2025, Vol. 9 Issue 3, Part CPages: 200-203
Kundur (Boswellia serrata): A critical evaluation of its ethnobotanical significance, physiochemical characteristics and therapeutic potential
Tauseef Ahmad, Mohammed Wahid Ansari, Omair Malik, Mohammad Shakil and Ashok Kumar
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Abstract:
Boswellia serrata Roxb, commonly known as Salai or Kundur in Unani medicine, is a prominent medicinal plant of the Burseraceae family, valued primarily for its aromatic oleo-gum resin. In Unani classical texts, the plant is described as having a hot and dry temperament and is widely used for its astringent, detergent, haemostatic, memory-enhancing, expectorant, and tissue-regenerative properties. The gum, resin, and oil are the main parts utilized, and formulations such as Majoon Kundur have been prescribed for urinary disorders, respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal ailments, chronic wounds, and memory enhancement. Dosage, substitutes, corrective agents, and preparation methods are well documented, reflecting centuries of traditional experience. Botanical and ethnobotanical descriptions note Boswellia serrata as a deciduous tree with exfoliating bark, abundant resin canals, pinkish-white flowers, and heart-shaped seeds. The oleo-gum resin, known as sallai guggal or olibanum, is harvested by making incisions in the bark and collecting the exuded gum, which is considered most potent when fresh, soft, and white-yellowish in colour. Modern pharmacological studies have validated many traditional Unani claims, showing that boswellic acids the major constituents of the resin possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor, and anti-urolithiatic activities. Experimental evidence demonstrates inhibition of inflammatory mediators, reduction of edema in arthritic models, protection against chemically induced liver and kidney damage, and suppression of cancer cell proliferation. Overall, Boswellia serrata exemplifies a medicinal plant where classical Unani knowledge aligns with modern scientific validation. Its traditional uses, pharmacological properties, and well-documented formulations highlight its potential as a therapeutic agent and encourage further research for integration into contemporary herbal medicine.
