Boldo

(Peumus boldus)

Family: Monimiaceae
Genus: Peumus
Species: boldus
Synonyms: Boldea fragrans, Peumus fragrans
Common Names: boldo, boldu, boldus, boldoa, boldina, baldina, molina
Phytochemicals: Myrtenal,1,8-cineole,1-methyl-4-isopropenyl-benzene, 2-decanone, 2-heptaone, 2-nonanone, 2-octanone, Alpha-3-carene, Alpha-fenchol, Alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde, Alpha-methylionone, Alpha-pinene, Alpha- terpineol, Ascaridole, Benzaldehyde, Benzyl-benzoate, Beta-pinene, Boldine, Boldoglucin, Bornyl-acetate, Camphene, Camphor, Choline, Coumarin, Cuminaldehyde, Diethyl-phthalate, EO, Eugenol, Farnesol, Fenchone, Gamma-terpinene, Isoboldine, Isocorydine, Isocorydine-n-oxide, Isorhamnetin- 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside, Kaempferol-3-glucoside-7 -rhamnoside, Laurolitsine, Laurotetanine, Limonene, Linalool, Methyl-eugenol, Norisocorydine, P-cymene, P-cymol, Rhamnetin-3-arabinoside-3'-rhamnoside, Sabinene, Sparteine, Tannin, Terpinen-4-Ol, Terpinoline, 2-tridecanone, 2-undecanone, eta-isomethylionone, Boldin, Gum, Isorhamnetin-3-alpha-l-arabinopyranosid\ E-7-alpha-l-rhamn, N-methyllaurotetanine, Pachycarpine, Resin, Reticuline
Part Used: Leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: stimulates digestion protects liver detoxifies liver stimulates bile supports gallbladder expels worms kills parasites increases urination

Other Actions: supports heart stimulates reduces gas moderately laxative reduces inflammation relieves pain

Standard Dosage: Leaves. Infusion: 1/2 cup 1-2 times daily; Tincture: 2-4 ml twice daily; Capsules: 1-2 g twice daily.

Boldo is a slow-growing, shrubby evergreen tree that is found in the Andean regions of Chile and Peru, and also is indigenous to parts of Morocco. It is cultivated in Italy, Brazil, and North Africa to meet the demand for its medicinal leaves in European and Canadian markets where it is widely used.

Boldo has many biologically active chemicals. At least 17 alkaloids have been documented thus far, several of which are believed to be boldo's main active constituents. Much of the biological activity of the plant has been attributed to a single alkaloid called boldine.
In various studies over the years boldine has shown to protect the liver, to stimulate the production of bile in the liver, as well as to stimulate digestion, increase the secretion of gastric juices and stimulate the production of bile and its secretion from the gallbladder. In other laboratory tests, boldine has demonstrated diuretic, fever reducing, anti-inflammatory properties, the ability to reduce excess uric acid, as well as anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activities, the ability to protect against colon damage and inflammation in induced colitis and colon inflammation in animals. Other research on boldine indicates that it has a strong cellular protective and antioxidant effect in the blood and can normalize sticky blood (inhibits platelet aggregation).

Most of these studies validate the plant's traditional uses for many types of digestive and elimination problems, gallbladder problems and liver disorders. With so many studies on this important active alkaloid, it is understandable that most boldo herbal drugs sold in Europe are standardized for their the boldine content.

Researchers verified indigenous uses of boldo leaves in the 1950s and 1960s and showed that leaf extracts had diuretic, digestion stimulation, and bile-producing properties. Although these properties are attributed largely to the plant chemical boldine, one study with rats indicated that an alcohol extract of boldo leaves was more active than boldine alone. A recent human study demonstrated that boldo relaxes smooth muscle tissue and prolongs intestinal transit (which again validates its traditional uses for digestive functions). The antioxidant property of boldo leaves has also been documented.

Besides these uses doumented by research, indigenous uses of boldo have been widely documented.

Following-up here a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of boldo.

