Indian Incense (Boswellia Serrata)

Indian incense is called Boswellia serrata, the resin of which is also known as olibanum or incense.

All over the world there are 16 subspecies of the incense tree Boswellia genus. And the Boswellia serrata is one of them.

• Occurrence of the various Boswellia species

The various genera of the plant Boswellia are found especially in southern countries such as Togo, Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa, in Ethiopia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and - as the name "Indian incense" suggests - in India.

• Ingredients of Indian incense (Boswellia serrata)

Besides olibanum (resin) and boswellic acids, Indian incense contains essential oils such as verbenone, limonene, verbenol, phellandrene, camphene, pinene, candins, bomeol, olibanol, n-cymene, dipentene, bitter substances, sterols, lupanoic acids, monosaccharides and gum.

• Extraction of the resin of Indian incense

By cutting about six to eight centimetres deep into the bark of the Boswellia serrata incense tree, you can get its precious resin, which slowly emerges from the bark. After the resin has been extracted from the tree, it must be air-dried for a few weeks before the dry lumps of resin can be harvested.

• The importance of olibanum in ancient times

Since the incense tree prefers desert and mountainous areas for growing and is therefore extremely demanding, it is extremely difficult to grow. In ancient times, olibanum was therefore one of the most important incense resins on earth.

• Forms of use of Indian incense

Indian incense is suitable for both internal and external use, making it suitable for both tablets and creams.

However, the number of pharmaceutical preparations containing Boswellia serrata is rather small.

For internal use Indian incense is available in tablet form as a dietary supplement. However, an increased dosage should not be taken without the supervision of a physician. It is recommended to take the tablets either during or after a meal.

If you need Indian incense for external use, it is available as an incense cream.