What is the effect of boldo?
The leaves of the boldo bush are recognized as a traditional herbal medicine. They are used for mild functional disorders of the liver and gall bladder, for mild digestive complaints, and for the supportive treatment of constipation.
Various alkaloids, flavonoids, and two to three percent essential oil (monoterpenes therein) are the medicinal ingredients of boldo. The main alkaloid is the antispasmodic boldin. It stimulates bile production and increases the production and release of gastric juice.
Anti-inflammatory, liver-protective and antioxidant effects have also been described for boldo. Antioxidant means that the medicinal plant can scavenge cell-damaging aggressive oxygen compounds (“free radicals”) in the body.
How is boldo used?
There are several ways to use boldo.
Boldo as a home remedy
To do this, pour about a teaspoon of finely chopped boldo leaves with 150 milliliters of boiling water. Let it steep for ten minutes, covered, and then strain the plant parts. You can drink such a cup of warm boldo tea two or three times a day. The daily dose is 4.5 grams of boldo leaves.
You can also combine boldo leaves with other medicinal plants when making tea to treat digestive problems. For example, combinations with anise, fennel or peppermint help with dyspepsia (pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, vomiting). For disorders of bile function, the addition of celandine or artichoke leaves may be helpful.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limitations. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
There are various finished preparations based on boldo leaves, for example liquid extracts such as tinctures) and dry extracts as tablets and capsules. For use and dosage, please follow the instructions in the package leaflet or the recommendations of your doctor or pharmacist.
What side effects may Boldo cause?
Occasionally, Boldo causes allergic reactions. In addition, in fair-skinned people, the skin may be more sensitive to sunlight.
What you should be aware of when using Boldo products
In case of obstruction of the bile duct, gallstones, cholecystitis and other biliary diseases as well as severe liver diseases, you should definitely seek medical help.
Due to the alkaloid content, women must not take Boldo during pregnancy. There is insufficient research on the safety of use in women who are breastfeeding and in adolescents under 18 years of age. In this case, ask a doctor for advice beforehand.
How to obtain Boldo products
Dried boldo leaves, tea and standardized ready-to-use medicinal preparations can be found in your local pharmacy and well-stocked drugstores. For proper use and dosage, read the respective package insert and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is Boldo?
Boldo (Peumus boldus) is a shrub up to six meters tall, native to Chile and Peru. It is also naturalized on the west coast of the United States and in mountainous Mediterranean regions. The evergreen plant bears thick, leathery, entire-edged leaves year-round that have a strong spicy odor.
The dried boldo leaves used for the production of medicinal preparations come from Chile.