Region	Uses
Asia	for digestive problems, dyspepsia, hangover, intestinal gas, liver disorders
Brazil	for anorexia, bile insufficiency, cholecystitis, constipation, debilitation, digestive disorders, dizziness, dyspnea, gallstones, gastritis, gonorrhea, hepatitis, insomnia, intestinal gas, liver congestion, liver disorders, liver support, rheumatism, stomach problems, stomach pain, urinary insufficiency, weakness, and to stimulate digestion
Chile	for anorexia, bile insufficiency, bowel problems, high cholesterol, colds, cough, constipation, cystitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, earache, edema, fluid retention, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gastric sluggishness, hypothyroidism, inflammation, intestinal gas, intestinal cramps, intestinal parasites, jaundice, liver disorders, liver support, liver protection, obesity, rheumatism, sores, stomachache, stomach cramps, urinary insufficiency, worms, and as an antioxidant, antiseptic, digestive stimulant, and sedative
Europe	for bile insufficiency, digestion problems, dyspepsia, gallbladder pain, gallstones, gastrointestinal spasms, gonorrhea, gout, liver disorders, spasms, urinary insufficiency, and as an appetite stimulant and digestive stimulant
Latin America	for anorexia, bile insufficiency, bowel problems, colds, constipation, cystitis, digestion problems, dyspepsia, earache, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gonorrhea, gout, hepatitis, hepatitis, intestinal gas, intestinal parasites, jaundice, kidney stones, liver disorders, liver support, malaria, pain, parasites, rheumatism, spasms, stomach pain, syphilis, tonic, urogenital inflammation, urethritis, urinary insufficiency, worms, and as a antiseptic, digestive stimulant, and general tonic
Mexico	for bile disorders, digestive disorders, gallbladder problems, gallstones, liver disorders, liver support, pain, rheumatism, and as a digestive stimulant
Turkey	for liver support, rheumatism, urinary insufficiency, worms and used as an antiseptic, digestive stimulant, sedative, and tonic
United States	for bile stimulation, cystitis, digestive problems, elimination problems, gallbladder disorders, gallstones, gastrointestinal spasms, gout, hepatitis, inflammation, kidney disorders, liver disorders, pain, uric acid elimination, urinary infections, urinary insufficiency, urinary antiseptic, and used as an antiseptic (urinary), digestive stimulant, sedative, and tonic

BOLDO PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or tincture
Main Actions (in order):	liver and gallbladder bile stimulant, digestive stimulant, hepatoprotective (liver protector), vermifuge (expels worms)
Main Uses:	for gallstones and as a gallbladder stimulant (to stimulate bile) to tone, balance, and strengthen liver function (increases liver bile and detoxifies the liver) for upper digestive tract disorders (ulcers, sluggish digestion, lack of bile, dyspepsia) for bowel disorders (colitis, leaky gut, constipation, spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]) for intestinal worms and liver flukes
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	abortive, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever) gastroprotective, hepatoprotective (liver protector), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic, liver and gallbladder bile stimulant, muscle relaxant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, uterine relaxant, vasorelaxant (relaxes blood vessels), vermifuge (expels worms)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	analgesic (pain-reliever), antihepatotoxic (liver detoxifier), blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), laxative, stimulant
Traditional Preparation:	As a digestive aid or liver detoxifier, use 1/2 cup of a leaf infusion one or two times daily with meals or 2-4 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily. Or, if desired, take 1-2 g of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules twice daily. For standardized extracts, follow the label instructions.
Contraindications:	Boldo has demonstrated abortive properties and therefore should not be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Chemicals in boldo may thin the blood. Those taking blood-thinning medications (such as Warfarin®) or those with disorders that have a tendency towards thin blood (such as thrombocytopenia or hemophilia) should not take boldo unless under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Boldo has diuretic effects and is contraindicated for long-term, chronic use. Do not exceed the recommended dosages.
Drug Interactions:	Boldo may potentiate the effects of blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin®. One in vivo clinical study suggests that boldo and/or boldine can decrease metabolic activation and/or metabolism of toxins, drugs, and chemicals in the liver. As such, boldo may decrease the effect or reduce the half-life of certain drugs that should be metabolized in the liver.

WARNINGS: Information, statements and products on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The natural properties of the botanicals are only referred to their common uses among folk and herbal traditions. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease as well. It's not meant to give any suggestion of diagnosis or disesase treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.