Boldo is a medicinal plant from South America, also known as Chilean boldo, boldo afragans, or true boldo, widely used as a herbal remedy for the liver. Its scientific name is Peumus boldus Molina and its leaves for tea can be purchased at natural product stores, pharmacies, and even in the backyards of some homes.
Which Part of the Boldo Plant Is Used?
The part used from boldo are the dried leaves, which are great for preparing teas with diuretic and antiseptic properties1. However, what most people do not know is that the tea should not be consumed very frequently and that there is a specific way to take boldo.
Properties of Boldo
Boldo contains several components with antioxidant properties that help prevent diseases and aid in the elimination of free radicals. In addition, boldo has diuretic, antibiotic, laxative, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Indications
Boldo can treat liver and gallbladder problems2 by stimulating bile production and, in turn, treating related symptoms such as jaundice, hepatitis (not acute), or gallstones and cholelithiasis. Due to its laxative property, which reduces constipation and flatulence, boldo is also indicated in cases of indigestion and gastrointestinal discomfort as a whole.
It is also said that boldo has properties that help in the treatment of gout, cystitis, headache, earache, insomnia, and cold sweats. Its effects can be antispasmodic, anesthetic, sedative, tonic, and even vermifuge. It is also believed that boldo has the ability to thin the blood, preventing the formation of thrombosis.
How to Use Boldo
Boldo tea is prepared with its dried leaves, boiled in a cup of water for each tablespoon of chopped leaf. Then you should let the infusion stand covered for about 10 to 15 minutes before drinking.
For liver and gallbladder problems, it is recommended to drink a cup of boldo tea before each meal and before bed, for up to 3 weeks. Now, if the goal is to control diarrhea, half a glass of boldo tea several times a day, at short intervals, can help greatly to eliminate the infectious agent.
In cases of constipation, it is ideal to drink two glasses of boldo tea between meals, two to three times a day. For urinary infection or elevated uric acid, two cups of boldo tea per day are sufficient. Finally, if the focus is on controlling indigestion, the infusion should be taken before meals while the tea is still warm.
Important: boldo should not be consumed for a long period because after a few weeks it can cause side effects such as seizures, kidney failure, intestinal lesions, and even risk of death.
The ideal is to alternate the consumption of the tea: 1 week drinking, then 1 and a half weeks without drinking. Alternatively, it should be a specific treatment, not exceeding a period of 3 continuous weeks.
Contraindications of Boldo
Boldo tea is contraindicated for pregnant women because it has abortifacient potential, and for patients with inflamed and obstructed bile ducts or those with acute hepatitis or pancreatitis, as it may worsen the lesions3.
Boldo may also have drug interactions with anticoagulants and potentiate their effects, increasing the risk of hemorrhage. Therefore, patients taking these medications should not drink boldo. As a side effect, boldo tea may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nervous system problems.
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