* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Other Names: Boldo (French); Boldo (German); boldo (Italian); boldo (Spanish).
Description: Boldo is a shrub or small tree of up to 7 m in height with broad, leathery leaves, easily recognised by the numerous small, warty protuberances on the upper surface and the slightly rolled-in margins. The flowers are small, bell-shaped and yellowish in colour, and the fruits are small, yellow, edible berries.
Origin: South America (Chile). The plant is cultivated to a limited extent.
Parts Used: Dried leaves (boldo leaf - Boldo folium).
Uses and Properties: The main use of boldo leaf is as a choleretic medicine to treat dyspepsia and mild spastic complaints. It is also considered to be a good general medicine and tonic. Leaf extracts are commonly included in cholagogues and biliary preparations, including teas, instant teas, teabags, powders and drops. Preparations that are standardised for their alkaloid content are preferred. Boldo is also a traditional anthelmintic in Chile.
Preparation and Dosage: A choleretic tea can be made with 1 - 2 g of chopped leaf and drunk two or three times a day (an average daily dose of 3 g). Standardised preparations and teas can also be used.
Active Ingredients: Boldo leaves contain 0.2% aporphine alkaloids of which boldine is the main compound. An essential oil is present at a yield of 2-3% of leaf dry weight, with p-cymene (30%), ascaridole (40-50%), 1,8-cineole, linalool, and other minor mono-terpenoids. The leaves also contain small amounts of flavonols and their glycosides (e.g. boldoglucin, isorhamnetin).
Pharmacological Effects: Boldine stimulates the production of bile, its secretion from the gall bladder and the secretion of gastric juices. It also has mild diuretic and weak hypnotic activities, and stimulates excretion of uric acid. The liver protective activity observed in animal studies is thought to be due to boldine, but not the anti-inflammatory effects that went recorded. Ascaridole is a major component of the oil and has known anthelmintic and emetic effects. It is toxic to humans (symptoms: ringing in the ears, spasms and coma) so that the pure oil is not suitable for internal use.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.; Comm. E+; ESCOP 1.
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Directions
Fresh drawn, boiling water contains the most oxygen, thereby giving the fullest taste to tea. Water that has been boiling for some time looses the oxygen and thereby the best taste.
Allow full expansion during the infusion and easy removal after the time for steeping has elapsed.
Draw into a tea pot or kettle the best fresh water that you have available.
Warm the teapot and cups while the water is boiling.
Cautions
Do not use if you have a kidney disorder, as Boldo Leaf can cause kidney irritation.
Not intended for use by nursing or pregnant women, those with an obstruction of the liver bile duct, or severe liver disease.
Excessive use of Boldo Leaf over a long period of time (3-4 weeks continuously) is not recommended.
Additional Information
PhytoVie manufactures a wide selection of therapeutic and aromatic teas. The PhytoVie manufacturing process guarantees the quality and consistency of each and every tea bag. Our buyers select only the highest premium quality teas each season, importing from around the world. Each tea bag contains only the finest quality ingredients.
