Botanical Index No. 144

Boldo

peumus boldus

Medicinal Actions

Analgesic, Anticholinergic, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antirheumatic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Carcinogenic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Cholekinetic, Choleretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Gastrostimulant, Hepatoprotective, Hepatotonic, Hypnotic, Laxative, Myorelaxant, Narcotic, Secretagogue, Sedative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic, Urinary Antiseptic, Vermicide

Primary Conditions Treated

Aperitif Demulcent Nervine Poison Vermifuge Aging Anorexia Atherosclerosis Autoimmune Disease Bilious Problem Cancer Cholecystosis Cholelithiasis Cold Constipation Cough Cramp Cystosis Dyspepsia Enterosis Gallstone Gas Gastrosis Gonorrhea Gout Head Cold Heartburn Hepatosis Hypertonia Infection Inflammation Insomnia Jaundice Lethargy Nephrosis Nervousness Obesity Otosis Pain Prostatosis Rheumatism Stomachache Stone Syphilis Urogenitosis VD Water Retention Worm Wound

General Dosage

1–2 tsp dry leaf/cup water; 3 g dry leaf/day; 4.5 g dry leaf/day; 1–2 g leaf; 60–200 mg as tea, 3 ×/day; 0.1–0.3 ml liquid extract 3 ×/day; 0.5–2 ml tincture 3 ×/day; 1–5 g tincture or elixir; 5 drops boldo oil for urogenitary problems.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b 2d. Contraindicated in gallstones, serious hepatosis, and obstruction of the bile duct. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. Still, PH2 cites an old source indicating that long-term consumption of boldine led to color hallucinations, depression, partial motor aphasia, and sound hallucinations. Commission E reports contraindications for leaf: biliary obstruction, severe liver diseases. EO and distillates should not be used because of their ascaridole content. CAN caution against toxicity and irritation from the volatile oil. Because of the irritant oil, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. It’s nice to be cited by Schulz, Hansel, and Tyler, “Because the herb contains substances that are potentially toxic, it is not recommended for long term use and should not be taken during pregnancy”. But that could be carried as far as the Delaney Clause, since all herbs contain substances that are potentially toxic. Given internally in toxic doses, boldine causes great excitement, exaggerates reflexes and respiratory movements, increases diuresis, causes cramps and convulsions ending in death from centric respiratory paralysis, the heart beating some time after respiration fails.

!