Researchers tested extracts from eight plants that have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to see if they could reduce inflammation in the lungs and airways. They focused on two plant families: Boswellia and Commiphora, which grow in Africa and the Middle East. Using laboratory tests on human airway cells, scientists found that these plant extracts could reduce harmful inflammatory signals, especially when dealing with viral infections or bacterial toxins. The study suggests these traditional remedies may have real scientific backing, though more research in humans is needed before they can be recommended as treatments.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether extracts from eight different plants used in traditional medicine could reduce inflammation in human lung and airway cells
  • Who participated: This was a laboratory study using human airway cells grown in dishes, not actual people. Researchers tested cells exposed to viral-like substances and bacterial toxins
  • Key finding: Boswellia serrata (frankincense) was most effective at reducing inflammatory chemicals when cells were exposed to viral-like triggers, while myrrh worked best by boosting protective immune signals and reducing harmful ones when exposed to bacterial toxins
  • What it means for you: These findings suggest traditional plant remedies may have real anti-inflammatory effects, but this is early-stage laboratory research. Don’t replace medical treatments yet—more human studies are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness

The Research Details

Scientists conducted laboratory experiments using human airway cells (the cells that line your lungs and breathing passages). They tested extracts from eight different plants, including frankincense and myrrh, which have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The researchers exposed these cells to two different types of inflammatory triggers: one that mimics a viral infection and another that mimics a bacterial infection. They measured how the plant extracts affected the cells’ survival, death, and the inflammatory chemicals they produced. The study also tested a commercial dietary supplement made from Boswellia serrata to see if it worked similarly to the raw plant extract.

Testing in laboratory cells is an important first step before human trials because it helps scientists understand exactly how plants might work in the body. By using human airway cells specifically, researchers could see effects relevant to lung and respiratory health. This approach is safer and faster than jumping straight to human testing, and it helps identify which plants are worth studying further

This is a laboratory study, which means results are preliminary and cannot be directly applied to people yet. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed the work before publication. However, the sample size of cells tested was not specified in the abstract, and there’s no information about how many times experiments were repeated. Results from lab cells don’t always translate to the human body, so human clinical trials would be needed to confirm these findings

What the Results Show

Boswellia serrata (frankincense) showed the strongest ability to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines—these are chemical messengers that trigger inflammation—when airway cells were exposed to viral-like triggers. This suggests frankincense may be particularly helpful for viral respiratory infections. Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) worked differently: it reduced inflammation by increasing protective immune signals (interleukin-10) while decreasing harmful inflammatory signals (interleukin-8) when cells were exposed to bacterial toxins. This suggests myrrh may be better suited for bacterial-related inflammation. All eight plant extracts tested showed some anti-inflammatory effects, but they worked through different mechanisms, meaning each plant may be useful for different types of respiratory problems.

The researchers also tested whether the plant extracts were toxic to airway cells at the concentrations used. At the doses that showed anti-inflammatory effects, the extracts did not harm or kill the cells, which is important for safety. A commercial dietary supplement made from Boswellia serrata showed similar anti-inflammatory properties to the raw plant extract, suggesting the manufacturing process preserved the active compounds. The study used advanced cell cultivation techniques that more closely mimic how cells behave in the actual lungs, which strengthens the relevance of the findings

This research builds on decades of traditional medicine use and previous laboratory studies showing these plants have anti-inflammatory properties. The study provides more detailed scientific explanation for why these plants have been used for respiratory conditions in traditional medicine systems across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. However, most previous research has been in test tubes or animals, so this study’s use of human airway cells represents a step closer to understanding real-world effects. The findings align with traditional uses but go further by identifying which plants work best for different types of inflammation

This study only tested plant extracts in laboratory cells, not in living people or even whole animals. The human body is much more complex than cells in a dish, and what works in a lab may not work the same way in a real person. The study doesn’t tell us what dose would be safe or effective in humans, how long effects would last, or whether the plants might interact with medications. Additionally, the abstract doesn’t specify how many times experiments were repeated or provide detailed statistical information, which makes it harder to assess the reliability of the results. More research, including human clinical trials, is absolutely necessary before these plants can be recommended as medical treatments

The Bottom Line

Based on this laboratory research alone, these plant extracts cannot be recommended as replacements for medical treatment of respiratory infections or chronic lung inflammation. However, the findings suggest these plants are worth further study and may eventually prove useful as complementary treatments alongside conventional medicine. If you’re interested in trying these plants, consult your doctor first, especially if you take medications or have serious respiratory conditions. Current evidence level: Preliminary laboratory findings—more human research needed

People with chronic respiratory inflammation, frequent viral respiratory infections, or those interested in traditional medicine may find this research interesting. However, people with serious lung diseases, those taking blood thinners (frankincense may have anticoagulant properties), pregnant women, and people with allergies to these plants should be especially cautious and consult healthcare providers. This research is most relevant to scientists and doctors deciding which plants deserve further human testing, not yet to the general public for self-treatment

This is very early-stage research. If these plants move forward to human clinical trials, it would typically take 3-10 years of additional research before they could be recommended as treatments. Any benefits seen in laboratory cells would need to be confirmed in human studies, which take time to design, conduct, and analyze. Don’t expect immediate results from using these plants—this research is about understanding potential, not proven effectiveness

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If a user discusses these plants with their doctor and receives approval to try them, they could track respiratory symptoms weekly using a simple 1-10 scale for: cough frequency, mucus production, shortness of breath, and overall respiratory comfort. Also track any side effects or interactions with other medications
  • Users could set a reminder to discuss these plant extracts with their healthcare provider at their next appointment. If approved, they could log daily intake of any frankincense or myrrh supplements and note any changes in respiratory symptoms, energy levels, or side effects. This creates accountability and provides data for their doctor
  • Establish a baseline of respiratory symptoms before starting any plant extract, then track weekly for at least 8-12 weeks to see if there are meaningful changes. Use the app to note patterns—do symptoms improve more in certain seasons or with certain activities? Share this data with a healthcare provider to determine if the plant extract is actually helping or if other factors are responsible for any improvements

This research describes laboratory findings only and has not been tested in humans. These plant extracts are not approved by the FDA as medical treatments for any condition. Do not use these plants to replace prescribed medications or medical treatment for respiratory infections or chronic lung disease. Frankincense and myrrh may interact with blood thinners and other medications. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people with allergies should avoid these plants. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or herbal treatment, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.