Boswellia serrata also known as Frankincense has been used for centuries for a number of ailments.  More recently its therapeutic application to inflammatory diseases has made it a notable ingredient.  Skepticism may be laid to rest due to a recent review of the clinical efficacy of Boswellia performed by Ernst (2008).  Several clinical studies of approved methodological quality showed the clinical effectiveness of Boswellia serrata in relation to asthma, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and colitis.  The active component of Boswellia, boswellic acid, is thought to inhibit the production of leukotrienes, the necessary molecules needed for inflammation to occur.  According to Ammon (2002) this inhibition occurs due to the binding of Boswellic acids to the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase.  The binding of this enzyme, interrupts its activity, rendering it incapable of participating in leukotriene biosynthesis.  As an anti-inflammatory, Boswellia serrata is certainly a capable and effective aid.   

References

Kimmatkar, N.  Efficacy and tolerability of extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee:  A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial.  Phytomedicine.  2003.  10 (1): Page 3

Gupta I, Parihar A, Malhotra P, Gupta S, Ludtke R, Safayhi H, Ammon HP.   Effects of gum resin of Boswellia serrata in patients with chronic colitis.  Planta Med 2001 Jul;67(5):391-5

Ernst. E.  Frankincense: systematic review.BMJ. 2008 Dec 17;337:a2813. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a2813. 

Ammon HP.  [Boswellic acids (components of frankincense) as the active principle in treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases].  Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):373-8.