Boldo: benefits, dosage, contraindications

Mis à jour le 8 November 2025

Boldo is an evergreen shrub native to the Andean regions of South America and mainly cultivated in Chile. This plant is recognizable by its oval, gray-green leaves, which are thick, leathery, and rough to the touch. The leaves, harvested between summer and autumn, are traditionally used for their medicinal properties. Boldo leaves are rich in alkaloids, notably boldine, which is the main active compound. They also contain between 2 to 3% essential oils, with components such as p-cymene and ascaridole, as well as flavonoids and a small amount of coumarin. Standardized to ensure consistent quality and efficacy, Boldo must contain a minimum of 0.1% alkaloids expressed as boldine and at least 2.0% essential oils. Historically, Boldo has been used by Chilean indigenous peoples as a hepatic tonic, carminative, and diuretic, among other uses. Known in Europe since the 1880s, Boldo is especially valued for its beneficial action on hepatobiliary disorders. It is traditionally employed to relieve dyspepsia related to biliary insufficiency, gastrointestinal spasms, and as a support in the treatment of gout and certain metabolic problems.

Scientific name(s)

Peumus boldus

Family or group:

Plants

Active ingredients:

Boldine

p-cymene

Indications

Scoring methodology

EFSA approval.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with positive conclusions for the indication.

One or more randomized studies, or several cohorts or epidemiological studies, with positive conclusions for the indication.

Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or conflicting.

No clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.

Biliary disorders
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Boldo is traditionally used to treat biliary dyspepsia and other hepatobiliary disorders thanks to its alkaloid constituents and essential oils. nn

Posologie

Oral administration: leaf

60 - 200 mg

dry extract

Phytotherapy as an ancillary treatment after urinary stone lithotripsy in pediatric patients

Digestive spasms
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Boldo is recognized for its antispasmodic effects, particularly useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal spasms. According to EMA recommendations, boldo is used for the symptomatic relief of dyspepsia and mild spasmodic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, confirming its historical use and benefits in the management of digestive disorders.nnnnnnnnnnnn

Posologie

Oral administration: leaf

60 - 200 mg

dry extract

Phytotherapy Advice, Guide for the Prescriber. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.
European Union herbal monograph on Peumus boldus Molina, folium

Properties

Hepatoprotective

Research shows that boldo has hepatoprotective properties, particularly against damage caused by hepatotoxic agents such as cisplatin. This protection is attributed to the catechins in boldo, which have significant antioxidant effects. These compounds effectively prevent lipid peroxidation in hepatic microsomes and reduce the activity of cytochrome P4502E1, thereby limiting oxidative damage to the liver. Boldine, another active component, also contributes to this protection by inhibiting cellular damage without reducing cisplatin's anticancer efficacy.

Usages associés

Biliary disorders

Phytotherapy Advice, Guide for the Prescriber. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.

Antioxidant

Boldo leaves contain flavonoids such as catechin and alkaloids such as boldine, which have significant antioxidant effects. These components neutralize free radicals and protect cells against oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Phytotherapy Advice, Guide for the Prescriber. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.

Digestive effect

Boldo promotes digestion by stimulating bile production through its alkaloids, which helps break down fats. Its antispasmodic properties also help reduce spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby improving digestive comfort. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by boldo increases gastrointestinal motility, facilitating the transit of food through the digestive system.

Usages associés

Digestive spasms

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant activity, and toxicity of Peumus boldus water extracts on HeLa and Caco-2 cell lines
Phytotherapy Advice, Guide for the Prescriber. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.

Safe dosage

Adult: 60 mg - 200 mg (dry extract)

- Infusion: 1-2 g of crushed herb in 150 ml of boiling water, 2-3 times a day.nn- Dry extract: daily dose 60-200 mg.nnnnBoldo can be potentially dangerous when taken orally in medicinal amounts. The volatile oil (2.5% in the leaf) contains ascaridole, a hepatotoxic toxin. nn

Interactions

Médicaments

Tacrolimus: moderate interaction

Possible interaction with tacrolimus (decreased plasma levels).

Warfarin: low interaction

Increased anticoagulant effect of warfarin due to anticoagulant coumarins in boldo.

Contraindications

Pregnant women: prohibited

Boldo is potentially dangerous when taken orally in medicinal amounts. In animals, boldo and the constituent boldine have abortifacient and teratogenic effects. In addition, the boldo constituent ascaridole is a hepatotoxic toxin.nnnn

Breastfeeding women: prohibited

Not recommended for breastfeeding women.nn

Biliary tract obstruction: prohibited

Hepatic insufficiency: prohibited

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