BOLDO PEUMUS BOLDUS MOLINA

BOLDO (Peumus boldus Molina) +

Synonym : Boldea fragrans (Ruiz & Pav.) Gay, Peumus fragrans Ruiz & Pav.

Activities (Boldo):
- Analgesic (f; BGB; CRC); Anticholinergic (1; BRU); Antiinflammatory (1; APA); Antioxidant (1; APA; BGB); Antirheumatic (f; EFS); Antiseptic (1; CAN; CRC; EFS); Antispasmodic (2; APA; BRU; KOM; PH2; SHT); Aperitif (2; PHR); Carcinogenic (1; CRC); Carminative (f; BGB); Cholagogue (2; APA; CAN; SHT); Cholekinetic (2; SHT); Choleretic (2; CRC; KOM; HHB; PH2; SHT); Demulcent (f; CAN); Diuretic (1; APA; BGB; CAN); Emetic (1; HHB); Gastrostimulant (2; APA; KOM; PH2); Hepatoprotective (1; APA; BGB); Hepatotonic (2; CAN; EFS; PNC); Hypnotic (f; CRC; HHB); Laxative (1; APA; HHB); Myorelaxant (1; APA; BGB; BRU); Narcotic (f; EFS); Nervine (f; BGB); Poison (f; CRC); Secretagogue (1; BRU; KOM); Sedative (f; APA; CAN; EFS; HHB); Stimulant (f; CRC); Stomachic (1; CAN; HHB); Tonic (f; CRC; EFS); Urinary Antiseptic (1; CAN); Vermicide (1; BGB; EFS); Vermifuge (f; CRC; HHB).

Indications (Boldo):
- Aging (1; APA); Anorexia (2; PHR); Atherosclerosis (1; APA); Autoimmune Disease (1; APA); Bilious Problem (2; APA; CAN; SHT); Cancer (1; APA); Cholecystosis (f; BGB; CAN; HHB); Cholelithiasis (1; CAN; HHB); Cold (f; CRC); Constipation (1; APA; HHB); Cough (f; CRC); Cramp (2; APA; BRU; KOM; PH2; SHT); Cystosis (1; CAN; PNC); Dyspepsia (2; APA; BGB; BRU; KOM; PH2); Enterosis (2; APA; KOM); Gallstone (1; CAN; HHB; PNC); Gas (f; BGB); Gastrosis (2; CRC; KOM); Gonorrhea (1; CAN; GMH; HHB);
Gout (f; APA; BGB; CRC); Head Cold (f; CRC); Heartburn (f; BGB; BRU); Hepatosis (2; APA; CAN; CRC; HHB; PHR); Hypertonia (2; KOM); Infection (1; CAN; CRC; EFS); Inflammation (1; APA); Insomnia (f; APA; CAN; EFS; HHB); Jaundice (f; CRC; GMH); Lethargy (f; EFS); Nephrosis (f; BGB); Nervousness (f; APA; CAN; EFS; HHB); Obesity (f; PNC); Otosis (f; CRC); Pain (f; BGB; CRC); Prostatosis (f; BGB); Rheumatism (f; APA; BGB; CAN; EFS); Stomachache (1; APA); Stone (1; BRU); Syphilis (f; CRC; HHB); Urogenitosis (f; GMH); VD (f; CRC; HHB); Water Retention (1; APA; BGB; CAN); Worm (1; APA; BGB; CRC; EFS; HHB); Wound (f; CRC).

Dosages (Boldo):
- 1 - 2 tsp (2-3 g) dry leaf/cup water (APA); 3 g dry leaf/day (KOM); 4.5 g dry leaf/day (PHR; PH2); 1 - 2 g leaf (HHB); 60 - 200 mg as tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 0.1 - 0.3 ml liquid extract (1:1 in 45% alcohol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 0.5 - 2 ml tincture (1:10 in 60% alcohol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 1 - 5 g tincture or elixir (HHB); 5 drops boldo oil for urogenitary problems (GMH).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Boldo):
- Class 2b (JAD) 2d. Contraindicated in gallstones, serious hepatosis, and obstruction of the bile duct (AHP). Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages (PH2). Still, PH2 cites an old source indicating that long-term consumption of boldine led to color hallucinations, depression, partial motor aphasia, and sound hallucinations (PH2). Commission E reports contraindications for leaf:
biliary obstruction, severe liver diseases. EO and distillates should not be used because of their ascaridole content (AEH). 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 (CAN). Its nice to be cited by Schulz, Hansel, and Tyler (1998), Because the herb contains substances that are potentially toxic (Duke, 1985), it is not recommended for long term use and should not be taken during pregnancy (SHT). But that could be carried as far as the Delaney Clause, since all herbs (like all pharmaceuticals) 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.

Extracts (Boldo) :
- High doses of the hydroalcoholic extract (= tincture) inhibit lipid peroxidation, (in rat hepatocyte cultures) and protect such hepatocytes against various xenobiotics (BRU). Although overdoses (injected) may cause cramping, boldine has anticholinergic activity, causing relaxation of smooth muscle (from the rat ileum) (BRU). EO LD50 = 130 orl rat; LD50 = 625 - 1250 mg/kg der rabbit (CAN). Convulsant 70 mg/kg (CAN). The diuretic terpinen-4-ol is irritant (CAN). Alkaloids probably underlie the choleretic activity. The total alkaloid content is more choleretic than boldine alone (PNC). Ascaridole is toxic.