Meta Information
ID:boswellia
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/dietary/high-fat-meal
Target name:
Meal Containing Fat
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
The active compounds in Boswellia, boswellic acids, are fat-soluble and require dietary fat for proper absorption into the bloodstream, which can increase bioavailability by several fold.
Actionable advice:
Always take Boswellia with a meal that contains healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, or nuts.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The safety of Boswellia during pregnancy is not established. Traditionally, it has been associated with emmenagogue effects (stimulating menstrual flow), which could pose a risk to pregnancy.
Actionable advice:
Do not use Boswellia if you are pregnant.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
It is unknown if boswellic acids are excreted into breast milk or what their potential effects on a nursing infant might be.
Actionable advice:
Avoid using Boswellia while breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.
Target id:
/procedure/surgery
Target name:
Surgery
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
336
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Boswellia may possess mild antiplatelet (blood-thinning) properties, which could increase the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgical procedures.
Actionable advice:
Discontinue Boswellia at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Boswellia may have mild antiplatelet effects that can be additive with medications like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin, theoretically increasing the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor before combining Boswellia with blood-thinning medications; increased monitoring may be necessary.
Target id:
/class/immunosuppressants
Target name:
Immunosuppressant Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
As an immunomodulator, Boswellia could potentially interfere with the action of drugs designed to suppress the immune system, such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking Boswellia if you are on immunosuppressant therapy unless approved by your prescribing physician.
Target id:
/condition/bleeding-disorders
Target name:
Bleeding Disorders
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Due to its potential antiplatelet effects, Boswellia may increase bleeding risk in individuals with pre-existing conditions like hemophilia or von Willebrand disease.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and consult a hematologist if you have a diagnosed bleeding disorder.
Target id:
/class/nsaids
Target name:
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Although they work on different inflammatory pathways, concurrent use of Boswellia and NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) could theoretically increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation or bleeding.
Actionable advice:
Use caution when combining with NSAIDs for long durations and monitor for any stomach discomfort.
Target id:
/class/cyp3a4-substrates
Target name:
Drugs Metabolized by CYP3A4
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
In vitro studies suggest Boswellia may inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, which could slightly increase levels of medications metabolized by this pathway, such as some statins or calcium channel blockers.
Actionable advice:
If you take multiple medications, ask your pharmacist if any are sensitive CYP3A4 substrates before starting Boswellia.
Target id:
/class/cyp2c9-substrates
Target name:
Drugs Metabolized by CYP2C9
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Some evidence indicates Boswellia might inhibit the CYP2C9 enzyme, potentially raising concentrations of drugs like warfarin or certain oral diabetes medications.
Actionable advice:
Exercise caution and consult your doctor if taking medications metabolized by CYP2C9, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic index.
Target id:
/class/p-glycoprotein-substrates
Target name:
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) Substrate Drugs
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Boswellia may inhibit the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump in the gut, which could increase the absorption and blood levels of certain drugs like digoxin or fexofenadine.
Actionable advice:
Be aware of this potential interaction if you take medications known to be P-gp substrates.
Target id:
/intervention/curcumin
Target name:
Curcumin
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Boswellia (inhibiting the 5-LOX pathway) and Curcumin (inhibiting COX and NF-κB pathways) target different aspects of the inflammatory cascade, potentially offering broader anti-inflammatory effects when combined.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking Boswellia and Curcumin together for complementary anti-inflammatory support.
Target id:
/class/chemotherapy-radiation
Target name:
Chemotherapy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Boswellia can interfere with drug-metabolizing enzymes (e.g., CYP3A4) and transporters (P-gp), which can unpredictably alter the concentration, efficacy, and toxicity of chemotherapy drugs.
Actionable advice:
Do not take Boswellia during chemotherapy unless specifically directed and monitored by your oncologist.