In traumatic brain injury (TBI) Boswellia has had inconsistent evidence, as it improved cognitive assessments after 3 months of supplementation in one randomized controlled trial (RCT),[1] but not after 6 weeks of supplementation in a randomized crossover trial.[2] Besides the difference in the durations of supplementation, the participants in the RCT had had a TBI 3 months to 3 years previously, versus the participants in the crossover trial who were given Boswellia (or a placebo) within 24 hours of admission to the hospital.
Similar to the crossover trial, Boswellia was given to the participants in an RCT within 72 hours of having a stroke. However, in this study Boswellia improved neurological function and reduced inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-ɑ) after only 1 month of supplementation.[3]
In another trial that examined a 1-month duration of supplementation, a supplement containing Boswellia and lemon balm improved memory scores in older adults.[4] However, because the dose of Boswellia was only 27 mg, it is less likely that Boswellia had an effect, and lemon balm might have effects on memory as well.[5][6]
Ultimately, Boswellia might improve cognitive health after a neurological injury, but confidence in this effect is low.