Sallaki (Boswellia serrata) is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to India, known for its gum resin called Indian Frankincense or Salai guggul. This gum-resin is widely used in Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, especially arthritis, joint pain, and respiratory disorders. Its powerful anti-inflammatory action is mainly due to active compounds known as boswellic acids.
Guggal Scientific Name
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Angiosperms
- Class: Eudicots
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Burseraceae
- Genus: Boswellia
- Species: Boswellia serrata
Boswellia serrata Common Name
- English: Indian Frankincense, Salai
- Sanskrit: Shallaki, Gajabhaksha
- Hindi: Salai guggul
- Gujarati: Guggal
- Tamil: Parangikattam
- Telugu: Phirangi-samadram
- Kannada: Phirangimalligida
- Marathi: Dhup, Salai
Boswellia serrata Uses
- Respiratory Disorders - Acts as a bronchodilator, used in asthma and chronic bronchitis.
- Anti-inflammatory Agent - Boswellic acids inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme responsible for inflammation, Comparable efficacy to NSAIDs, without gastric irritation.
- Skin and Wound Healing - Topical application of the gum helps in wound healing and skin infections.
References
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Part I, Vol. III. Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH.
Indian Materia Medica, Dr. K.M. Nadkarni, Popular Prakashan.
Ammon, H.P.T. (2006). "Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases." Planta Medica, 72(12), 1100–1116.
Siddiqui, M.Z. (2011). "Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview." Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 73(3), 255–261.
European Medicines Agency (EMA) – Assessment Report on Boswellia serrata.
Sivarajan, V.V., & Balachandran, I. (1994). Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources. Oxford & IBH Publishing.
Sharma, P.C., Yelne, M.B., & Dennis, T.J. (2002). Database on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda, Vol. 3. CCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH.
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