Boldo is an evergreen native to Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. Explorers to South America observed natives using leaves as culinary spice, and also as a carminative agent with numerous therapeutic applications, including the treatment of gout and disorders of the liver, bladder, and prostate. In 1875, it was introduced to British and American pharmacists as a treatment for mild stomach, liver, and bladder discomforts, and also as a mild nervine, or sedative (Bastien, 1997).
Recent excavation of Monte Verde, an area in southern Chile, unearthed evidence of the medicinal use of 22 varieties of plants by people thought to have lived there more than 12,500 years ago. Among these plants is boldo, which archeologists found wrapped in seaweed. When chewed by individuals who had been severely injured or who required some kind of surgery, this combination of plants may have provided both painkilling and mind-altering properties (Gore, 1997).
Today, boldo leaves are used to treat gallstones, liver or gall bladder discomfort, cystitis, and rheumatism (Newall et al., 1996), and for heartburn or other mild stomach cramps. Its choleretic actions release bile, and its diuretic actions increase fluid excretion, possibly cleansing sediment or bacteria from the biliary tract itself (Schulz et al., 1998). The constituent boldine stimulates choleretic action (Tyler, 1994), which may provide relief to patients with gallstones for whom surgery is not an option or drugs have not been effective (Schulz et al., 1998). Although herbs that have been used over time to treat biliary tract diseases rely largely on empirical evidence as proof of efficacy, researchers, in a recent study of 12 human volunteers, concluded that a dry boldo extract lengthens intestinal transit time (Gotteland et al., 1995). Most human studies have used herbal combination formulas and not boldo alone (Newall et al., 1996).
Contemporary studies using laboratory animals suggest that boldo may reduce inflammation and fever through prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibition (Backhouse et al., 1994). Recent studies in animals showed that certain components of boldo relax smooth muscle and prolong intestinal transit (Gotteland et al., 1995). Boldo may provide the liver with protection against harmful chemicals, appearing to maintain adequate liver enzyme levels in response to toxic agents (Lanhers et al., 1991). The therapeutic implications of these actions require further study, as do boldo's use in folk medicine as a sedative; mechanisms of action and scope of activity have not been determined in this regard.
As with many herbs that have diuretic action, it is unclear whether boldo's actions are truly diuretic (stimulating both fluid and electrolyte secretion), or whether they are in fact aquaretic (stimulating only fluid excretion), a distinction that hypertensive or edematous patients need to consider (Tyler, 1994).
Boldo's aromatic essential oil contains a toxic constituent, ascaridole, which is contained in some plants used by traditional healers to treat parasitic diseases (Montoya-Cabrera et al., 1996); Germany's Commission E approves only boldo formulas that do not contain ascaridole.
Description
Boldo leaf consists of the dried leaves of Peumus boldus Molina [Fam. Monimiaceae], as well as its preparations in effective dosage. The leaves contain at least 0.1% alkaloids, calculated as boldine, and flavonoids.
Chemistry and Pharmacology
The plant contains 0.25–0.70% alkaloids (Leung and Foster, 1996). Other constituents include 13% essential oil composed of monoterpenoids (including volatile oils (limonene, b-pinene, p-cymene), linalol, cineole, camphor, ascaridole (Bruneton, 1995; Newall et al., 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). Common flavonol glycosides (e.g., rhamnetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol derivatives), resin, and tannins can be found in the plant (Bruneton, 1995; Leung and Foster, 1996).
The Commission E reported that boldo increases gastric secretions and has antispasmodic properties. Boldo's alkaloidal constituents are apparently responsible for its confirmed choleretic activity (Newall et al., 1996). In vitro, boldine protects against damaging free radicals, as shown in animal studies. Boldine also acts in vitro as a smooth muscle relaxant and as a contraction impediment (Bruneton, 1995).
Uses
The Commission E approved boldo as treatment for mild dyspepsia and spastic gastrointestinal complaints. It has been used successfully as treatment for gallstones, liver ailments, cystitis, and rheumatism (Newall et al., 1996).
Contraindications
Obstruction of bile ducts, severe liver diseases. In case of gallstones, to be used only after consultation with a physician.
Side Effects
None known.
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
No restrictions known.
Interactions with Other Drugs
None known.
Dosage and Administration
Unless otherwise prescribed: 3 g per day of cut herb.
Infusion: 3 g in 150 ml water.
Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 3 ml.
Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 15 ml.
Note: Because of the ascaridole content, essential oil and distillates of boldo leaf should not be used.
References
Backhouse, N. et al. 1994. Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of boldine. Agents Actions 42(34):114-117.
Bastien, J.W. 1987. Healers of the Andes—Kallaway Herbalists and Their Medicinal Plants. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press.
Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing.
Gore, R. 1997. The most ancient Americans. National Geographic 192(4):98-99.
Gotteland, M., J. Espinoza, B. Cassels, H. Speisky. 1995. [Effect of a dry boldo extract on oro-cecal intestinal transit in healthy volunteers] [In Spanish]. Rev Med Chil 123(8):955-960.
Lanhers, M.C. et al. 1991. Hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of a traditional medicinal plant of Chile, Peumus boldus. Planta Med 57(2):110-115.
Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Montoya-Cabrera, M.A. et al. 1996. Fatal poisoning caused by oil of epazote, Chenopodium graveolens. Gac Med Mex 132(4):433-437.
Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson, J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
Schulz, V., R. Hänsel, V.E. Tyler. 1998. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. New York: Springer.
Tyler, V.E. 1994. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press.
Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.
Additional Resources
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP).1983. Keighley, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association.
Borgia, M. et al. 1981. Pharmacological activity of a herb extract: A controlled clinical study. Curr Ther Res (29):525536.
Borgia, M. et al. 1985. Studio policentrico doppio-cieco doppio-controllato sull'attivita terapeutica di una nota associazione di erbe medicamentose. Clin Ter (114):401-409.
Deutscher Arzneimittel-Codex (DAC). 1986. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.
List, P.H. and L. Hörhammer (eds.). 1977. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4th ed. Vol. 6A. New York: Springer Verlag.
Pharmacopoeia Helvetica, 7th ed. (Ph.Helv.VII), Vol. 14. 1987. Bern: Office Central Fédéral des Imprimés et du Matériel.
Reynolds, J.E.F. (ed.). 1982. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
Salati R, R. Lugli, E. Tamborino. 1984. Valutazione delle proprieta coleretiche di due preparati contenenti estratti di boldo e cascara [Evaluation of the choleretic property of 2 preparations containing extracts of boldo and cascara]. Minerva Dietol Gastroenterol 30(3):269-272.
Wagner, H. and P. Wolff (eds.). 1977. New Natural Products and Plant Drugs with Pharmacological, Biological, or Therapeutical Activity. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag.
Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex: The C.W. Daniel Company Ltd.
This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E Monographs—Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.
1) The Overview section is new information.
2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.
3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:
Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml
4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes.
This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.
Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council Published by Integrative Medicine Communications Available from the American Botanical Council.