Frankincense for Osteoarthritis

A 2025 study found that a standardized resin extract of frankincense (Boswellia serrata) 100mg daily was significantly more effective than placebo at improving pain and function in people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis over 180 days. Pain and function were assessed with questionnaires and physical testing. MRI also seemed to show increases in cartilage volume, thickness, and joint space width with frankincense.

Another 2025 study found that frankincense resin (300mg) and celery seed extract (250mg) was also more effective than placebo at improving symptoms in people with knee osteoarthritis over 90 days. Frankincense can cause gastrointestinal symptoms among other side effects. Prolonged use at high doses can lead to rare but serious electrolyte imbalances.

Kumar B, Ghaytidak AB, Pandey AK, Somepalli RR, Sarda P, Raychaudhuri SP, Rokkam MP. A Standardized Boswellia serrata Extract Improves Knee Joint Function and Cartilage Morphology in Human Volunteers with Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2025 Jul;44(5):375-386. doi: 10.1080/27697061.2024.2438894. Epub 2024 Dec 19. PMID: 39700461.

Vaidya N, Agarwal R, Dipankar DG, Patkar H, Ganu G, Nagore D, Godse C, Mehta A, Mehta D, Nair S. Efficacy and Safety of Boswellia serrata and Apium graveolens L. Extract Against Knee Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Degeneration: A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Pharm Res. 2025 Feb;42(2):249-269. doi: 10.1007/s11095-025-03818-2. Epub 2025 Jan 28. PMID: 39875757; PMCID: PMC11880083.

Finsterer J. Boswellia serrata intoxication manifesting with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, hyponatremia, seizure, and rhabdomyolysis. Crit Care Sci. 2024 Jun 24;36:e20240049en. doi: 10.62675/2965-2774.20240049-en. PMID: 38922237; PMCID: PMC11152439.