Synopsis

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

Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, primarily for its anti-inflammatory properties. In Ayurvedic texts, Boswellia resin is cited as helpful for conditions associated with swelling, such as joint pain, inflammatory disorders, and sometimes edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in tissues. The traditional rationale is that by reducing inflammation, frankincense may indirectly alleviate swelling, including edema. However, while there is moderate scientific evidence supporting Boswellia’s anti-inflammatory effects—particularly in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—there is limited direct scientific research evaluating Boswellia specifically for edema. Most clinical studies focus on its effects on joint swelling rather than generalized or peripheral edema. Animal studies have sometimes shown reduced inflammation-related swelling with Boswellia extracts, but these are not always directly translatable to human edema conditions. Therefore, the use of Indian frankincense for edema is primarily justified by tradition, with a low to moderate level of evidence (rated 2/5) supporting its use for this specific indication. More high-quality, targeted research would be needed to validate its effectiveness in treating or supporting edema in clinical practice.

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