investigating its efficacy for edema are lacking. Most modern research focuses on its effects in arthritis, asthma, or inflammatory bowel disease, not edema per se. Thus, while there is a traditional rationale for its use, robust scientific validation for edema as a clinical indication is currently insufficient.

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