The evidence for the effectiveness of B serrata extracts is encouraging but not compelling
OBJECTIVE To assess evidence from r and omised clinical trials about the effectiveness of  extracts of Boswellia serrata ( frankincense ) .
Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.
The clinical efficacy of a herbomineral formulation containing roots of Withania somnifera , the stem of Boswellia serrata , rhizomes of Curcuma longa and a zinc complex ( Articulin-F ) , was evaluated in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo controlled , cross-over study in patients with osteoarthritis . After a one-month single blind run-in period , 42 patients with osteoarthritis were r and omly allocated to receive either a drug treatment or a matching placebo for a period of three months . After a 15-day wash-out period the patients were transferred to the other treatment for a further period of three months . Clinical efficacy was evaluated every fortnight on the basis of severity of pain , morning stiffness , Ritchie articular index , joint score , disability score and grip strength . Other parameters like erythrocyte sedimentation rate and radiological examination were carried out on a monthly basis . Treatment with the herbomineral formulation produced a significant drop in severity of pain ( P less than 0.001 ) and disability score ( P less than 0.05 ) . Radiological assessment , however , did not show any significant changes in both the groups . Side effects observed with this formulation did not necessitate withdrawal of treatment
The evidence for the effectiveness of B serrata extracts is encouraging but not compelling
OBJECTIVE To assess evidence from r and omised clinical trials about the effectiveness of  extracts of Boswellia serrata ( frankincense ) .