Boldo

Information
Application
Notes
References

Photo: P. Schönfelder

Botanical name

Peumus boldus Molina

Family

Monimiaceae

Common name

Boldo

Information about the plant

The biennial Boldo shrub is the only representative of the Boldo genus. It is native to central Chile and Peru from the 30th to the 41st parallel, where it forms dense bush forests. It is also found naturalized in mountainous Mediterranean regions and on the west coast of North America.

The evergreen boldo shrub grows up to 6 m high and has thick, leathery, whole-edged leaves with a strong, spicy scent. The leaf edge is slightly curled downwards, and the upper surface of the leaf is covered with small, warty bumps. The white, bell-shaped flowers form clusters. After fertilization, small yellowish-green, edible berries grow. The flowering time is during the South American winter (June to August).

Medicinally used parts of plants (herbal drug)

Only the leaves (boldo leaves - boldi folium) are used.

The commercially available drug comes from Chile.

Constituents of the herbal drug

Boldo leaves contain essential oil, aporphine alkaloids (main alkaloid boldine), and flavonoids.

Quality of the drug

The quality of the following drugs or drug preparations is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.):

Boldo leaves (Boldi folium)
Boldo leaf dry extract (Boldi folii extractum siccum)

Medical applications

Recognised medical use

The HMPC has classified boldo leaves as a traditional herbal medicinal product (see “Traditional use”).

ESCOP: For mild hepatobiliary dysfunction and for the symptomatic treatment of mild digestive complaints.

Traditional use

Boldo leaves have been classified by the HMPC as a traditional herbal medicinal product (Article 16a of Directive 2001/83/EC). The HMPC concluded that, based upon long-standing use, these boldo leaf preparations can be used for the relief of symptoms of dyspepsia (indigestion) and mild spasmodic disorders of the gastrointestinal tracts.

Herbal drug preparations in finished dosage forms

Cut boldo leaves for the preparation of a tea
Dry extracts in tablets and capsules
Tincture in liquid preparations
Liquid extract

Dosage

Finished medicinal product: see patient information leaflet.

Tea: drink a cup of warm boldo leaf tea 2 to 3 times a day; daily dose: 4.5 g drug.

Preparation of a tea

Pour 150 mL of boiling water over 1 to 2 g of cut boldo leaves and strain after 10 to 15 minutes.

Notes

Medical consultation must be taken in cases of biliary obstruction, gallbladder inflammation, gallstones, and other biliary diseases, as well as liver diseases.

No safety studies are available on the use of boldo leaves during pregnancy and lactation; use in children and adolescents under the age of 18 is not recommended due to a lack of evidence.