Frankincense — Safety & Interactions
Ru Xiang · Resina Olibani
Use with caution. Practitioner review recommended before use.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy unless specifically prescribed by an experienced practitioner
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or active bleeding without a clear blood-stasis rationale
- Known resin allergy or contact-dermatitis tendency
Cautions
- MSK notes boswellia may increase bleeding risk when used with blood thinners.
- Supplement extracts can be much more concentrated than crude medicinal resin and may not behave like traditional decoction or powder use.
- Species sourcing varies across frankincense products marketed outside classical TCM channels.
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin - boswellia may increase bleeding risk. | |||
| Drugs affected by OATP1B3 transport - boswellic acids modulated this transporter in vitro, but clinical relevance remains unclear. | |||
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified practitioner before any use.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.