Frankincense (Supplement) for Gut Health

Research suggests that Boswellia serrata (frankincense) may support gut health through anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and prebiotic-like mechanisms, though the available evidence is limited to preclinical and laboratory studies. An animal study found that a Boswellia serrata extract reduced colitis-associated colon tumor formation in mice, lowered key inflammatory proteins, and favorably shifted gut microbiota composition. A separate in vitro study using human fecal samples indicated that Boswellia, alongside other traditional herbs, altered gut bacterial communities in ways that may promote production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate and propionate, suggesting a possible prebiotic role. Both studies point in a supportive direction, but neither involved human clinical trials, so it remains unclear whether these findings translate to meaningful gut health benefits in people.