Boswellia serrata

Boswellia serrata, commonly known as Indian frankincense, is a resin-producing tree traditionally valued for its medicinal properties. While native to India, this species is also cultivated in certain regions of Sri Lanka, particularly in dry zones where the climate and soil conditions are favorable. The tree is small to medium in size, with papery bark and small, fragrant white flowers. Its resin, often called “salai” or “frankincense,” has a long history of use in traditional medicine and religious rituals.

In Sri Lanka, Boswellia serrata is primarily appreciated for its therapeutic benefits. The resin contains boswellic acids, which have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic properties. Ayurvedic practitioners in the country use it to treat joint pain, arthritis, asthma, and digestive issues. Its anti-inflammatory effects make it particularly useful for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, which is increasingly common in the local aging population.

Beyond medicine, the resin also finds use in cultural and spiritual practices. Frankincense smoke is believed to purify spaces and is sometimes used in Buddhist rituals, though on a smaller scale compared to India and the Middle East. Research in Sri Lanka is slowly expanding to explore the potential of Boswellia serrata extracts in modern herbal supplements, especially in combination with other local medicinal plants.

Boswellia serrata is part of the catalog of ayurvedic medicinal plants of Sri Lanka.