Boldo Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Boldo Folium, Boldine, Boldus, Boldoak Boldea, Boldus Boldus
Scientific Name
Peumus Boldus
Why Do People Use Boldo?
The oral preparations of Peumus boldus (Boldo), such as boldo powder, are generally used for gonorrhea, gallstones, gastrointestinal (GI) spasms, cystitis, hepatic disease and rheumatism. Further, boldo powder is utilized as sedative, diuretic, antiseptic and bile stimulant.
Is It Safe To Use?
Possibly safe - Boldo powder is possibly safe when it is utilized in amounts usually found in food items. It has been given a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the US.
Possibly unsafe - Boldo is unsafe when it is utilized orally in medicinal form. Liver toxins, such as ascaridole, are part of its volatile oil. It is reported that Peumus boldus may inflict damages to liver functions. Therefore, only ascaridole free preparations should be used for medicinal items.
Possibly Unsafe in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding - Boldo powder is rich in hepatotoxic substances. Therefore, its use should be avoided in critical periods like pregnancy and lactation.
How Effective Is Boldo?
Regarding effectiveness of boldo powder there is insufficient reliable information available.
How Boldo Works?
The most effective part of boldo is its leaves, which contain 2.5% volatile oil which further contains the liver toxin ascaridole. Many pharmacological actions have been attributed to the constituents of boldo. These actions include stimulating stomach function, bile synthesis and flow and diuresis. The irritant volatile oil may causes mild urinary and diuretic problems. Some studies suggest that boldine, a constituent of boldo, may inhibit production of thromboxane A2, which is an antiplatelet substance.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Boldo?
Following oral consumption, boldo powder is believed to cause hepatotoxicity. Volatile oil formed from leaves of boldo possesses liver toxins. According to a report, a manufacturer reformulated their herbal laxative product to include boldo as well. Within five months of using that reformulated item, abdominal issues were reported in an 82 year old man. Other issue were also observed like GI upset including heartburn issues and elevated liver function tests, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase.
One case report is there where an individual experienced Ig-E mediated anaphylactic reaction after the oral consumption of Peumus boldus.
In another case report of a 39 year old obese lady, after 3 weeks utilization of a supplement containing boldo powder, bladder wrack and dandelion, developed side effects like syncope and palpitations. It is not clear whether boldo, some other separate ingredient or mixture of the ingredients caused those negative effects. That product was not analyzed for the presence of any toxic substance.
Irritation of skin has been reported after topical application of boldo.
How Boldo Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Antiplatelet /Anticoagulant Supplements and Herbs - Concomitant use of boldo powder with supplements and herbs that inhibit the aggregation of platelets can further enhances the potential risks of bleeding. Such herbs include clove, angelica, ginger, danshen, garlic, Panax ginseng, ginkgo and others.
Hepatotoxic Supplements and Herbs
There are some concerns regarding Peumus boldus that it may cause hepatotoxicity. Some clinical experiments have shown that hepatotoxic products and boldo may enhances potential risks of liver damage. Such products include chaparral, androstenedione, DHEA, comfrey, niacin, germander, red yeast and pennyroyal oil.
How Boldo Interacts With Drugs?
Antiplatelet/ Anticoagulant Drugs - This represents a moderate interaction of boldo powder with other drugs. Careful monitoring is required in this case. Concomitant use of boldo powder with drugs that inhibit the aggregation of platelets can further enhance the potential risks of bleeding and bruising. Some of these drugs are, heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox and others), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil and others), enoxaparin, dalteparin and other drugs.
Hepatotoxic Drugs - This is another moderate interaction of boldus powder with other drugs. There are some concerns regarding Peumus boldus that it may cause hepatotoxicity. Some clinical experiments have shown that combined use of hepatotoxic drugs and boldo may enhances potential risks of liver damage. Some hepatotoxic drugs include amiodarone, acarbose (Prandase, Precose), azathioprine, atorvastatin, cerivastatin (Baycol), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate, diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin, fenofibrate (Tricor), isoniazid, gemfibrozil (Lopid), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole, leflunomide and some ither drugs.
Lithium - The concomitant use of boldus and lithium represents an interaction of moderate nature. Close monitoring is suggested in such cases to prevent the side effects caused by lithium over dose. Theoretically, boldo may decrease exertion and increase lithium levels due to its diuretic effects. To decrease this effects, a decrease in the dosage of lithium might be needed.
Warfarin (Coumadin) - Be careful of this interaction of moderate intensity. There are some case reports where boldo showed some side effects like additive reactions with warfarin and enhanced the international normalized ratio (INR).
How Boldo Interacts With Foods?
Alcohol - Theoretically, mixture of alcohol and boldo powder may enhance potential risks of hepatotoxicity.
How Boldo Interacts With Lab Tests?
Not known.
How Boldo Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Liver Disease - There have been ample number of cases where Peumus boldus resulted in liver damage and deranged liver function tests. Therefore, using boldo may aggravate current diseases of liver. So, liver disease patients should be advised not to take boldo powder or related products.
Surgery - Boldo possesses antiplatelet effects. If it utilized preoperatively, excessive bleeding may result due to its ability to inhibit the aggregation of platelets. So, such patients should be advised that they stop using boldo powder two weeks before elective surgical process.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Boldo?
There is no typical dosage of boldo.
Generally, it is used in the form of dried leaves with dosage of 60-200 mg thrice every day or in the form of tea thrice every day. Tea is made by steeping 1 gram of dried leaves in almost 150 mL hot boiling water for continuously 5 to 10 min.
The liquid extract of boldo is used in a ratio of 1:1 in 45% alcoholic acid with dosage of -0.1-0.3 mL thrice every day.
Boldo tincture is utilized in ratio of 1:1 in 60% alcoholic acid and dosage should be 0.5-2 mL, used thrice every day.
Comments
Boldo is a plant belonging to the South American region. In Chile, thirteen thousand years old boldo trees have been discovered. The hands of human beings were found imprinted on these old boldo trees.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
