Boldo: benefits, dosage, contraindications

Updated on 18 March 2025

Boldo is an evergreen shrub native to the Andean regions of South America, primarily cultivated in Chile. This plant is recognizable by its oval, grayish-green leaves that are thick, leathery, and rough to the touch. The leaves, harvested between summer and autumn, are traditionally used for their medicinal properties. Boldo leaves are rich in alkaloids, notably boldine, which is the main active compound. They also contain between 2% and 3% essential oils, with components such as p-cymene and ascaridole, as well as flavonoids and a small amount of coumarin. Standardized to ensure consistent quality and efficacy, Boldo should contain a minimum of 0.1% alkaloids expressed as boldine and at least 2.0% essential oils. Historically, Boldo has been used by Chilean indigenous peoples as a hepatic tonic, carminative, and diuretic, among others. Recognized in Europe since the 1880s, Boldo is especially valued for its beneficial action on hepatobiliary disorders. It is traditionally used to relieve dyspepsia related to bile insufficiency, gastrointestinal spasms, and as support in the treatment of gout and certain metabolic problems.

Other name(s)

a:0:{}

Scientific name(s)

Peumus boldus

Family or group:

Plants

Active ingredients:

Boldine

p-cymene

Indications

Rating methodology

EFSA approval.

Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, including a significant number of patients (>100) with consistently positive outcomes for the indication.

Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, and including a significant number of patients (>100) with positive outcomes for the indication.

One or more randomized studies or multiple cohorts or epidemiological studies with positive outcomes for the indication.

Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or contradictory.

Lack of clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.

Biliary disorders
✪✪✪✪✪

Boldo is traditionally used to treat dyspepsia of biliary origin and other hepatobiliary disorders due to its alkaloid components and essential oils.

Posologie

Oral route: leaf

60 - 200 mg

dry extract

Phytotherapy as ancillary treatment after urinary stone lithotripsy in pediatric age

Digestive spasms
✪✪✪✪✪

Boldo is renowned for its antispasmodic effects, particularly useful in treating gastrointestinal spasms. According to EMA recommendations, Boldo is used for the symptomatic relief of dyspepsia and mild spasmodic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, confirming its historical use and benefits in managing digestive issues.

Posologie

Oral route: leaf

60 - 200 mg

dry extract

Council in Phytotherapy, Guide for Prescribers. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.
European Union herbal monograph on Peumus boldus Molina, folium

Properties

Hepato-protective

Research shows that Boldo has hepato-protective properties, particularly against damage caused by hepatotoxic agents such as cisplatin. This protection is attributed to Boldo's catechins, which have significant antioxidant effects. These compounds effectively prevent lipid peroxidation in hepatic microsomes and reduce the activity of cytochrome P4502E1, thereby limiting oxidative damage to the liver. Boldine, another active component, also contributes to this protection by inhibiting cellular damage without diminishing cisplatin's anticancer efficacy.

Usages associés

Biliary disorders

Council in Phytotherapy, Guide for Prescribers. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.

Antioxidant

Boldo leaves contain flavonoids such as catechin and alkaloids like boldine, which have significant antioxidant effects. These components neutralize free radicals and protect cells against oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Council in Phytotherapy, Guide for Prescribers. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.

Digestive effect

Boldo boosts digestion by stimulating bile production thanks to its alkaloids, which assist in the breakdown of fats. Its antispasmodic properties also help reduce spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby improving digestive comfort. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by Boldo increases gastrointestinal motility, facilitating the transit of food through the digestive system.

Usages associés

Digestive spasms

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant activity and toxicity of Peumus boldus water extracts on HeLa and Caco-2 cell lines
Council in Phytotherapy, Guide for Prescribers. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.

Safety dosage

Adult: 60 mg - 200 mg (dry extract)

- Infusion: 1-2 g of the crushed herb in 150 ml of boiling water, 2-3 times a day. - Dry extract: daily dose 60-200mg. Boldo may be potentially dangerous when taken orally in medicinal quantities. The volatile oil (2.5% in the leaf) contains ascaridole, a liver toxin.

Interactions

Médicaments

Tacrolimus: moderate interaction

Possible interaction with tacrolimus (lower plasma levels).

Warfarin: minor interaction

Increased anticoagulant activity of warfarin due to the presence of anticoagulant coumarins in Boldo.

Contraindications

Pregnant women: prohibited

Boldo is potentially dangerous when taken orally in medicinal quantities. In animals, Boldo and the component boldine have abortifacient and teratogenic effects. Moreover, Boldo's component ascaridole is a liver toxin.

Breastfeeding women: prohibited

Not recommended for breastfeeding women.

Biliary tract obstruction: prohibited

Liver failure: prohibited

Conseil scientifique