''Boswellia serrata'' is a plant that produces Indian

frankincense Frankincense (also known as olibanum) is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus '' Boswellia'' in the family Burseraceae. The word is from Old French ('high-quality incense'). There are several species ...

. The plant is native to much of

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

and the

Punjab region Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising a ...

that extends into

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

Sustainability

''Boswellia serrata'' is currently at risk of being eradicated because of non-sustainable practices.

Research

''Boswellia serrata'' contains various derivatives of

boswellic acid Boswellic acids are a series of pentacyclic terpenoid molecules that are produced by plants in the genus ''Boswellia''. Like many other terpenes, boswellic acids appear in the resin of the plant that exudes them; it is estimated that they mak ...

including β-boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid.

Extract An extract is a substance made by extracting a part of a raw material, often by using a solvent such as ethanol, oil or water. Extracts may be sold as tinctures, absolutes or in powder form. The aromatic principles of many spices, nuts ...

s of ''Boswellia serrata'' have been clinically studied for

osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone which affects 1 in 7 adults in the United States. It is believed to be the fourth leading cause of disability in the ...

and joint function, with the research showing trends of benefit (slight improvement) in pain and function.

Gallery

File:Guggilamu (Telugu- గుగ్గిలము) (4400555272).jpg, File:Boswellia serrata (4399783209).jpg, File:Boswellia serrata seeds, by Omar Hoftun.jpg, Seeds File:Boswellia serrata (Salai) in Kinnarsani WS, AP W IMG 5844.jpg, File:Kungilyam (Malayalam- കുങ്ങില്യം) (4399784587).jpg,

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2367334 serrata Plants used in Ayurveda Flora of India (region) Flora of Pakistan Incense material Resins Plants described in 1807 Taxa named by Jules Émile Planchon