Frankincense from Boswellia: A review of species, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

Frankincense, an oleogum resin from Boswellia species, has long been used in traditional medicine and rituals. However, unclear taxonomy, overharvesting, quality variation, and limited pharmacological insight hinder its sustainable use and scientific development. The aim of this review is to summarize the species, distribution, and current resource status of Boswellia plants as well as the formation process, harvesting, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of frankincense. It also discusses future research trends and development prospects for frankincense, providing guidance for further exploration and utilization. To achieve this, relevant information was systematically gathered from authoritative sources, including ancient books, doctoral and master’s dissertations, the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China , Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Springer Link, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar. The genus Boswellia comprises approximately 24 known species, which produce frankincense, a highly aromatic resin widely used in traditional practices across Arabia, India, China, and Kenya. The Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China notes the ability of frankincense to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, reduce swelling, and resolve stasis. Over 200 compounds have been identified and isolated from frankincense. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that frankincense has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiulcer, analgesic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects, with no significant reported side effects or toxicity. However, owing to human activities and environmental degradation, Boswellia resources have become scarce. Some Boswellia species are now endangered, and current research is limited to only a few species, which restricts the development and utilization of frankincense. In summary, frankincense has a long history of medicinal use because of its complex chemical composition and diverse pharmacological activities. Therefore, a comprehensive scientific investigation is needed to ensure the sustainable utilization of frankincense resources, determine the material basis and mechanisms underlying its traditional uses, explore its potential applications in new fields, and increase its utilization.