Tamjan - Olibanum Boswellia sacra

The family Burseraceae with 20 genera and about 600 species is represented in North- East Africa, Arabia, India and tropical America. Oleoresin canals are found in the phloem and, in some species of Boswellia, in the pith. Frankincense or olibanum is an oleo-gum-resin obtained by incision from the bark of species of Boswellia. Boswellia sacra Roxb., B. carteri Birdw. and B. papyrifera Hochst are small trees indigenous to Arabia and North-Eastern Africa. Of medicinal irfterest is Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr., growing in India (Indian Olibanum or Salaiguggal). The drug occurs in more or less ovoid tears. The surface is dusty and of a yellowish or greenish colour. Odour is characteristic, especially when burned. Taste is slightly bitter. Olibanum contains 5-9% volatile oil, about 60-70% of resin and 27-35% of gum. The drug is used in incense and fumigating preparations. Today its medicinal effects again increase attention. Of all the various medicinal applications in the past the antiarthritic and antirheumatic, analgesic and sedative effects have been confirmed by modem medicine. The pharmacologically most important constituents are derivatives of boswellic acid, which are contained in the Indian, the Somalian and the Arabian Boswellia species. The Boswellia serrata extract H 15 was used for the treatment of active Crohn's disease.