Boswellia Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 1,621 found this helpful

Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr.; Boswellia glabra Roxb.

No animal poisoning cases linked to Boswellia are recorded in existing scientific literature as of 2013

All parts of Boswellia are unsuitable and not approved for use as feed for any animal species

Other closely related Boswellia species are confirmed to be non-toxic to both humans and animals

FAQ

Is Boswellia toxic to Humans?

No reported toxicity symptoms from standard exposure; mild gastrointestinal discomfort may occur with excessive oral consumption (Non-toxic)

Is Boswellia toxic to Cats?

No documented toxicity symptoms in cats to date (Non-toxic)

Is Boswellia toxic to Dogs?

No documented toxicity symptoms in dogs to date (Non-toxic)

Is Boswellia toxic to Horses?

No documented toxicity symptoms in horses to date (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No reported toxicity symptoms from standard exposure; mild gastrointestinal discomfort may occur with excessive oral consumption

Cats

Non-toxic

No documented toxicity symptoms in cats to date

Dogs

Non-toxic

No documented toxicity symptoms in dogs to date

Horses

Non-toxic

No documented toxicity symptoms in horses to date

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic plant parts have been formally identified, but all plant material is unsuitable for animal feed use

Exposure RouteOral ingestion is the primary potential exposure route for both humans and animals

Toxic CompoundsNo specific toxic compounds identified in the provided reference data

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse the mouth of the exposed person/animal with clean fresh water immediately
• Remove all remaining Boswellia plant material from the reach of pets and livestock
• Monitor for unusual signs of discomfort for 2 to 4 hours after ingestion

Contact Vet Immediately

• If the animal shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy after ingesting large amounts of the plant
• If a small companion animal consumes a very large quantity of Boswellia plant material

Prevention

• Never use Boswellia plant material as feed for any companion animal or livestock
• Keep potted Boswellia plants out of reach of curious pets and grazing livestock
• Confirm plant identification with an expert before using any wild-harvested plant material for consumption

Treatment & Prognosis

• General supportive care is recommended if any unforeseen adverse effects occur
• No specific antidote is available as no confirmed toxic effects have been documented

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameBoswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr.; Boswellia glabra Roxb.

AliasesFrankincense Tree、Olibanum-Tree、Indischer Weihrauch (German)、Boswellie (French)

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No specific target organs for toxicity identified in available reference data

Mechanism of Action

• No specific toxic mechanism identified as no confirmed poisoning cases have been recorded to date

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): No reported poisoning cases, but plant material is explicitly not suitable for use as feed

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): No reported toxicity cases, avoid feeding to prevent unforeseen adverse effects

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other related Boswellia species Boswellia spp.

Taxonomically and visually very similar to Boswellia serrata and Boswellia glabra; all related Boswellia species are classified as non-toxic, and differentiation requires analysis of leaf and resin morphological traits

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Related Toxic Plants

Myrrh

Commiphora myrrha

Non-toxic, unsuitable for animal feed

Balsam of Peru

Myroxylon balsamum

Low toxicity, may cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset

Indian Bdellium Tree

Commiphora wightii

Low toxicity, may cause liver irritation with excessive consumption

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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