Research published in the European Journal of Medical Research (November 17, 1998; 3(11):511–514) evaluated the effects of an extract from the herb Boswellia serrata in patients with asthma. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 40 participants (17 women and 23 men) between the ages of 18 and 75 and lasted six weeks.
Among participants receiving the Boswellia extract, 70% experienced improvement, compared with 27% in the placebo group. Improvements included reductions in asthma symptoms and measurable gains in lung function, as assessed by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Markers of inflammation also improved in the Boswellia group, including a lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a reduction in eosinophil counts—white blood cells commonly elevated in allergic conditions.
The authors concluded that Boswellia serrata extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and may be beneficial in supporting respiratory function in individuals with asthma, though larger and longer-term studies would be needed to confirm these findings.
